Just passed 60K miles on my OEM ECOPIA 20 (original set). My service writer couldn't believe it, she thought I would get about 35K to 40K miles. Hoping to get another 5K (or more) miles before getting a new set of tires (will go with ECOPIA or ENERGY SAVER based on tire information provided by F8L) . Still have some tread left on the tires. Most of the mileage are from freeway driving.
That is pretty amazing. I believe the best way to maximize tire life is proper inflation, proper alignment, lower speeds and taking it easy in cornering. A tire that is driven fast will run hotter and lose more tread compound per mile than one driven at much lower speeds. Same holds true for taking corners. Every time you go flying around a corner you leave a bit of tread behind. Thus most forms of hypermiling can significantly increase tire life except the technique of fast cornering. The crux of this is one would then assume highway driving would wear tires down faster but at speed limit speeds I would argue that intercity driving with it's frequent and hard turns is worse. As for your choice in new tires, I cannot comment on tread life yet but I can say these Energy Saver A/S tires are the cat's meow for mpg.
Just replaced original Michelin 215/45R17 87V all-weathers on 2010 Prius V mod 5, 67,000 miles (lot of highway driving). Tire performance was good, but replacement cost was $215/tire with rebate (ouch!). Any suggestions for different (i.e. less expensive) replacements that wouldn't reduce milage (currently 50.5 mpg 3-year avg).
Cosgrove, ECOPIAS are good tires, but based on some of the posts I have read, it depends on preference. Michelin Energy Saver A/S are good on MPGs, but cost a little more you already are aware. Bridgestone Ecopias are cheaper, but a little nosier from what I have read. I just might stay with ECOPIAS with the $70.00 off from Costco when the time approaches. There are other options you can consider. There are informative posts by F8L on tires. I hope this helps a little.
Good to hear the ECOPIA reviews, I'm looking at a set of those to replace my OEM Yokohama's that are due for replacent (38k miles). I figure I could easily get through this summer, then a winter on the snows, and replace the tires in the spring but I just got my second puncture and this one they won't patch so I'm going to pull the trigger on a new set of 4 now instead of waiting. Hoping I can find a good price locally on the ECOPIAs.
Between the EP100 and the Energy Saver A/S I would only consider the EP100 if you get the $70 rebate on them be ause the price would be so much lower than the Energy Saver A/S with its rebate. The Energy Saver should last longer and has a very tiny edge in mpg so if they are close in price then Energy Saver A/S wins. I'm a little worried about the future of the EP100 as it looks like it may be a close out special. Someone needs to contact Bridgestone.
