new michelin energy saver tire not coming to US

Do you get the MXV4+ there?

 

The MXV4+ tires on my 2004 Prius did get slightly better MPG (by about 1/2 MPG) than the OE GY Integrity tires. The Nokian WRs that I now have are doing even better (at about 7,000 miles of use). If you don't need the superior snow/ice traction of the WRs, get the WRg2 which still has the WR aggressive tread on one edge and a touring-style tread on the other edge.

You can get the Nokians at a reasonable cost (~$100 each for 185/65HR15s) via:

Nokian Tires - Winter Tires, Snow Tires and much more from the Tire Factory

JeffD

 

According to the Seattle PI
"Michelin is offering drivers a new tire that's designed to improve fuel economy and safety. The company announced recently at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit that the Michelin Energy Saver All-Season tire will go on sale this summer."

Michelin rolls out new gas saver tire

 

Dave,

The Nokian WRs are getting about 4% better MPG than the Goodyear Integrity tires that came with my Prius. My MXV4+ managed about 1% more MPG than the GYs.

Since my first car was a Triumph TR4, I'm obviously immune to a harsh ride . The Nokians (and the MXV4+) have stiffer sidewalls than the GYs (that's why they handle better) so at the same PSI (I run mine at 42/40) they will ride a bit stiffer.

The WRs are a bit noisy, the WRg2 should be a bit quieter, but have a little less snow traction (my WRs are amazing on snow/ice, even after 39.5k miles) due to the less aggressive tread on one edge.

Attached is a detailed spreadsheet of my 139.5k miles of experience with the three tires discussed above.

JeffD

 

I've been trying to get some info out of Michelin. I'm told some sizes of the Energy Saver will be available here in the US in June and additional sizes added later in the year. I'm curious why they will be marketing this tire to those who drive 10k/year or less.

I'm also trying to learn more about the new generation of HydroEdge ("with Energy Saver technology") due out this year.

I'll post if and when I learn more.

PA Prius

 

Michelin Enhances Mobility With the Introduction of the Energy Saver All-Season Passenger Car Tire - Jan 12, 2009

Michelin Enhances Mobility With the Introduction of the Energy Saver All-Season Passenger Car Tire
PRNewswire
DETROIT
DETROIT, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- A tire designed for exceptional levels of fuel-efficiency while inspiring a confident driving experience all-year round, the MICHELIN® Energy Saver All-Season tire is set to deliver consumers an environmentally friendly performance package that is unprecedented in the industry. The tire will be unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January and consumers will be able to purchase the tire this summer.

 

I got this response from Michelin this morning--

"According to our latest information the sizes that will be launched in the
Energy Saver A/S in June will include 185/65r15. This tire is expected to
deliver accepted mileage but will not carry a mileage warranty as the
Hydroedge does. This will the lowest rolling resistance tire Michelin
builds. The Hydroedge would be the next in line."

By "accepted" do they mean "acceptional," or is that my wishful thinking? I've responded to them again, asking for the third time when the new generation of HydroEdge will be on the market. Again, I'll let you know when I know more.

PA P

 

I received this response today from Michelin regarding the release of the new HydroEdge--

"The next generation of the Hydroedge will not be available until 2012."

Strange, considering all the reports out of Chicago stated clearly that the new generation of the HydroEdge would be out this year, along with the EnergySaver tire. I've written back again for clarification. I'm starting to wonder about the competancy of the responders to these inquiries.

PA P

 

Here is my third response from Michelin. First regarding the new Energy Saver, coming out in June.

"Yes, we do show that your size will be available this year. We would not say that it is a low mileage tire. However, the new Energy
Saver could average 30-40,000 miles. Yes, the new Energy Saver design will offer the lowest rolling resistance.

The Michelin HydroEdge would be the second best once the Energy Saver becomes available. There will not be a newer HydroEdge, until sometime after 2012."

At less than half the life of the HydroEdge, I'll likely forego the Energy Saver.

PA P

 

Bummer about having to wait until 2012 for a new HydroEdge. Looks like it will be the "old" Hydroedge for me.

 

The "new" HydroEdge saga continues, maybe. I thought this was laid to rest with my 2/28 post above where I was informed by Michelin that an upgraded HydorEdge would not be available "until sometime after 2012.

Then last week I received the copy of Michelin's e-mail newsletter "My Michelin Experience." It had the tag line, "Introducing the new Michelin HydroEdge Tire." First sentence, "Introducing our premier passenger tire available on April 1, 2009, the Michelin HydroEdge Tire."

I wrote Michelin once again, wondering whether the tire was indeed upgraded or is this an April Fools joke. Here is the response I received this morning--

"Thank you for your email. We welcome the opportunity to serve you.
The information you received was new launch for the HydroEdge tire not a new tire. We wanted to make our customers aware of the tires fuel efficiency and mileage not just the great wet traction. We are reintroducing the tire. We apologize for the confusion and appreciate your interest."

Upgraded tire? No. April Fools joke? Maybe. Confusing. Yes indeed.

PA P

 

30-40k on a tire...wow... I'm coming from a Porsche and even with much higher treadwear than usually went on that car, I got 20k out of the rear tires. The stickier ones would last as little as 6000 miles. Getting 30-40k out of a set on the Prius will be nice.

Since my Prius is brand spanking new, I bet it will be a few years until I have to replace the rubber.

 

Has anyone considered the New Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tires? They look like they might work. They have a 65000 mile warranty also.

 

Yes, see this thread--

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-main-forum/60155-goodyear-fuel-max-psi-max-mpg-new-post.html

PA P

 

This seems to be a contradiction, but maybe it is not. Interestingly, the Energy Saver, introduced in Europe and used by me on my Prius right now, is NOT an All-Season tire, but a "summer tire". So, either the specs of "summer" and "all-season" differ from Europe to the USA, or - more likely - the US All-Season ist just a different tire.

By the way: last summer I had the very strong impression, that these European Energy Saver do indeed save energy, compared to the tires that came with the car.
RW B)

 

We just met with a rep from Michelin and the new Energyâ„¢ Saver A/S will be available at Costco and Sam's Club this month.

He did claim it is an all weather tire - he even brought one to show us.
It will not last as long as the Hydroedge (90,000 miles) but probably about 50,000-60,000 and it was LOW ROLLING RESISTANCE.

It also was getting 8% better MPG than others. It does come in our Gen 2 and Gen 3 Prius sizes (touring I do not know about).

Bummer that we put Michelin X's on this spring- if I had known the Energy Saver A/S was coming out...

 

Did he mention how they expected the tire to perform in snow and ice compared to the Hydroedge?