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Feedback of Ecopia EP422 plus?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Manny210, Apr 15, 2015.

  1. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Baby's got new shoes. Just got the 422+ mounted from Costco ($379). Wow, noise-wise... considerably less then yokos and smooth riding. We will see if there is any change in fuel economy, but as it is, the difference in ride and noise is worth it. :)
     
  2. MPGnutcase

    MPGnutcase Active Member

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    I have EP20 factory 4/32" at 34500miles --UGH going to Costco this week to get the EP422plus $408
     
  3. 12voltman

    12voltman Member

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    Just got a set of the 422 PLUS from Tire rack .
    Just to confirm ............the picture on most every website of the tire is a bit inaccurate . I got the stock 15 size , 195/65R15 , and there is only 4 rows of tread ........not 5 like all the pictures show. A bit disappointed, as they look a little odd ...........but I will wait to pass judgement until I get some miles on them .
    BTW, Bridgestone has rebate offer on these tires again for September ..........$70. visa card with a purchase of 4 . Got a set of 4 in the 195/65R15 size for $328.96 including shipping to my door . Now I just need to get them mounted on some new aluminum 15" wheels I got , so I can get rid of the hubcap look . Figure I will have about $400. in the tires with mount and balance, and I have about $400. shipped for the new wheels.
    So about $800. for new wheels and tires ........not bad !
    Just hope the 422 PLUS , will be a good one ! Its too new to tell yet ...........not many reviews, but the ones I have seen are positive .
     
    #63 12voltman, Sep 4, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2015
  4. MPGnutcase

    MPGnutcase Active Member

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    MPG has come back !! I'm happy so far
     
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  5. kenichols29

    kenichols29 Active Member

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    How do these tires compare to the stock goodyears mpg wise? I am in the market for new tires, and if i can i would like better mpgs. I checked tirebuyer and i can get a set shipped to my door for $350 and my local toyota dealer says they will mount and balance them for $22 a wheel.

    the other tire i am also considering is the continental Truecontact, does anyone know how these compare to the ep422 plus?
     
    #65 kenichols29, Sep 5, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2015
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    The litmus test is when you can go go from worn OEM's, typically chosen for LRR, to a new tire, without a drop. That's a keeper. :)
     
  7. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

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    I just bought the TrueContacts a few weeks ago (I have put 750 miles on them so far). They are noisy compared to the EP422s that were just replaced with the TCs. I was not happy with the EP422s because of non-linear treadwear life. The EP422s were very quiet when new but they got noisier toward the end of life - I got 54,000 miles out of them.

    The TrueContacts have a treadwear rating of 800 and a 90,000 mile warranty. If I can get 70,000 miles out of them that would be acceptable. Fuel economy has dropped slightly with the TCs compared to the worn EP422s - about a 2 mpg decrease. Handling with the TCs is a big improvement over the EP422s so I can tolerate the noisier tread as long as the handling stays as good as it is now and the treadwear life is linear and long. I doubt that the EP422plus is a radical improvement over the EP422. The TrueContacts were $391 with tax installed for a set of four out the door at Walmart.
     
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  8. kenichols29

    kenichols29 Active Member

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    Thanks for the post. I think I will be getting the TrueContacts. BTW have you ever driven your car with the stock goodyears or Yokohamas? If so how do they compare? And was is your current mpg with the TrueContacts?
     
  9. 12voltman

    12voltman Member

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    The new Bridgestone version of the tires are the Ecopia 422 "PLUS" .........there are supposed to be some major improvements in the "PLUS" version of the 422's vs just the old (non-plus)422's . I guess the "PLUS" versions are the ones in question right now . Not many reviews out there so far .
    I just got my new 422 "PLUS" tires installed ........today actually . Will check back in with my verdict shortly.
    My local tire shop installed them for 19.95 a tire including "stick on" wheel weights for the new aluminum 15" rims I just got as well .
    YES .......... gone are my hubcaps !!!
     
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  10. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

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    I'm the second owner of my 05 so no I didn't have experience with the OEM tires. It did have Goodyear Comfortreads on it when I bought it though. The Comfortreads handled well except in snow - they slipped more than gripped. I hope the TrueContacts handle well in the snow - it obviously won't be an issue for you in Texas.
     
