Low Rolling Resistance replacement tires: Current List

I bought a set of Defenders to replace the original equipment tires. I got about 23,000 miles on them before they had to be replaced. That's right...23k on an 80k tire! That's the last set of Michelins I will ever own. Got a good warranty settlement from BJ's and got a set of BFGoodrich and took a major hit on mileage..from 45mpg to around 40..but the warranty fully paid for the Goodrich tires.

 

Yep, add me to the list. I did the BFGR thing on a Honda and got a severe hit on MPG (wore great). Stick with the OEM MIJs or Goodyear Assurance LRR Fuel max if you can't wait for an order from Tire rack. At least 4 sets of Mics were not as advertised.
Great tires if you keep them inflated and the front end aligned if needed.

 

Just changed out my miss-matched set of tires (two unrepairable flats over the last two years). The guy at Firestone made me a good deal and talked me into the Firestone Champion Fuel Fighter 195/65-15 (instead of what I was going to order on Tire Rack). I was a little hesitant at first, since it is a new tire model and TR didn't have a review on it yet. However, I must say I am impressed with the traction these new tires provide. I'm sure it has something to do with the awful tire setup I had before the swap:

LF: Goodyear Assurance Fuel Saver (@ 8/32", 11000 miles)
RF: Yokohama Touring S (@ 6/32", 22000 miles)
LR: Yokohama Avid S33D OEM (@ 3/32", 34000 miles)
RR: Yokohama Avid S33D OEM (@ 3/32", 34000 miles)

We'll see how the fuel economy turns out, but I am impressed by the stability, grip (only dry so far) and the lack of road noise. These should last quite a bit longer than the factory S33D tires, as they have a much higher treadlife rating (600 vs. 320). The Continental PureContact EcoPlus (long treadlife - 700) and ContiProContact (AA traction rating) on Tire Rack were tempting, but the service manager saved me some money and I'm really happy with the results.

 

Hi Guys,

is this possible please? I have 3gen Prius, 2011 is year of manufacture. Toyota officialy just answered me, that I can use this size of tires as alternatives /I have 17" right now 215/45/R17 . So they confirm me these one:
6Jx16 ET 45; 195/60 R16 89H

6Jx16 ET 45; 195/55 R16 87H

Is not it strange?? Can it be true? I would like to swith to lower one than 17" I have because of fuel economy. So R16 195/55/R16 89H should be me choice, right? thank you for any answer, I never heard of this size of tires for 3rd gen Prius, so I am surprised.

 

The standard tire size for 16" wheels on the Prius is 205/55-16.

Alternatively, you could install 195/60-16 for a slightly smaller width for less rolling resistance (Yoko Avid Ascend are the only LRR tires I know of in this size) or 195/55-16.

 

Yes, I though so, but based on my VIN I can nOt use 205/55/16 ;(. So i am gonna sell new 205/55/16 winter tyres I got free to car from previous owner. But if 195/55/16 is lower rolling res, it can give slightly better mpg, so i do not complain much.

 

I run 205s on my 16" wheels. They're not OE tyre size but as they're a much more popular size than the 195s there is a much greater choice, they're cheaper and there's lot of LRR to choose from.

If I were you I'd speak with a genuine tyre person rather than Toyota as the tyre guy will know a lot more than someone in a Toyota reading from a sheet/screen

 

That's odd. I bought my Defenders 14,000 miles ago; the tread depth went from 11mm to 7mm. I don't think I'll be making the 90,000 mile mark they advertised.

 

What the heck happened to Michelin quality??? Are they really that bad now?!

 

up the PSI, the tread won't wear as fast above 40 psi. I run sidewall max most of the time and never see treadwear issues.

I tend to replace tires based on sidewall rot before treadwear.

 

Hello,

Looking at tirerack and I see three types of Ecopia 422 plus tires: a US, a MX, and a JP. The JP is a 89S tire. Which is one the one to get?
Thanks

 

If possible use the JP one. 422s are standard on the 2016 Touring and seem to be solid tires. Ask me again at 60K.
OEM/MIJ for 2016
Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus (H- or V-Speed Rated)

similar model for 2012 non touring.

What did you do a search for? cannot find the MIJ one?

 

Exactly. Very poor tire.


EP20 out performs it in MPG and wear but I understand people want the 422 PLUS. Having trouble finding a MIJ 422 PLUS non touring tire.

 

yes

 

All my cars in the past had Bridgestone or Michelin. They seemed ok, handled ok, but still not quiet like I was wanting.

Those Pirelli tires get a good rating on Tire Rack. Anybody have those? I drive so little, my cars are always low-mileage, I don't think it matters too much what tires have. I just want a decent all-season tire.

 

OK i searched for this post to provide an update 2 years and over 40,000 miles later. As the continental tires wear down, my MPG slowly came back to the ~60MPG (indicated) that i had with OEM Ecopia tires. It took way over 40,000 miles for that to happen, but yes they behave like LRR now. Ironically, the OEM Ecopia tires lasted for almost exactly the same interval as it took for the continental tires to turn into LRR status.

Now, i'm fairly sure you can't have both long life and real LRR tires (since brand new).

 

I replaced my oem tires after 60k 215 45r 17. I decided to go with the michelin primacys. tires overall quiet, but I took a major mpg hit. I'm barely getting 42mpg. Any one else experience this with the same tire?

 

Those tires were on my short list for replacement; dang, that's not so good. Maybe with time they'll improve? I hate saying that though; always seems like the improvements are 10% tire "break in" and the rest due to your efforts.

Our OEM's, still on the car (Canadian 2010 "Touring" with 17" rims), are Michelin Pilot HX mxm4 (what a mouthful). Just checked them, they're all still above 6/32" remaining, car has around 64,000 km's. (We have snow tires in winter though, so the Pilots have been on less than 50K I'm sure). We got a few tanks at or over 50 mpg, and they haven't varied much over the years, looking through my log.

I wonder though, is it just myth, or do some OEM tires have lower rolling resistance. In other words: if you buy the same tire as replacement, are you in for a surprise?

 

So I've got a 2011 prius I bought used, the previous owner lived on a gravel road, and the tires, as such, are torn to hell.

I need replacement tires. I live in Iowa, where we have anywhere from mild, mostly wet winters, to driving blizzards. Who knows what you're going to go.

I can't afford to get a new set of wheels and winter tires, as well as new A/S in the spring. So I'm looking at this list, trying to decipher exactly what to do.

If I'm reading this right, the 422 is the probably the best if I'm concerned about winter conditions, handling, and gas mileage?

In case you're looking for some tire gore, here's the current state of the Hankook Optimo H725 that came on them.

Edit: Now i'm not so sure. Every tire listed in the OP seems to have someone with an awful experience... Someone please help.

Edit 2: I ended up putting in a request with the local tire shop for the PureContact with EcoPlus. Willing to sacrifice some MPG to get the safety and wet/snow performance, looks like about 485 out the door after tax. Hope i didn't screw up

 

I put on the snows a few days back, have the OEM wheels with Michelin Pilot HX mxm4 in the family room to wax. Anyway, notice they have the "GreenX" logo, Michelin's Low Rolling Resistance identification. I don't believe TireRack id's them as LRR? They've done not bad in my experience.



If I go to TireRack, no mention of LRR, and the tire image, if you zoom in, no GreenX logo. Hmm, special OEM version?



Michelin Pilot HX MXM4