Tire replacement dilemma.

Read the Rolling Resistance Rating thread

JeffD

 

I spent much too much time trying to determine which replacement tire to buy, however, I just ordered Michelin PRIMACY MSV4's.

Both my wife and I HATED the Goodyear Integrity OEMs because they were very very noisey at highway speeds; at the Toyota recommended PSI they gave a very harsh ride; and they wore poorly. In fact, the only two complaints which I have had with the 2004 Prius is the noisey tires (even with windows up and A/C on) and the difficulty in starting and completing fueling-up. Otherwise I just love it, especially now that gasolene prices are so high!

In case you are interested in why I bought one of the more expensive "Deluxe Touring All-Season" tires, believe me, it was not an easy decision. I think one of these new tires installed will cost me as much as the four tires I last bought for another car!

I wanted the following key capabilities: 1) quiet and smooth riding, even over moderate road blemishes; 2) low rolling resistance; 3) very safe handling & braking in all dry and wet conditions; 4) long lasting; and 5) acceptable performance in light snow or ice. I read the information carefully in Consumer Reports, on-line tire shops, and on some Prius chatrooms. Every time I thought that I was ready to pick one, I realized that it was weak in one or more of the previous selection criteria. I spent a lot of my research concentrating on "performance" tires, and on over-sized tires to have a larger selection, before I realized that "performance" tires would likely fail in my first criteria, "quiet and smooth handling", and two Toyota dealerships really disuaded me from buying over-sized tires. As a result, I had to go back to the drawing board. That brought me to researching "Touring" tires in the original. When I read that the Michelin PRIMACY MXV4 tires were rated the "premier tire among premier tires", and studied the test results, I decided that I had to buy them.

By the way, if one buys them (or other Michelin tires, between 1/7 & 2/3/08 at a Costco's, you can save a lot of money, including a month-long discount. We don't have one close enough, and we never shop there, so I ended up ordering them from a highly rated local tire store.

Sorry for the long story, but I felt that you might benefit from reading all the details and thus be able to skip some of the steps in your own search.

 

I like the Michilin MXV4+ tires in the stock size. We have last year's version, but they are basically the same. They are good all-season tires, and much better all around than the OEM tires. We haven't noticed any drop in mileage.

Tom

 

S or X?

 

Tom. You have the Energy's, right? I note that on the Michelin site it show yours as being "EnergySaver Construction". It does not state the same for the Primacy. Hmmmm

 

I have a set of Primacy MXV4+ on order at Costco. They should be in this week (stock size).
It'll be tuff for me to compare right now, since we are deluged with rain. My mileage dropped 5mpg (down to 45 mpg) last week due to enough rain on the freeway to create a "bow wave" from everyone's tires.
I will have them broken in within one week (1k miles) and I'll report back in a couple of weeks.
I have CTs now and got 67k out of them.

 

The MXV4+ Energy tires were replaced this year by the Primacy, which is basically the same time with some improvements.

Tom

 

I think there is a bit confusion here.
There still are Michelin Energy MXV4 (Plus, S8) tires available, but only the wider ones (195, 205+).
See this link:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes.jsp?make=Michelin&model=Energy+MXV4+Plus

 

if you can hold on till february, i've heard that michelin will be releasing their new "energy saver" tire in the U.S. it debuted at the frankfurt motor show exclusively on the new peugeot 704 and claims a 20% - 4MPG increase in mileage due to lower rolling resistance.

 

I found a Tech article on TireRack that contends that rolling resistance may be blown a bit out of proportion. In the article, they compare figures of a high resistance high perf. tire with a low resist. OEM. And they conclude it is just not that big of deal.

If you figure most tires are somewhere in the middle of the sticky high perf. and the low resist. tires, then the difference is even more minimal. And then compare the prices of the ultra low vs. the standard All-season, whatever you save in gas may be eaten up by extra cost.

At any rate, some interesting info: http://www.tirerack.com/tires-techpage-1/29.shtml

 

I have an 06 with 29000. I did what Toyota asked and went back to front with out crossing. My tires on the right (passenger) side arre still good but the left side is worn on the outside edge. Michelin says cross the front to the rear. then move the rear to the front on same side. If I had done this I woudl have gotten 40M on my original Goodyear's
I have ordered Michelin PRIMACY MSV4'S,like you I read all the info and found I could not get better. Paid $106 installed and balanced at Piedmont Tire, Piedmont SC and will get them some time next week.
Let me know what you thiink when yours arrive.

