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Replacement tires

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by IABoy987, Jun 10, 2015.

  1. IABoy987

    IABoy987 Member

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    My dealer says my 2011 Prius tires are getting towards the wearout marker ridges between the treads. So I need to start thinking replacements. This car has Yokohama tires which I assume were factory originals.

    We notice that our 2011 car seems somewhat "slippery" on wet pavements and sometimes even on dry roads it feels like car is not quite in contact with road. More of a feel than being able to pinpoint a description. We didn't have this with our 2006 Prius, so unsure what the difference are between the models mechanically that might account for this.

    So my question to the group is what has been the best tire(s) for a 2011 model? Not concerned about pricing just best tires for 2011. We live in Iowa year round if that has any bearing on choices.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how many miles on her?
     
  3. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    We have been quite happy with the Continental True Contact year-round here in Colorado...
     
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  4. se-riously

    se-riously Active Member

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    Michelin Premier is my choice.
     
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  5. calirider

    calirider ECOmobile

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    Michelin Energy Savers can get $70 off of 4 at Costco right now if your a Costco member. If not America's Tire or Discount Tire will match the instant $70 off.
     
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  6. calirider

    calirider ECOmobile

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    The $70 off ends today so might be too late for you.
     
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  7. IABoy987

    IABoy987 Member

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    39400+ miles as of 6/10/15
     
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  8. kknguyen1168

    kknguyen1168 Member

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    Nope

    Costco go on sale again for Michelin 70 dollars off for another month
     
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  9. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

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    As se-riously says, the Michelin Premiers are great tires. I just got a set myself. The ride is much quieter and smoother now, but there is a hit on the mileage - maybe 5 mpg less. I wanted a more comfy ride and those few mpgs loss is not a big deal to me.
     
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  10. kknguyen1168

    kknguyen1168 Member

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    I am going with Michelin defend XT, 90k, ~483.00 out the door include 70 dollars off. Hope do not hit on the mileage too much.
     
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Geesh, that's a lot. o_O
     
  12. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

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    Yes it is, but after having 5+ years of getting nearly 50 mpg, I was ready to trade some efficiency for a better ride. The Defenders are great tires too, but having come from a Cadillac, I was missing the luxury of a smoother ride. It's not going to change your Prius into a Lexus, but the ride is noticeably better with the Premiers.
     
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  13. kknguyen1168

    kknguyen1168 Member

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    Just put 4 new defend XT in my prius; Costco 481.00 out the door. It run so quite, 80 mile/hour still quite. report more later.

    V/r

    Khoi Nguyen
     
  14. calirider

    calirider ECOmobile

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    I got a Prius for MPG and that is it so I only do things that keep my MPG the same or improve it. There is no way I would take a 5 MPG hit for tires. I can vouch for Mitchlen Energy Savers and normally a lot of other people do too. Either way Mitchlen is a great tire so you can't go wrong, just depends what your looking for.
     
    #14 calirider, Jun 12, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2015
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  15. lester williams

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    Put Premiers on my 2014 to get rid of the junky factory tires and did NOT take a hit on mpg. Liked them so well, put a set on wife's 2012 ''v'', we are both happy. Neither lost any mpg--- ymmv.
     
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Now I'm torn. (n)
     
  17. Duffer

    Duffer Member

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    Tires take a while to break in and tire pressures may be set lower by installers to get that great ride out of the gate. I have heard of mpg hits going with Defender and Premier tires. Sorry lester williams. Your mpg hit may not be as bad. Defenders will be going on my Prius soon.
     
  18. HaroldW

    HaroldW Active Member

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    Are the Defenders a LRR tire? H
     
  19. Duffer

    Duffer Member

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    I just checked the site. Defenders have Green Technology that allow them to roll easily. They don't roll as easy as a full blown green tire, but they have a great wear rating 820 A B! The tread width of the Defender is listed at 7.4" for 195/65R15 so the profile is more square than other tires. Premiers are listed as 5.5" tread width.
     
    #19 Duffer, Jun 13, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2015
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  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    ^ That about sums it up. They're listed as GreenX, but are a couple of "steps" down on a Michelin "fuel efficiency" scale:

    Energy A/S: 10 (out of 10, I assume)
    Premier A/S: 9
    Defender: 8

    Here's the Michelin page:

    2010 Toyota Prius Base Tires | Michelin Tires

    And TireRack dutifully echo's Michelin's statement:

    Capture.JPG


    It seems like there's a broad swath of LRR range, maybe 30~50% of a manufacturer's tires are in it. Standardized testing is really long overdue. :(
     
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