Michelin Energy AS "green" tire report

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Rangerdavid, Aug 28, 2009.

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  1. Rangerdavid

    Rangerdavid Senior Member

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    Got a new set of tires from Costco today. Took off my old Hydroedge tires that were size 205 and replaced them with the OEM size Michellin Energy AS tires.

    First off the most immediately noticable thing was the noise level. These tires are MUCH quieter than the Hydroedge. They seem more responsive too, but what I mean by that is the wheel seems to turn with less effort. Going from a 205 to a 185 size tire puts less tread on the ground and hence less resistance. not as wide, so probably less stability. I anticipate noticing that at some point.

    Costco put 'em on and pumped them up to 42-40 with the hydrogen. These tires are definatly a less rolling resistance than the hydroedge and the difference is noticable.

    Now for a mileage report. I drove from Greensboro, NC to Durham NC on the interstate (I-40) with the cruise set at 65. From point to point I got right at 58.1 mpg. No kidding!! 58.1!!!!! that my friends, has my totally freaked out!!!

    On the way home, which is all uphill, going from 900 ft. ASL in greensboro to 4000 ft. where we live I my average upon reaching the house was 50.6. Not bad IMHO>

    So I have about 350 miles on the tires. Probably 70 % of it driving in rain, heavy rain, and sprinkles. they handle very well. So far I am very happy. No "break in" mileage hit at all!! and so much less noise!

    I'll update this thread from time to time, especially during the next couple of weeks with all pertinent observations, and will happily answer any questions.

    Only down side was they were not cheap tires. right aroung $600 with the tax and disposal on the old ones.

    :D
    RD
     
    #1 Rangerdavid, Aug 28, 2009
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  2. DGH

    DGH Thread Terminator

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    Costco put 'em on and pumped them up to 42-40 with the hydrogen. These tires are definatly a less rolling resistance than the hydroedge and the difference is noticable.


    Just wait until the tires "heat up".:D
     
    #2 DGH, Aug 29, 2009
  3. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    [emphasis added]

    Oh great, now we're going to get hundreds of million of mini-Hindenburgs on the road.

    Have you re-checked your odometer or speedometer calibration since this tire change? Just want to make sure the improved mpg is not partially caused by a different tire rolling diameter.
     
    #3 fuzzy1, Aug 29, 2009
  4. RolfS

    RolfS Junior Member

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    I wonder how long they will last. The treadwear index is 460 for the Integrity and is 480 for the AS. Not much difference. So expect them to wear out faster than your HydroEdge (treadwear 800).

    I'm looking for a new set now. I have Michelin Harmony (treadwear 740), except that they don't want to wear out, but the tread is getting noisy, even though there is no visible indication of uneven wear. Plenty of tread left at 85k miles one them
     
    #4 RolfS, Aug 29, 2009
  5. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    The more tread depth, the higher rolling resistance a tire is. For that reason, you won't find many LRR tires with more than 10/32 tread.

    Goodyear Integrity: 10/32 |460
    Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max: 11/32 | 620
    Bridgestone Ecopia EP100: 10/32 | 400
    Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus: 9/32 | 400
    Michelin Hydroedge with Green X: 11/32 | 800
    Michelin Energy Saver AS: 9/32 | 480

    Energy Saver AS seems to be the lowest rolling resistance but with shorter tread life.

    Hydrogedge with Green X may not be the lowest rolling resistance but it gives you the best bang for the buck. On tirerack it is cheaper ($109 vs $120) than the Energy Saver AS.
     
    #5 usbseawolf2000, Aug 29, 2009
  6. Rangerdavid

    Rangerdavid Senior Member

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    when I installed the hydroedge tires in the 205 size a couple of years ago, I never had the speedometer calibrated. The tires were the same diameter, just wider. Width shouldn't make any difference in the speed read out.

    Therefore, having installed these in the OEM size, if there was any difference with the hydros, all should be back to normal now.

    Drove into town this afternoon (back here in the mountains again) and it seems like on that short trip I realized about a 1.5 mpg difference (to the good). What I want to do is take at least a week of daily trips and compare with my records of previous trips. same trips, same distances, virtually identical conditions (i.e. before it gets too cold here) and then I think I can give you all a much better and more informative report.