After approx 1000 miles I can say I do have at least a 2 mpg loss in mileage. I agree the car drives better and less tire noise. I have increased air pressure to 42/40 but still the 2 mpg loss.

 

I don't know why you think you will take a 5-10 mpg hit with better gripping (but higher rolling resistance) tires. A lot of us have gotten wider and better gripping tires and only experienced a 0-3 mpg hit.

Personally, I like the Goodyear Assurance TripleTreds. I have them in the wider 195/60/15 size, and as far as I can tell, I'm only experiencing about a 1-2 mpg hit. Meanwhile, they grip like glue on dry and wet roads, and grip about as well as an all season tire is going to grip on snow and ice.

Besides the Goodyear Assurance TripleTreds, there are lots of passenger all season tires available like the Goodyear Assurance ComforTreds you mentioned, the Michelin HydroEdge, the Michelin Harmony (called Destiny at Discount Tire), which perform much better and longer than the Integrity, and which should not result in much of a mpg hit.

If you haven't done so already, I recommend checking out nyprius' excellent thread on the subject, entitled "Tire Upgrade: Lessons Learned". You should at minimum read nyprius' excellent initial post on the subject. Here's a link to the thread:

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-modifications/20573-tire-upgrade.html

Good luck.

 

I am having a similar dilemma!! I would like some feedback from folks on whether I should upgrade to a larger size (195/60). I really need new tires and am looking at Good Year Assurance Triple Tread, Kumho Solus KR21 and Michelin Primacy MXV4. I have read most of the previous threads on the topic of tires and am still totally confused!

Does anyone have experience with these brands at the larger size 195/60?

Was gas mileage or road clearance compromised?

I need something that is good in wet and dry. We get a little snow and ice ocassionally here in North Georgia.

Thanks.
gena

 

Primacy MXV4+ REPORT

I have 1k on my Michelin Primacy MXV4+, stock size, same 37 psi. About 70k total miles on my 2006

Compared to the Goodyear CT (lasted 68k !):
Michelins "rumble" more below 55mph (I'm checking for a bent rim tonight).
Michelins steering slowness is about the same.
Michelins dart around more on grooved highways.

Michelins are a MILLION times quieter, like about 15 dB using my PDA sound pressure software(very approximent).

Gas mileage : maybe a 1-2 mpg hit, it's hard to tell with the weather going from 32 -62 F in a few days over the last 2 weeks.

 

I've been researching the tire issue the last couple of weeks also. My prius is brand new (2800 miles). I made the decision to ge ahead and invest in a top notch tire. I just stopped in at Discount tire today to order them. Michellin is offering a $60 rebate on a set of tires. They are also giving me $25/tire for my existing GY Integreties that came on the car, which is one reason I decided to purchase now, while my existing tires were worth something. My total investment will be under $400 for Michelin Destinies. Given the importance of the tires relative to safety and driving experience, I believe it is a no-brainer to invest in a decent tire.

I went with the same size, 185/65. Maybe next set I'll try the 195/60, but I wanted to see how these do with mpg first. I can't wait to get them on.

 

Yet another reason to take mileage with a grain of salt. Different tire sizes produce different mpg readings despite using the same amount of gasoline. I believe the 195/60 gives a mpg reading closer to the actual.

 

New Tires Just Shy of 36k

Just took the plunge today after a week or so of casual shopping. Had just under 36K on originals. Didn't need replacement right away, but have an upcoming trip to LAX from PHX and back over a 3 day period and didn't want to push my luck.

Evaluated the Goodyear Comfrot Treads because of positive things read here. Discount Tire had them, but felt that the Michelin Destiny was comprable, (in fact they told me the Goodyear product was a direct response to the Destiny tire) but better suited to our summer weather because of the silicon base.

With the full Discount Tire lifelong replacement for road hazards and the regular Michelin warranty I was out the door for $524 total including all taxes and still have a $60 dollar rebate coming from Michelin.

I thought it was a pretty good deal. Just got the 6/100K warranty through Troy so I'm betting this will be the last tire I need on this Prius.

Will provide input on how I like them and what, if any effect on mileage.

Anyone have ideas on optimal tire pressure?