Good deal. Keep us posted on your results. Many people notice either zero mpg hit from the new tires and some even see a gain. Once they break in there will definitely be a gain.
New Test just released from TireRack.com featuring the Defender, AVID Ascend, TrippleTread and ProContact with EcoPlus. Testing Passenger and Touring All-Season Tires
I still love my ProContact with EcoPlus. This is the tire I would buy again. I got them for $74 each back in March 2011. Now, they are selling for $82 each.
They are a great tire from an economic and safety/performance standpoint. They are not the best for mpg, however. Then again, none of the tires they test are great for mpg. I'm happy to see the Defender did so well though. This test pretty much nailed my decision to recommend them over the Ascend.
Nice to see a comparison with the ProContacts in there. I do still like the tires, but don't like the mileage hit. Odd that they don't seem to include mileage in this latest comparison. Unless I didn't read closely enough. Ah... here it is: "Due to a technical issue we are not able to publish fuel consumption results for this test."
Agreed. They didn't include the mpg information which I find very vexing! I am writing them to see if I can find some unofficial information. I really need to see how the Defender did against the ProContact in terms of mpg. Personally I had no issues with wet weather and the AVID Ascend but I trust TireRack enough not to recommend those tires for people in wet climates anymore.
A REALLY odd question, has anyone installed performance tires on their Prius? My experience tells me that better rubber = more fun. I'm willing to trade some mpg for more smiles. Has anyone done this? Any results? I'm thinking of the Dunlop Star Specs if anyone's curious.
Indeed they have. Expect about 3-4mpg loss or more depending on the tire. Besides the mpg loss, UHP tires tend to wear out MUCH faster so you'll replace them much sooner than you would most good LRR tires. The trade off is better grip. IMO it's better to just upgrade to 17s and use a LRR tire on those. The grip and handling is MUCH better than any 15" tire and the mpg is about the same as an UHP 15" tire. Since you have a GenII with its undersized tires, you may be better served by going to a wider LRR tire. You'll get better stability and braking and not lose much in mpg if you choose the right tire.
What are the advantages of going to 17" tires on my 2005 Prius? It's time to replace tires and looking for best MPG and most miles. Recommendations? Thanks?
If you currently run 15" tires then you will suffer a pretty big hit in mpg by going to a 17" tire. There is nothing you can do currently to avoid the hit. For the best mpg with a decent lifespan the Energy Saver A/S is the way to go. The Bridgestone EP422 is a good tire although most feel it is inferior to the Energy Saver A/S but it is also much cheaper with the $70 rebate. Assuming both tires get a $70 rebate the EP422 is $262 for 4 and the Energy Saver A/S is $386 for 4. The Energy Saver A/S is about 2mpg better than the EP422, however. Wear is good on both tires. The Defender seems like a good choice but you trade mpg for tread life and a little better performance. Same with the Continental ProContact with Eco plus.
Updated with new Grand Touring tire test! Tested: Bridgestone Serenity Plus, Continental PureContact with EcoPlus, Yokohama AVID Ascend, Michelin Primacy MXV4 Tire Test Results : Testing Grand Touring All-Season Tires
Just in time for winter, TireRack.com tests the "Newest Studless Ice and Snow Winter Tires including: Bridgestone Blizzak WS70, Continental ExtremeWinterContact, Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT, Michelin X-Ice Xi3. Tire Test Results : Testing the Newest Studless Ice & Snow Winter Tires
Here's what really confuses me: how do the winter tires end up getting better mpg than the all-season tires? That can't be right? Almost makes me want to get winter tires and keep them on year-round.
They generally have a softer sidewall which may be better for reducing hysteresis. They also have a soft compound which may reduce rolling resistance as well. The problem with using them year round is they will wear out very quickly in warm weather because of that softer compound. So while you may get better fuel economy with a good LRR winter tire, you'll be replacing tires much more often.
In hot weather you would probably have to change tires every 10k miles. I would also worry about handling and traction reduction in hot weather.
It depends on the tire. Most tires I recommend should last 40, 000 to 80, 000 or more depending on how you drive.
Just found this forum, first post. I have a set of Michellin tires on a 2007 and I just swapped for winter studless snow tires. I went with Dunlop Graspic DS3's because they were all that were available in a decent snow tire locally.. I've always used either Nokian's, Blizzak's or Graspics.. I went from averaging 44 MPG over the last two tanks to 51 MPG on the last tank. I am finding it hard to believe that the tires can make this big a difference but apparently they can...???
