Read about tires till I went crosseyed. Found two excellent links, one ranking tires by performance and one by rolling resistance. Not surprisingly they seem mutually exclusive; good road grip increases rolling resistance. So--I need good traction on gravel roads with steep grade, but I would also like maximum fuel economy on pavement. Is there a good compromise? Thanks, Jeff
Not only are there good compromises, but you can get both. There are two that I know of that provide good grip and low rolling resistance: Michilen makes the MXV4 Primacy (used to be the MXV4+ Energy), and Nokian makes the WRG2. Both are good tires. It seems the Michilen is slightly quieter, while the Nokian is a bit better in the snow. Both are very good. Tom
Not that I'm a tire expert by any definition, but I've decided to get the Nokian WR G2 tires based on the recommendations I've read here. I'm getting them for their good summer driving and winter (snow) driving performance. Not that you'll have much need for snow tires, though.
Greenlady, you will love the Nokians. They aren't magic, that is, you can still have problems in snow/ice, but they are better than most tires. They are low rolling resistance (I saw no decrease in mileage when I put on my WRs - the older model Nokian WR). Nokian claim the WRs are "as good as the Mich. Ice tire". Pearl handles much better on warm dry roads as well. In fact, she can go around corners faster than I'd like most of the time! THAT is what you want in a tire! The Nokian WR G2 is the second generation version. It has 1/2 "summer tire tread" and 1/2 "standard WR tread".
I just read another thread on tires, but it covers the last 4 years. Living in Montana, with winter driving on slick sometimes icy roads here in town, and driving in the summer 110 miles one way each wkend on a fairly smooth winding road, then the last 5 miles on a steep gravel road (carefully!) I am leaning to the Michelin Hydro edge, or Nokian WRG2 (if they sell those in Bozeman) or perhaps MXV4 (which I understand is nosiy on the open road, something that I don't necessary want to contend with). Anyone else out there in a similiar situation and what tires do you have? One reason I am leaning to the Michelins is that they are sold at Costco. Previously I have bought tire for my chevy truck and honda pilot at Big O (I believe they are Goodyears) because of free relacement due to a bad puncture. I have had many free tires. Hey, this is Montana and dirt roads are some of the best (and only) places for getting to trail heads, although the Prius will rest in the garage on those ocassions.
I have the Michelin MXV4+ Energy, which was the predecessor to the MXV4 Primacy. I don't know about the new Primacy version, but ours are not noisy on the open road. They are a lot quieter than the OEM Goodyear Integrity tires. Tom
For people who have changed tires on their Prius, did you specifically instruct the tire shop to use the sticker-weight, instead of the regular wheel weight (hammer on the rim edge)? I realize the Prius wheels are using the sticker-weight for balancing, wonder if the tire shop will hammer the rim weights on if I foget to mention it......what's your experience with the Tire shop so far?
They were about to use hammer-on rim weights for the new tire set I got (as I watched through the in-store window). Just in time I was able to notify the store manager and they used the stickers instead. Glad I caught it. I got the MXV4 Primacy's and I love them. I had the stock BS (bridgestone hehe) Turanza EL400-02's removed before I put 1000 miles on my '08. There are several good threads about the Michelin's here on PC.
Re:tire question I've had the new Nokians now for about 2,000 miles...great tires...I've experienced better stability on the highway and better grip in snow. Its hard to tell if I took a MPG hit because I put the tires on in late Nov when its been cold. It "feels" that the car doesn't glide quite as far as it usually did ....but last week I had some extended 100 to 120 mile round trips and averaged about 50-51 mpg.
I have the previously named Michelin MVX4+ Energy tires on our Volvo S60 and like them quite a bit but am also interested in the Nokian WRG2. Is the Nokian considered a year-round tire? By the way, with regard to those defenders of the OEM Goodyears, I'm hitting low tread at under 20k so I won't be joining that camp. Rather, can't wait to get them off.