  11. kenichols29

    kenichols29 Active Member

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    Deep snow is not an issue but ice is a big issue during the winters in Texas. I don't want to have to deal with changing tires for 2 months of the year so I am looking for a tire that does decent on snow and ice. I also travel to Colorado every year during December to visit family for Christmas. So having a tire that does decent on snow and ice would be nice.
     
  12. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

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    Tire rack tested the TrueContacts and apparently they were better than three other standard all weather tire brands they tested. Nothing beats snow tires but all season tires with adequately deep tread offer sufficient traction in moderately deep snow. I once rented a Buick Regal GS that had all season tires and traction control. I managed to drive at 65 mph and passed many cars on the Interstate on a business trip from Chicago to Toledo without slipping once. Since it was a rental, I don't know what the tires were but they were great.
     
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  13. kenichols29

    kenichols29 Active Member

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    I ended up getting the ecopia ep422 plus tires. I decided on these after I found a post on volt forum comparing these tires to the goodyear assurance and the $70 mail in rebate. I just had them installed today and my ride is a little better and the tire noise is significantly less. I didnt notice any drops in mpg either.
     
  14. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    yup, i posted a picture earlier in this thread: Feedback of Ecopia EP422 plus? | Page 3 | PriusChat
     
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I noticed both 15" and 17" 2016 models at Vegas had the EP422, fwiw.
     
  16. FrankB

    FrankB Member

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    I just got a set of 4 last week. I filled up today and got the highest MPGs since I've gotten the car. Quieter and seemingly better mileage compared to the Pirelli P6s that were replaced.
     
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  17. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Searching internet for "Ecopia 422 Plus" I came across this discussion. I just signed up for the forum, so I can upload my photos. My 2015 Prius purchased in Jan this year came with Ecopia EP20 as OEM tires. I drove only 12k miles on them so far but I was quite happy with the ride and handling as well as well noted fuel saving feature. I was getting average 52mpg on this tire. Anyway, I had flat on one of the rear tire that could not be repaired. Walmart where I took for tire repair had only one Ecopia 422 Plus in stock to change it. So I changed it, then ordered another 422 Plus to be put on the other rear side, so I have a pair of new tires. After have them put on the second tire, I noticed those two brand new 422 Plus tires have different side wall marking and indeed different tread patterns mentioned in this thread. First one to be put on has three grooves, but second one has four. Other difference I noticed on marking is that first one has no marking for where it is made, but second one is from Mexico. First one has max pressure 44psi, and second one has 51psi. First one has "TREADWEAR 640 TRACTION A TEMPERATURE A" marking but second one has no mention of this information on the side. They are both marked as Ecopia EP422 Plus, with identical size 195/65R15 and load and speed of 91H, but first one has EP42EZ marked whereas the second one has EP4WAZ on them. There are indeed two different versions of EP422 plus. I am going back to Walmart to see if they are aware of this, and if possible swap to the identical tires. DSC45133-tile.jpg
     
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    They're for sure both the same size? That's strange. Someone else here got the EP422 plus in 195/65R15, and was a bit dismayed to see the lesser tread blocks and large gaps.

    If I was shopping for that size I'd stick to my guns, ask for EP20. They ONLY come in that size.

    Was the tire "unrepairable" due to nail too close to tread edge? I've had that scenario twice now, both times plug repaired it myself, still rolling on them.
     
  19. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Yes, they are both 195/65R15. This photo shows better? Walmart didn't have EP20 in stock. The closest they had was EP422 plus. Yes, it was one of those "unrepairable" nail on the side wall case. I have never fixed tire myself, but I may try next time. Then again, I purchased road hazard protection on the new tires, so I don't have to :) DSC45136-tile2.jpg
     
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    If damage is literally on the sidewall that's not contestable. In both my instances punctures were in the tread, about 1" from edge. Shop wouldn't touch them, and they won't do old-school plug repair either. They use a repair with disc on the inside, which I guess just doesn't work close to edge, starts riding up on sidewall.

    EP20 seem often to not be in stock, need to be ordered in. That was my experience with Costco, they just about talked me into EP422, but I finally ask them to order in EP20, took about a week.

    But I had the luxury of time. Something is weird in your case, both Bridgestone and the tire shop are remiss: there should NOT be different tread, same for max sidewall. Go back, see what they can do?

    Maybe, they can get an EP20 ordered in, just swap 'em in a week?
     
    #80 Mendel Leisk, Nov 8, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2015