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Time to replace tires, which one?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by FM_SC, Aug 9, 2014.

  1. FM_SC

    FM_SC Junior Member

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    My 2012 Plug-in Prius is in need of tire replacement. It is at 54k miles as I have a 100 mile per day commute. Question is which tire should I go for. I always get my tires at Costco when they have $70 off for a set. Current special is for Bridgestone. They have an Ecopia model for a little under $100. I read some bad reviews for it. What is the collective wisdom for replacement tires. I care about safety first, then mileage and thread life.
     
    #1 FM_SC, Aug 9, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2014
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    michelin energy saver a/s.
     
  3. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    Michelin Defenders is my favorite. 90,000 mile tread warranty. Very quiet and good handling tire.
     
  4. FM_SC

    FM_SC Junior Member

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    How are they for mileage? I have seen to keep the current mileage I am getting, perhaps energy savers are a little better. What has been your experience with these?
     
  5. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    I did not lose any mileage with Defenders. I think some people may have lost a little. I think if you do lose a little it is worth it for the quality you are getting but that is my opinion. I'm sure you will get some more opinions.
     
  6. kc410

    kc410 Active Member

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    I got the Defenders from Costco on June 9 & have got ~7K on them - wonderful tire! Quiet!
    I had Toyo Versado eco & ran them at 44/42 psi.
    I decided to run the Defenders at 44 psi all the way around.
    The mileage hit I've seen is more from running the AC full time.
    June July Aug Sep is really hot here.
    A couple days when it has not been _really_ hot I've not run the AC & the mpg jumps back up to close to what I was getting on the old Toyo tires.
    Running the tires at max sidewall pressure seems to be the key to max mpg.
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Could you at least spell out the name of that tire? EP20, EP422? Or?

    And clarify "a little"?

    Sorry, grouchy ;)
     
  8. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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  9. ImitationKrab

    ImitationKrab New Member

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    I have Goodyear Fuel Max tires on my 2013 Prius Plug-in. They are what came with the car. Granted I live in a place with moderate temps and no extreme weather, but they are serving me just fine and aren't too expensive (had to replace one).

    That said, I think Michelin makes a superior product, but if the price is right, I think you could be fine on either.
     
  10. FM_SC

    FM_SC Junior Member

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    Sounds like Michelin Defender is the one to go with. They are not on sale at Costco this month, but the price is reasonable, I think around $115 per tire, so I will go with those.
     
  11. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    You will like them. Good handling, quiet, comfortable and long mileage.
     
  12. FM_SC

    FM_SC Junior Member

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    I hear people are saying this tire would result in about 5-7 mpg drop. That sounds a lot. Have you experienced this?
     
  13. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    No, I did not experience any change in MPG. Even if you do experience a slight drop that should change when the tires get broke in at about 1,000 miles or so. For the quality of the tire I would not be concerned about it. You are going to get about 90,000 miles out of them. $115.00 each is a good price.
     
  14. kc410

    kc410 Active Member

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    see post #5

     
  15. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    If you are worried about it you can called Michelin Customer Service at 1-800-846-3435 and seek their guidance. I call them and ask for their advice when I purchase new tires.
     
  16. FM_SC

    FM_SC Junior Member

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    Sounds like some of those 5-7 mpg lose cases may be rare. I will just go with these and call it a day. I am not that obsessive about tires. Sounds like this one is a good compromise in my case. Thanks again for sharing your experience.
     
  17. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I think you'll be happy you did NOT get the Bridgestone.

    I talked to "The Guy" at the tire shop at Costco. And let me put it this way.....he REALLY did NOT want to sell me a set of those. He more or less recommended ANYTHING but those.

    Now maybe he was just a grumpy non-fan of the product? But when the guy selling them, more or less goes...NOoooo! You don't want a set of those...I'd be hard pressed to buy them.
     
  18. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    I'll tell you one tire that I would not have if they would give me a free set and that is Bridgestone. The Bridgestone Turanzas came on a new 2007 Camry that I bought. They are crap. In the winter when I first drove my car in the morning they rode like they were perfectly square. Just horrible tires. I am strictly a Michelin person. Never had a bad experience with any Michelins and I have been buying them since 1976.
     
  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    If I may: a specific Bridgestone tire that I cannot say a bad thing about, is reasonably priced and readily available, and has very low RR: Ecopia EP20.

    The only fault: I would not use it, particularly once worn, in any significant snow. For me that's a non-issue, switching to snow tires.

    I've purchased them twice for a previous vehicle (still in family) requiring 195/65R15; they've given long life and LRR.
     
  20. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    I think you are the only one on this forum that claims no loss of mpg with these tires.