Michelin HydroEdge experiences?

Hi 1rocket..,

I changed out the Integrities at 5000 miles on my car to Hydroedges. Discount Tire had a sale, and also gave a reasonable credit for the Integrities. I also had a scary slide in traffic which convinced me. It was one of those days , the first rain in a couple weeks, when the roads are greasy.

I like them. They do make noise at low speed - kinda like a womp-womp-womp. This is from the factory siping which improves wet weather stoping. The mileage is a little worse. Some people say 2 to 4 mpg worse. Although, I am in the mid 60's mpg right now. The mileage will be quite a bit worse for the first 1000 miles, however. Just like it was with the Integrities.

The tires have silica in the coumpound, which helps with wet weather stoping, reduces heating of the tread (which helps gas mileage), and improves tread wear. Most LRR tires have high silica content.

My tires are wearing mostly flat, but I am running at 42/40 psi.

I had these tires on my SL2 before the Prius, and the change was dramatic vesus the stock Firestone tires. Stopping distance on a damp road was down by 1 to 2 car lengths from 40 mph. Freeway handling was dramatically better.

 

I got my hydroedges about a year ago. Actually I got a wider size, which I do not recommend. Yes, any tire will lower your mileage during the break in period as the newness is worn off the tire. My mileage dropped 6-10 mpg. BUT, that's back up now. After conferring with others on this site who had these tires, we pumped them up to 50-48 and the mileage jumped right back up.

I you purchase the OEM size, your mileage drop should not be significant, but at least during the breakin period, you may want to pump them up to maybe 44-42 or so.

I like my tires and after a year, having now driven them in all seasons of the year here in the mountains, i'd buy them again, but i wouldn't get the 205 width, I'd stay with tjhe 185 size.

Good luck!!

 

I have them on my '05. Great wet weather handle, no snow yet though. Great handling all around. I've not noticed any extra noise or MPG hit.

 

This will pretty much echo the others. Pros: better handling than Integritys (wet and dry pavement), much better tread life (about 19K miles now and little wear). Cons: an estimated 5-10% fuel economy hit at first (much of which has been regained), somewhat noisier.

 

They're great! My first set, which didn't have as good of a tread rating as the newer ones, lasted 4 winters. Getting a second set was a no-brainer. I definitely recommend them.

.

 

Another thumbs up for the Michelin HydroEdges. I've had them on my 2004 for 50k miles, running at 42/40 psi. Now, they are wearing at the edges, but center is still good. Rotating them every 6,000 miles - they are unidirectional. Much better all around than the Integrities -- with big improvement in the rain & snow. But noiser. Tirerack members like them, and so does Consumer Reports.
If I don't go try Goodyear TripleTreds next time, I would repurchase the HydroEdges.

 

I like the 195/60/15 size, as opposed to the OEM 185/65/15.

It promises better and safer handling and braking distances, but probably around 2 fewer mpg.

Considering the poor handling and braking distances of the Standard Prius, that's a trade I'd be willing to make any day of the week.

 

I think it will improve your stopping distances the most, and also improve some cornering and handling, but should cost some fuel economy.

In a previous car I went from the stock width of 195 to a 205 width and at most lost 1 - 2 MPG, but that car only got 32 MPG (so that might have been about a 5 % loss)

Check with your tire dealer because many have started to adopt a new policy that they wont put a tire that is of a non OEM size on your car.

 

My hydroedges are approaching 50K old by now; still going along
fine although they've gotten a bit noisy because I had a slight
misalignment of the right-rear wheel that caused minor feathering,
and then I swapped that tire to the front [different camber] and
it was a lot noisier. [Said misalignment has since been fixed, as
far as I can tell.] But none of this affects tracking/turning/grip,
and at this point I'm actually relieved to see some other reports
of noisier operation because I thought it was just me. I'll
run 'em till they die, which will probably be well over another
50K on them so it'll take a while. Not sure if I'll go with another
set of HEs then or try moving to one of the Energy MX-series.
.
I run mid-fifties pressure, doing mid-sixties MPG tank to tank
in typical local mixed driving, and the wear is dead-even [other
than the slightly feathered bits]. I've crawled my way out of
some fairly hairy snow situations with them, too.
.
And I think the V-tread just looks kinda cool.
.
_H*

 

My experience after ~5k miles:

Pros:
- They look great
- Grip is excellent
- Supposedly they will last a long time

Cons:
- They are noisy
- They are noisy
- I probably lost ~2mpg because I went with the 195 size

Next time I would opt for the X Radial from Costco.

 

Hobbit, your info was helpful. I've been running my Integrities at 50/48 and they are about at their end. The outside edge is worn the most. Center and inside a bit less.

I'm wondering if others who are running the HydroEdges at 50+ psi have the same experience as Hobbit's even wear. I'm guessing I'll take a slight hit in mpg running the HydroEdges at the same psi as my Integrities, right?

PA P

 

Mid-fifties psi, Hobbit ? I'm under the impression the sidewall max is 42 or 44 psi.

I bought these tyres less than a month ago. so no winter experience or exciting driving to report yet. Set at 42 front and 40 psi rear they are quiet, and after 1000 miles mpg is about 97% of what I expect on the highway.

 

I too run 50+ with even wear after about 20K miles. Tread depth measurement about 3K miles ago verified even wear. Visual assessment since then suggests the pattern (or lack thereof) continues.

Your statement about the fuel economy hit is correct.

 

Thanks JimboK and SageBrush. I really wish I could find a tire that would improve rather than decrease my mileage, but I guess you just can't beat a set of bald Integrities!

PA P

 

So true, PA Prius !

 

I think I'm sold on trying a set of Nokian i3s. Several folks have actually reported mpg improvements over the Integrities, as well as much better handling, traction, and wear. Before that I was seriously considering buying a set of "pre-broken in" (used) Integrities off ebay Only bummer is I'll either have to have them shipped from MN, or drive to Colorado to get them. Not a lot of call for Nokians in Phoenix apparently

Rob

 

Actually my current Integrities I got off this site-- next to new, $80. for four, including shipping from CA to PA. Sure I'd do it again! Yes, the Nokian's have sounded attractive to me too.

PA P

 

I've got 30K on my hydroedges, and totally HATE them.

As many have commented, they are VERY NOISY. In fact, it appears the more miles you put on, the noisier they get. With every tire rotation you go through a 3K mile period of LOUD tires - even though my Prius dealer has checked my alignment every 10K. It's embarrassing how noisy.

IMHO, for $125/each tires it's nothing less than a ripoff. I've written Michelin about them, and gotten no response.

I had MXV-4's on my Prius before (put them on right after I got the car), and they only lasted 30K before getting really slippery in the rain.

I will probably toss the Hydroedges in the spring and get something more reasonable - aka NOT MICHELIN.