Low Rolling Resistance replacement tires: Current List

Well, was just told to think about new tires on my 2012 four. 31000 miles, 50.5 mpg on OE tires.

Starting to catch up on this discussion. I think my OE tires are P195/65R15.

Suggestions? Would like to keep mpg and reduce noise.


[I need to update fuelly]

 

Ecopia EP20 will not miss a beat with the mpg, but do get a bit noisy when worn.

 

At 62,000 km, put on Ecopia EP20's. Same fuel mileage, but without the spine smashing ride the OEM Dunlop's had. Night and day.

 

I now have the True Contacts on the Prius a month or so ...no complaints yet, except one day before our appointment install the tires from Tire Rack, my wife had a fender bender slipping on wet roads. I did not think the other tires were bad (I was just trying to beat winter) but sure would've been nicer to have the new tires on there sooner.

I just put the Defenders on my minivan, since some a few owners mentioned a potential issue with True Contacts high speed on minivans. Decided to hedge my risks. Well, guess that gets me out of the tire threads for 3 or 4 years.

 

Hi everyone,

I was able to put together a set of 225/45/r17 size Continental Contiprocontacts for a set of 17x7.5 wheels that I have. Found various sellers on local craigslist with takeoffs with literally 10/32 and 9/32 tread left and made a set.

Anyone roll on these? Any feedback? Road noise, mpg, handling (wet and dry), etc.

Thanks in advance!
Ram

 

Should be ok. Let us know how you do after a couple tanks. Will not match the 195/65/r15 fe however. How are they in the noise department. Hal

 

Hal, thanks for your input! Will definitely report back!

 

Heard on radio today, some interest groups want to say tires are too old at 6 years old. Tire mfg cos. are saying it's not until 10-years that tires are too old. This is just re: age per se not talking about wear or other variables..

 

I saw a similar article on the CBS evening news but could not find a ready source . . .

Tire aging reports | PriusChat

Let me suggest we use a separate thread to discuss this apart from rolling resistance.

Bob Wilson

 

Need one tire maybe but might buy 4! I hit a large metal object today with a razor blade on the end ( tread cut) and I probably need to replace one of my OEMs. 44K and a lot of tread left.
Sam's has the Michelin fuel saver 44 PSI but that will not match the OEM Ecopia 20.

I am debating on ordering 4 OEMs to split between both cars from Tirerack and use the spare for 10 days.

BTW/what a job to change a tire. There is enough space, it looks like to me, for a full size spare in the well.

Michelin Energy Saver A/S - P195/65R15 89T - Sam's Club=

Also noticed another Michelin Energy Saver A/S at the SAMS site that was 51 PSI.

 

Noticed Wal-mart carries the EP 20s. Any one have experience getting these at Wal-Mart?

 

ETP why not go with a Ecopia ep 20 from wal-mart. I find these to be the most comfortable LRR tire I have ever had and too butt they give the lowest FE of the 5 brands I have owned. H

 

The effects of tire pressure are reproducible:

1. fill the tires to max sidewall
2. warm-up car for 10-15 minutes around a benchmark path, 6+ miles
3. reset trip meter and do benchmark path, record MPG
4. draw out 5 psi and repeat #3-#4 until door jam pressure -5 psi are reached

Now you have a table and can choose the pressure that matches your preferences:

1. reinflate tires to desired MPG pressure +5 psi and set tire pressure sensor
2. reinflate every two months

There is an optimum ratio between tire psi and ride comfort. I find maximum sidewall provides the best handling and most precise steering but it feels every road defect.

Bob Wilson

 

Checking the dealer on Friday as Wal-Mart was a head fake. I can order online and Wal-mart will install them. Friday for update.

42 PSI with OEM has been my sweet spot.

My Wife want the 20's on her car.

 

maximum

Well it does as it will limit how much air you can put into the tire. Bob's answer was spot on. Most of us have had hybrids that required 51 PSI tires and we ran 42-51 in those tires. A 44 PSI tire will be at my maximum personal comfort level at 42 PSI.
I have compromised and run 42 PSI in all my hybrids and the higher the PSI the better the MPG.

That is how I have most of my tread left at 44K. Low pressure will kill a tire on wear and lower your MPG. Of course you may be more susceptible to impacts with road hazards

 

We'll have to agree to disagree:

I would agree if we had rolling resistance metrics, real numbers, for these tires. All I need is a table for each tire showing coefficient of drag on a standard day at tire pressures from say 30 to maximum sidewall pressure. Then the problem is solved but that is not what we have today.

Today "low rolling resistance" has the same credibility as 'looks fine, runs a long time.' There are no hard metrics so I am left having to treat it as 'eye wash.'

Look at our own threads about tires. We are not seeing A-B-A tests but spot results.

Maybe this is something we should 'crowd source.' Pool our money to buy or build a tire test fixture and then buy samples of the 'leading' low-rolling resistance tires and test them. If someone wants to try a different tire, work up some sort of 'test fee' or 'loan for testing.' Then we'll have some real numbers instead of the salesmansh*t we get today.

Bob Wilson