Low Rolling Resistance replacement tires: Current List

Any who! ordered 4 EP 20s from Walmart.com and will have them install as needed.
The Sam's Michelin's were tempting but the last set I bought were hard as a rock at 42 psi and had to run them at 38 and they were still to harsh. The 20's are just about a perfect compromise IMHO. 61-64 MPG to work everyday.

 

Good choice ETP. I will do the same as long as they keep up the quality. I will have to check out Wal-mart site. Hal

 

They have two:

Tire Finder - Find Tires by Size, Vehicle and Brand – Walmart.com

Model No.:005917

Bridgestone Ecopia Tire , EP20 P195/65R15 89S BL - Walmart.com


Model No.:133459
Bought this because it looked like the same one at Tirerack and supposedly MIJ and said OE. If they are MIJ I will be happy. By trial and error have discovered that rear tires are the best place to put new tires of unproven MPG. The front is very sensitive to tire type and MPG on the Honda's and Priuses. May put two on each car on the back. The Goodyear OEMs wear great and have great MPG but one or two came from the factory probably slightly out of round.

Bridgestone Ecopia EP20 Tire - Walmart.com

 

They're ok in snowy climes, if they're sitting in the garage and you're rolling on snows, lol. Brand new not bad, but once down to 6/32" you have NO lateral tread grooves.

 

So...I can't find the Energy Saver A/S for my Prius C (175/65R15). What kind of downgrade will I experience with the Energy Savers without that A/S designation? I just bought a couple of pairs due to my dissatisfaction with the Bridgestone OEMs (Turranzas, which are just about threadbare at 29k miles). I noticed the A/S had a much more generous warranty of 65k miles versus only 50k for the Energy Savers proper. I'm hoping I didn't make a mistake.

 

Oddly, Michelin themselves list the A/S in my size: 175/65R15 Tires | Michelin Tires

I take it the A/S has better fuel economy (as well as a better warranty). Why it doesn't show up in the databases of Discount Tire and Big O are mysteries to me. Tirerack.com has them in my size supposedly. It's a real head scratcher. I may cancel the order on Monday morning and just have Tirerack ship them to a local tech. It'll be a little more costly but apparently worth it.

I'm not in a snowy area, but I really don't like the notable lack of superlatives Michelin is using in their own description of the Energy Saver vs. Energy Saver A/S. Are the Goodyear Assurances or Ecopia's a better bet than these pieces of garbage? I wanted to get a long-term choice with the best MPG and least tread wear. Handling and noise is secondary.

 

I like the 20s as they give me great ride and MPG at 42PSI and will last a long time. Mine have a lot of tread left at 44K.
The Michelins were just too harsh a ride for me but wear great. My MPG took a hit but that was on my 2009 Prius.

 

Thanks for the response. What are the 20s? What I'm mostly wondering is if it's worth it to cancel the Energy Savers and pay a little extra for the A/S.

 

Thank you very much for the clarity! The newness might explain the lack of available inventory for these stores. I will in all likelihood grab the A/S since handling isn't at the top of my list. I see that the Defender is warranted for 90k so I see the benefit there, but I'm more inclined to go for the more immediate gains (and who knows if I'll keep the C for another 90k!). I did notice that Michelin has rebate specials in the fall and spring according to their website. I probably won't wait around for the next promotion given the state of my Turranzas. Thanks again.

 

Bridgestone Ecopia EP20 Tire - Walmart.com

 

I might regret it later but the order is in. It is like buying a pig in a sack as I like to see the tires I am buying. SAMS has the Mics in stock as I almost put two on the back (me and my wife have very bad memories about two sets we bought in past years). BTW Tirerack has been very accurate in their tire descriptions as I have done at least 5 orders through them over the years.

Anyway if they are MIJ OEM 20s I will be a happy camper as these OEMs are the best ones we have had through 7 Hybrids.

Now I bought A/S for two vans my children have and they are very happy.

Does anyone has a good comparison on MPG for the 422s and 20s? Those are stocked everywhere.

Also what happened to the link for LRR tests?

 

Michelin Energy Saver A/S
Wow, these are made in Germany and 51 PSI. Tread wear should be great and the MPG you will have to tell us what you got and at what PSI. Also verify if these have a harder ride at 42PSI or above. I have zero experience with the 422s and 400s which are in your size.
Also Walmart will install these if you do the Tirerack route (free road hazard at tirerack).
Enjoy your new tires!

 

Yep, that is my nightmare "that they ship me tires made in South America". I will refuse the order if that happens.

I have been very impressed with all the MIJ OEM tires over the years. Just the Goodyear has a couple of out of round on my 2011 but the tire wear is very low 42 PSI and the same MPG as my 20s.

 

^Interesting, thanks. Not seeing anything about a Michelin promotion at the A/S product page on TireRack at least, and nothing in the navigation menu about rebates. I'll keep looking. Unfortunately, even if Discount offered it, they don't seem to be able to get the tire in my size (I'll ask again on Monday morning, but ordering it wasn't an option according to the rep).

Yep, found it over at TireRack. Discount Tire is closed, so I will have to cancel my phone order on Monday morning.

Oddly, the Walmarts in my vicinity don't show up as TireRack installation partners.