    Still, so far, so good, and these are MUCH quiter without any doubt!


    RolfS, yes the treadwear rating was a concern, but we'll see. I do get my tires rotated regularly, and I intend to get a front end alignment this week to eliminate any possible issues there (I dont feel any pull driving, but its time to get it done)

    Fuzzy1, this nitro (*edited* changed from hydro) is not flamable. It also prevents such a wide fluctuation in tire pressure due to changes in outside air temps and due to the tires heating up while driving. I will eventually add regular air which will dilute the nitro and create a mix. I've done it before with no issues at all, so no worries.
     
    #6 Rangerdavid, Aug 29, 2009
  7. jburns

    jburns Senior Senior Member

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    If it is not flammable its not hydrogen. Are you sure you don't mean nitrogen?
     
    #7 jburns, Aug 30, 2009
  8. Rangerdavid

    Rangerdavid Senior Member

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    yes, Nitrogen. Sorry, my bad. I'll try to edit the above posts to correct just in case someone doesn't read this far'
     
    #8 Rangerdavid, Aug 31, 2009
  9. 200Volts

    200Volts Member

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    My 2006 has 71k miles on my MXV4+ with a fair amount of tread left in the middle of the tire (yes, slightly under inflated-to get a smoother ride).
     
    #9 200Volts, Aug 31, 2009
  10. johnboywalton

    johnboywalton New Member

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    How have your Harmonies worked out? How is your gas mileage vs OEM tires?
     
    #10 johnboywalton, Aug 31, 2009
  11. RolfS

    RolfS Junior Member

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    Gas mileage dropped about 2 MPG, compared to Integrity. At 85k miles there is still 1/8" tread left. Tires were quiet, but now developed some noise at slow speed, which goes away at freeway speeds. I don't have any wet weather information, since it does not rain that much in southern California. With the little rain we get I have had no problem driving in it.
     
    #11 RolfS, Aug 31, 2009
  12. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    Stand back ! ! ! !
     
    #12 hill, Sep 1, 2009
  13. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Comparisons:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    #13 usbseawolf2000, Sep 1, 2009
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  14. Soylent

    Soylent The v isn't a station wagon! It's just big boned

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    Wow, that graph makes HydroEdge look perfect in all categories.
     
    #14 Soylent, Sep 1, 2009
  15. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I wouldn't say perfect in all categories. Michelin made that graph so they used HydroEdge as a baseline.
     
    #15 usbseawolf2000, Sep 1, 2009
  16. dhancock

    dhancock 2 Prius Family

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    That would be true if the Hydroedge was a 60 aspect ratio (849 revolutions/mile) and not the 65 aspect ratio (822 revolutions/mile). The AS 185 65/15 tire is 851 revolutions/mile.
     
    #16 dhancock, Sep 2, 2009
  17. Rangerdavid

    Rangerdavid Senior Member

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    nice graphs, I have not seen those before.
     
    #17 Rangerdavid, Sep 3, 2009
  18. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Does this graph indicate the tread life of ComforTred and tripleTred is zero?
     
    #18 patsparks, Sep 3, 2009
  19. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I don't think so as there are no values like the LRR tire comparison. Keep in mind that those graphs were made by Michelin. Without unit value, each could be 0.00001%... we don't know. I would like to see Goodyear and Bridgestone make similar graph as well with unit.

    LRR tire comparison does not have snow, ice, hydroplane and weight categories. Maybe Energy Saver A/S does not do too well, we don't know.
     
    #19 usbseawolf2000, Sep 3, 2009
  20. priusincc

    priusincc Member

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    I just replaced my OEM Intregrity tires this week, they were worn out after 24K. The Michelin Engery Savers were one of my final choces, but I went with the GoodYear Assurance FuelMax. GoodYear came through with a warranty adjustment and the replacement cost was way less than half of the Michelins. The FuelMax tires are relatively new, but I have seen some favorable reports. Time will tell.

    It sticks in my mind that tire wear ratings, are better comparisons between the same brand; but not necessarily between brands. I usually go by the mileage warranty: the longer the warranty, the longer the wear.
     
    #20 priusincc, Sep 4, 2009
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