Low Rolling Resistance replacement tires: Current List

Thank you F8L and everyone else who has contributed here. My OE Bridgestone Ecopia EP20s are done now with 68,000 miles on them and 3/32 left on the tread. I actually had one of them blow out at 38,641 miles on a cross country trip and threw something cheap on it at the time. After reading this long thread, I would have put the Energy Saver A/S on but Michelin says no production in the next four weeks and they won't comment on anything after that.

I don't drive the car hard, as 68,000 on OE tires probably shows, and I want the highest MPG tires I can get, unless it is rated really poorly is some other trait. I am leaning toward the Bridgestone EP422, even though I have heard they are not great on handling. It is a Prius and I don't drive it hard so I think I may be OK with them. Comments or suggestions from F8L or anyone else are appreciated. I will be using Discount Tire as I have bought multiple sets of tires from them and have enjoyed great service.

Oh yes, I live in snow country, but we don't get great amounts very often, I work from home, and I believe the biggest factor in driving in the snow is the driver. I drive according to conditions of the road, weather, traffic, and yes, tires.

 

Based on what I read on PriusChat I recently bought the Bridgestone EP 422 for my Prius Gen III and am getting at least 2 mpg less out the door of the tire shop and I am thinking of returning them back to the shop on the 30 day guarantee. We previously had the Continental ProContact with EcoPlus (relatively sure not the purecontact--was brand new to the manufacturer two+ years ago according to the shop we bought it at), and we consistently got 2 mpg and up better than the Yoko Avids that came with the car. The ProContacts handled well in 4 season driving and lasted 60,000 miles, but some may have replaced them sooner. The only problem with the ProContacts is the NOISE--which is why I switched to the EP422s which are quieter and have a smoother ride. Not sure what else to try that is affordable--the Michelin Energy Saver A/S cost quite a bit more than the Bridgestones.

 

I'll add my experience with the Yokohama YK580's from Discount Tire. I have a tad over 9500 miles on them now. Prius came with GY Fuel Misers (sp?) and were replaced at 51,000 miles. Their last 18,000 miles gave me an average of 53.9 mpg. The YK's to date are averaging 51.9 mpg. Not too shabby! Extraordinarily quiet - and they've stayed quiet. The GY's were killing me with noise from about 10K till replaced. The YK's have better road manners than the GY's too. I am happy!

 

Oh my gosh I am so confused! I know I am likely the one millionth person to ask this type of question, but I've just spent hours pouring over this thread and others and I'm kind of stuck.

I've got a 2007 Prius Touring and am about to replace the OEM tires with almost 40,000 miles on them. I live in Southern California. I was about to order the Bridgestone EP422 s but saw that F8L says the handling is not all that great on them. I would like a tire that is quiet, that also has decent handling. I don't want it to feel mushy on the highway or on canyon roads. I would like a tire that helps with getting decent MPG, but I don't fret over a few MPGs here and there. For reference, I've been fairly happy with the handling on the OEM tires. Do I just get those again?!?!? Thanks so much for the input.

 

2007 Prius touring is 16" rims if I have that right.

First I'd go for 205/55/16 to improve handling and speedometer accuracy.

within that size you might want to consider the continental PureContact with EcoPlus Technology at 205/55R16
91H SL (they make a V rated version at that size but I'd get the H rated)

another safe option would be the Michelin Defender at 205/55R16 91T SL

both of those tires are rated 2nd best in the tirerack surveys for their respective categories (Defender is standard touring, the other is grand touring).

If you have 17" rims it might be a different selection.

 

Spend the money and get the Energy savers. you will save 3-5 mpg which will help the cost.

 

I can't argue against the Energy Saver A/S if you have 15" rims. Looking at tirerack we have

185/65R15 88H SL about 9 in stock OK for Gen II Prius but not my first size choice
195/65R15 89T SL out of stock until Jan, OK for Gen II or III Prius

It's a shame they don't make this tire in a 16" and 17" option that is the right size for a Prius.

