LRR Tires for Prius

miket · #1 06-27-2008, 09:53 PM

I need to replace the OEM tires on my 2006 Prius. I have read numerous posts about replacement tires on this and other web sites, but still can't determine which is the best tire for FE for the Prius. Is there a 185/65/15 LRR replacement tire for the Prius? If not, what other sizes can be used without effecting the speedometer?

kayakwill · #2 06-28-2008, 12:26 AM

Hey miket,

I'm in close to the same position - got 51K on the Integrities. I think I've settled on either the General Altimax HT or the Sumitomo H4 for two reasons: 1) sidewall rating of 51psi and 2) they are both relatively lightweight (~18lbs). With the higher sidewall rating, I hope to get better efficiency and the lighter weight should help by reducing the spinning weight. The other tire I've looked at is the Michelin X club tire available at Costco - mentioned in several other threads as a good LRR tire. Hope to get others with direct experience to weigh in here.

Meanwhile, I've got my OEM's up to 62/60 - getting great results so far!

Cheers, Will

CitrusInsighter · #3 06-28-2008, 12:58 AM

I also wanted the Michelin X tire when choosing replacements for my Mom's Prius with the stock Integrities at about 55k going into winter. Unfortunately, we don't have access to a Costco, and went with the next best rated tire from Michelin, the Harmony. It has much better wet traction, snow traction, dry handling, road noise, treadlife (supposedly), and pretty much everything else better than the stock Integrities. We noticed no drop off in mileage, and that was going from well worn (55k mile) rubber, to brand new tires with full tread.

It makes sense to choose a tire with lower weight to reduce the rotational weight, but I don't see the value in choosing a higher sidewall psi, when you're going to exceed it anyway. The new Michelin's have a sidewall pressure of 44 psi, as did the Integrities. We inflated both sets to 60 in summer and 50 in snowy winter with great results. Does the MAX Sidewall value say anything about the tire? I've noticed that cheaper tires tend to have lower numbers. My old Plymouth Reliant had a set of the cheapest tires available at Wal-Mart and they were rated at 35 max sidewall. All of the other tires sitting on our driveway currently say 44 psi, and all but 4 (out of 22 tires-5 cars and one trailer) are inflated at or above that number.

msirach · #4 06-28-2008, 06:56 AM

Sam's Club also carries the "X". I've ordered tires online before and had them shipped to and installed in the store.

krousdb · #5 06-28-2008, 01:23 PM

Per Wayne Brown's Prius Energy Use Simulator Software, the OEM Integrity has a rollling resistance of 0.0077 at 38 psi and 0.0064 at 44 psi. By comparison, the Michelin Hydroedge measures 0.0089 and 0.0070 at the same pressures. You would be hard pressed to beat the OEM tire. I learned this the hard way when I installed Conti Premiercontact tires which got the best rating for LRR by consumer reports. Even after 3000 miles, I still had a 4 MPG loss compared with the OEM. I sold the Conti's and replaced with new OEM's and got the 4 MPG back.

philmcneal · #6 06-28-2008, 01:28 PM

so nothing beats oem eh? not even the michellins (i heard michellins is the king of LRR tires) MX4 energy series (camry hybrid stock tire i believe), my gut goes with having the integrity is an outdated LRR design when new ones are around the block (like the new tires on the ford escape hybrid 2009!) but cannot buy in stores yet :S

xcel · #7 06-28-2008, 01:30 PM

Hi Dan:

___Nice to hear from you again as it has been a long time.

___About the Integrity’’s. They are not the best traction based tire by a long shot but they are inexpensive and if you really need to change them for winter snow and ice, you can pick up some Blizzak’s for the 2.5 to 3.5 months when you need those. Place the Integrity’s back on once spring arrives and you will receive decent FE during the warmer months

___Good Luck

___Wayne

roadrunner · #8 07-08-2008, 07:16 PM

Thanks for the info. I just ordered (4) Integrity P185/65SR-15 for my Yaris HB. I will let you know a few months from now if I see any difference in mpg. My old tires RE92's were 872 revs per mile, and the new will be 855 revs per mile, a 2% difference, that I will have to adjust for.

krousdb · #9 07-09-2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xcel

Hi Dan:

___Nice to hear from you again as it has been a long time.

___About the Integrity’’s. They are not the best traction based tire by a long shot but they are inexpensive and if you really need to change them for winter snow and ice, you can pick up some Blizzak’s for the 2.5 to 3.5 months when you need those. Place the Integrity’s back on once spring arrives and you will receive decent FE during the warmer months

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi Wayne!
One can find fairly newish (less than 1000 miles)OEM tires at Prius Chat in the for sale forum. They normally go for $15-25 each. When you get them new, there is no way to guarantee that you are getting Prius OEM, so I would stick with ones that I know were removed from a Prius. I have been told that there is a difference. If you need to have snow tires, I would recommend getting a set of Corolla steelies.

miket · #10 07-09-2008, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krousdb

Per Wayne Brown's Prius Energy Use Simulator Software, the OEM Integrity has a rollling resistance of 0.0077 at 38 psi and 0.0064 at 44 psi. By comparison, the Michelin Hydroedge measures 0.0089 and 0.0070 at the same pressures. You would be hard pressed to beat the OEM tire. I learned this the hard way when I installed Conti Premiercontact tires which got the best rating for LRR by consumer reports. Even after 3000 miles, I still had a 4 MPG loss compared with the OEM. I sold the Conti's and replaced with new OEM's and got the 4 MPG back.

I was considering the ContiPremierContacts, but have decided against them. However, I am still considering the ContiProContacts as they have gotten good reviews on some other sites.

Miket