Feedback of Ecopia EP422 plus?

I have "made in Mexico" on the same side as the date code. I don't see "HECHO EN MEXICO", is it on the other side?

There are 4.33 weeks per month (52 weeks / 12 months =4.33). So, "1615" is 3rd week of March 2015. "2315" is 2nd Week of May 2015. Yes, it looks like both EP42EZ and EP4WAZ versions are made in Mexico in 2015. More interestingly, in May 2015, both versions were in concurrent production!

I think last gen EP422 (the one without PLUS) and EP20 (the OEM) have 4 grooves. So, 3-grooves might be a cost reduction or an improvement, but who knows...

BTW, my Prius came with EP20 tires. After 53K miles, the inner and outer edges of each tires didn't have much tread left. The middle of the tires still had 4/32 (the tire pressure were 39 PSI all around). I don't know why your original EP20 tires are wearing out so rapidly.

 

"HECHO EN MEXICO" marking as shown on the pic is on the other side of date code. Maybe on the side of date code which is on inside walls on my two tires, it may say "made in Mexico", but I have to crawl under the car to confirm it.

I have not seen actual EP422 tire (previous version without "plus"), but the photo of Bridgestone site on this tire EP422 shows 3-grooves. Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 ECO | Bridgestone Tires However, the Tirerack pic of 422 has 4-grooves. Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 (H- or V-Speed Rated) Maybe there are two different versions of 422 as well? Who knows.

EP20 treatware is rated only 380 without any treadware warranty. If yours lasted 53K that's great. According to Tirerack info, there are two different EP20 one with 9/32 and another with 10/32 tread. Tire Rack - Search Results for EP20 Maybe mine was with 9/32, and lost 4/32 tread in 12k. Can it be that the treadware rate is not the same at the beginning and middle of life of tire? It may take longer to loose next 2/32??? I am keeping two EP20 on the front side and plan not to do tire rotation next several routine service, so it will wear down quicker than EP422Plus on the rear. Then some point in near future, I will change to two new EP422Plus tires and rotate with the older EP422Plus. EP422Plus comes with 5 Years / 70,000 Miles treadware warranty even on the EP4WZ version with 540 treadware, so if they wear down before 70K, I get some money back when I switch.

 

Actually, the BS's warranty on EP422 Plus for 70,000 miles/5 years is better than I thought. Bridgestone Platinum Pact Limited Warranty | Bridgestone Tires It offers free replacement up to 3 years from purchase or 4 years from manufacturing date. In my case, 4 years from manufacturing date gives me longer coverage. Beyond that period, I can get prorated cost of the tire up to 6 years from manufacturing date. So, at my current rate of 15k/year drive, if it wares down before the end of 4 years or 60k miles, I will be able to get free replacement. Compared to Bridgestone, Continental and Michelin offers only 1 year free replacement period even though they may offer longer period or miles of prorated coverage from second year on. I think 3-4 years free replacement is far better IMO.

 

If anyone is in the need this week, Costco sent an email exclusive to executive members for an additional $60 off plus the $70 off a set of 4 already offered this month. This puts the out the door cost around $290 for a set of 4 EP422 Plus even here in CA with all our tire waste disposal fees and 10% taxes.

 

My MIJ EP20's are very hard to wear out and at 63-65MPG to work everyday I stayed with the OEMs. 65K on the two that are left and lots of tread. Two were trashed by razor blades on a stick and my wife did not like the 4 Goodyear's on the 2011. I keep my pressure at 42, balanced, and aligned with driving on smooth roads with mild temperatures in the winter. If you let them get low they will be trashed quickly.

 

Hmmm. I'm an executive member, and don't recall seeing this additional $60. And just five minutes ago, I ordered up my 185/65-15's. Any clue how a guy like me could get a discount like that?

 

if you have your email registered with costco it should have come about 10 days ago in one of the emails (titled "Exclusive Bridgestone Tire Offer for Executive Members - Online Only! ", but if you didn't look carefully you may have deleted it as just another email advertisement. Today was the last day to order with the coupon, you could try and call them to see if they'll add it (or maybe tomorrow assuming they are closed already)

 

Any updates on your experiences with the EP422 Plus? What little reviews exist on tire rack show pretty mixed feelings.

 

I tried to purchase a set of these...twice. Got the first set put on with an alignment, drove down to the coast a couple of days later and they were incredibly noisy. Went back to Firestone and they verified the set (don't know if it was one or more) was faulty and ordered another set. The second set were installed with the same result. Both sets sounded like a helicopter was attached to the roof of the car. They were noisier than the worn out set of Kumho's (don't blame me, POs doing) they replaced. Anyway, no more Bridgestone's for me.

edit - both sets were the 4-rows of tread type.

 

Just installed a set last week from costco (the kind with 3-grooves) and they have been fine in rain we have had and I didn't notice anymore noise than the last set of goodyears that came off. Time will tell how long they wear out.

 

It's been 1 month since I got the EP422 Plus (with 3 grooves) from Costco. They behave just about the same as the OEM EP20. I noticed the MPG is somewhat lower. I used to get 51-53mpg on EP20s. For the last 3 fill-ups, I am getting around 47-50mpg on EP422 Plus. Maybe it's due to the colder winter weather. I will report back in the spring.

 

EP422 Plus - Month #2 quick update:
1) The MPG stays around 46-48 MPG.
2) It's been raining quite a bit in Bay Area, the EP422 Plus work just fine in heavy rain.
3) The grooves are rather big. I could hear the water discharging and hitting the mud guards.
4) Some really big gravels (3/8" dia) could get stuck in the grooves.
5) I just noticed from the 2016 Prius thread, the Gen4 is using EP422 Plus.

I guess overall the EP422 Plus is a good buy

 

Thanks for the update!

 

I love my 422 plus tires. They work real well in the rain and I suspect that they would function well in the snow. My mpgs initially were in the 50 to 53 mpg range but lately it has been 44 to 47 mpg, but that is comparable to what I got last year this time. We have had a lot of rain lately and in the cooler temps I suspect I am warming my engine longer than needed.

 

So far good luck on the new EP20s from Japan. Have not noticed a drop from the OEM MIJs EP 20s. Biggest difference has been gas. Some gas gets great MPG other gas stations a slight drop. I think they are mixing the gas in the tanks with whatever is in the truck at delivery. One fill up at SAMS was abnormally high and the next was 5MPG lower. Also weight and tire pressure has a huge impact in the Prius.

 

I had the EP 422 Plus installed at Costco a few months ago and am only seeing around 42 MPG. I've driven about 4,000 miles on it so far and I used to get close 48-49 MPG. I live in Southern California and have been driving like I normally do. Should I expect the mileage to get better?

 

What tires did they replace?

 

I really don't remember, but I believe they were Goodyear. They might have been the ones that came with the car off the lot (I'm not too sure though since I bought it used).

 

2 questions. did the temp go down in winter and did you check the tire pressure in your new tires?

 

The temperature went down around 5-10 degrees during the winter here in Southern California. I also just checked the tire pressure and it shows around 31-33. Do you believe that is the problem? I see others on the forum putting around 40-42.