I'd love to get some 16" wheels like the Tesla aero wheels Aero wheels - Page 52 and toss some Energy Saver A/S on them.

As is I'll keep my 15" wheels and tires but for those that have touring wheels (16" or 17" depending on the year) they can't go for the same tires.

 

Get another set of EP20?

They're readily available, close to the (elusive) Michelin Energy Saver A/S's for rolling resistance, inexpensive, and go a decent distance, as you can attest. AFAIK they're only available in 195/65R15, one of the designated Prius OEM's, for good reasons.

The only thing: once they're moderately worn they have no lateral siping left, and are hopeless in snow.

 

If you keep the tire pressure over 40psi, the lateral siping will last longer.

 

PLUS tire rack has a $50 rebate on set of 4. $290 + shipping with rebate. Great deal.

 

Kauffman Tires beat Tire Rack's, Sam's Club, and Costco prices for Michelin Defenders for my 2008 Prius...so I bought them, only to find Sears has them for $100 less, with rebates and ebates and sale price....Who would have thought SEARS? I DO have them at hypermiling 42 and 40 PSI. I wonder how they will perform compared to Michelin Energy Saver A/S's? I haven't seen any RECENT articles on LRR comparisons, and haven't seen April Consumer Reports...

 

I just bought a pair of new tires (or tyres if your from here - New Zealand). The ones that my 05 prius came with were superseded. They are Yokohama BlueEarth tires.
Only got them this week, but haven't seen the economy go up or down since I've had them on. They replaced a pair of Yokohama DNA ECOS tires.
My commute a mix of highway and twisty roads, so I get to test them out pretty well. Cornering seems ok - not really anything to compare with though. It hasn't rained much since I've put them on, but they seem to hold on pretty good in the dry. A bit of "air noise" when cornering reasonably hard.
Tires are pretty expensive in NZ, as is the fuel, so a good choice is worth doing some homework for.

Might update if there's more to tell.

 

I'd almost rather drive a land barge than face another pair of Ecopia's. After BABYing Ecopias, I was only able to eek 21k miles out of them. The only thing worse for wear were the original Good Year's Integrities that came on the Gen II. YUCK

Compare that to Michelin Hydroedges that STILL had MORE than 1/2 the wear left, after NINTY thousand (warranted) miles !!! Boy !!! Am I ever spoiled. I think Michelin stopped making them because (as expensive as they were) they weren't selling enough tires.
.

 

The Hydroedge is replaced with the Defender.

The New Michelin Defender Combines the Best from the Harmony and HydroEdge with Green X - Choose the Best Tires with Zig | Tire Rack

6 Years / 90,000 Miles (T & H-rated)
6 Years / 80,000 Miles (V-rated)
Half mileage for rear if different size than front

Oh and if you put them on a Gen II Prius I'd get them in 205/60R15, it's the same tread width as the 185/65/15 but with a diameter that fixes the speedometer inaccuracy. Oh and you get a higher load rating in the process.

Myself I got the Energy Saver A/S 195/65/15 though I have to say body roll on cornering is worse now.

 

I heard that from a tyre dealer re the Ecopias during the week. He told me to steer clear due to the very poor wear.

 

Well good luck w/ the Ecopias, despite my revulsion to them I'm running an odd size forged rim. I'm going to go with the Michelin Energy Savers - 205/55R16's (and I run above average pressures) because my ONLY concern is keeping my economy at the utmost level of efficiency.
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what makes you think I got Ecopias? I said I got Energy Saver A/S. That's a Micheline tire.

 

62,000 on my EP20 OEM Ecopias, but not likely to make it beyond 70,000. Very happy with that for an OEM.

Would choose the EP422 if I go that route for a replacement, for longer life.

Slower highway speed and mild acceleration/deceleration accounts for long wear. Don't know why hill had such short life since I know he also drives for mpg.

 

We got around 70000 km on a set of ep20. They're due. Especially inside edge due to neg camber I guess. Likely get same. This is on a civic hybrid.

 

oops - sorry - reading too many threads together
Yes - I too just ordered a set.