I know there are a lot of tire threads here, but really what I am looking for are the best (generally agreed upon) tires for the Prius that money can buy. My stocks are going to be replaced soon, so what are the best tires with regards to fuel economy? I have to mention that I live in the Northeast so the tires have to be somewhat capable in the snow, no worse then the stock tires (which handle just fine in bad weather). Price is no option.
Doza, if you read histories of PC you'll find those of us who switched to Michelins (hydroedge on ours) have nothing but good to say. We have over 70K miles on 'em and you'd be hard pressed to tell they're even worn. costco has a sale once or twice a year, which really helps on the price, too .
If you want to be an "early adopter" Michelin has a brand new low rolling resistance green tire in an AS configuration. So new there are no reviews out yet.
I have the GoodYear Assurance Triple Treds in the slightly wider 195/60 R15 and they have improved the stability and handling over the stock tires as well as improving stopping distances. I have retained close to the same mileage that I had when I was on the stock tires, (currently averaging between 57 MPG and 62 MPG depending on the daily weather). Most importanatly the tires drive remarkably well on the snow (I live in Northeast Ohio) and rain where the Stock tires would slip on occassions. I personally think that they are the best all around tires you can buy for your Prius. And Made in the USA if that is worth anything to you.
I would go with Michelin Energy Saver A/S. Energy Saver A/S: MICHELIN® Automotive Tires: Michelin Tires
I have to agree 100%!! I have the 195/60/15 also and they have transformed the vehicle. They handle great, rain performance is outstanding. When it rains and you're driving, you actually don't even realize it is raining as there is not even a hint of slippage or hydroplaning. They are relatively quiet and the snow performance is good. Only other tire I'd consider in the future would be the Nokian WR G2. They're a little harder to find but if you're in the snow belt and don't want to change out your tires, this tire has excellent snow performance and is still considered a four season tire. Lastly, take a look at tirerack. There is a tire made by General Tire called the Altimax HP? (something like that). Anyway, the tread pattern is quite similar to the Goodyear Tripletred and the reviews are nearly identical too. What's nice about the General tires is that they're much cheaper than the Goodyear.
I have 185/65-15 Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max on order for my 07 Prius. Should I have considered the 195/60-15 option? I don't really have much issue with the OEM tires (other than they are at 3/32 now)... I guess I figured the extra width would just equate to more rolling resistance and/or air resistance.
See Seawolf's post above (and thanks, Seawolf, for the detail - I'm at work and didn't want to do a long search to find that previous thread :typing: )
it does add to the rolling resistance but you are talking about 10 MM of width, but what it does provide you in stability, shorter emergency braking distance, and improved cornering greatly outweighs the loss of MPG. In fact many of you may be surprised that in Japan and Europe the standard size is a 195 width as it is also here with the touring.
Well, the 185/65 size is slightly cheaper than the 195/60 (at least at TireRack)... I'll have to see if they have the 185/65 in stock --- if not, I'll have to inquire about the wider size. Has anybody actually used the Goodyear Fuel Max in either size? What are your initial opinions? I went back and reread a bunch of threads on Fuel Max... No real negative reviews, that I could find. I think unless I either can't get them or a bunch of negative reviews pop up in the next 24 hrs, I'll be sticking with the OEM size.
Nolian WR G3 all season. A fantastic all season tire that hold the road like glue,,, is great in the rain,, and is the best all season in the snow,, bar none! I thought I would take a mileage hit with the aggressive tread design,, but so far my mileage has stayed ~52,, this after a 7,000 mile trip. Icarus
i upgraded to the 205 size in the hydroedge tire. It does reduce mileage a bit. now have mine pumped up to 50-48 to get the same mileage i was getting on the OEM tires. the hydroedge are simply great tires IMHO. I would certainly suggest getting the OEM width though
I'd say the best all season tires are the TripleTreds. But if you don't care how much money you spend, a better idea would be two sets of tires - one for summer, and one for winter - already mounted on rims. And if you think the stock tires handle just fine, you're in for a surprise when you get new ones.
Ok. Those Michelin Energy Savers really intrigue me. Also the Goodyear Fuel Max. I probably won't change the width, as I relly haven't an issue with my current size. Anyone have the Energy Savers?
If fuel economy truly is the most important criterion it's really hard to beat the Integrities. The user data I've seen show that the ones named above can do as well, but little if any better. Still, next time I'll try the Assurance Fuel Max. The Integrities are not lasting more than about 25k miles for me, and the nearest Nokian seller is about 60 miles away.
I seem to recall a post indicating one person has the new Energy Saver AS tires, but I think they're too new for much data to be available. I was going to try them but ended up spending half as much on a set of Falken ZE-912's (I figured at half as much I could also buy snow tires for winter in 4 months - I am partial to the Hankook Icebear, having used them on 2 cars so far). I will have the Falkens removed and the snow tires put on the stock rims, then in spring buy some aftermarket wheels for the Falkens.
I too have the Falkens and really don't like them very much. I have the 195H60-15 ones and my mileage dropped by 4-5 mpg and they catch grooves a lot and the car feels very squirrley compared to the hydroedge tires. Mine have 8K on them and I'll be looking to sell them very soon.
My stock 07 Prius tires need to be replaced with only 25k miles on them. Costco has the BFGoodrich Traction T/A tires for 71.99 each and Michelin X Radial tires for 105.99 each and the Michelins have a $70 discount with coupon. Any recommendations on which tires I should get?