New Treads for the Prius

msirach · #1 11-27-2011, 11:24 PM

Our 2010 Prius turned 2 years old in early June and is pushing 60,000 miles. Maintenance has been nearly non existent. I did pay $35 this summer to get an airbag light cleared. It was showing an alarm for a side airbag and they found a loose connection.
The Yokahama Avid's have performed well, but are ready to be changed.

I have looked at several brands and finally settled on the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max P195/65R-15 89H VSB from Discount Tire. The last few sets of tires have came from Tire Rack, but they couldn't come close to the Discount Tire deal.

From Discount Tire,they were $104 each and $416 for a set of four. There was a $50 online ordering discount which brought the "out the door" price down to $366 with FREE shipping and $0.00 tax. After I receive them, I can submit a form for $40 back from Good Year.
To get them installed locally and tire disposal will be about $70. So the total installed price will be less than $400.

Harold · #2 11-28-2011, 09:40 AM

That is a very good price! I paid 200 more, but then I am in Canada! Have you had them on long and what are your thoughts on these skins? H

bestmapman · #3 11-28-2011, 08:17 PM

I am approaching 80,000 on my Prius and also need some new tires shortly.

msirach · #4 11-28-2011, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestmapman

I am approaching 80,000 on my Prius and also need some new tires shortly.

80,000. Wow, you have been driving! Did yours come with the Potenza's?

bestmapman · #5 11-29-2011, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msirach

80,000. Wow, you have been driving! Did yours come with the Potenza's?

Since we went down to 1 car, we use it for everything now, so it racks up the mileage. The tires are Bridgestone Ecopia EP-20. They still have some tread left, but with winter approaching, I an going to get a new tires with fresh tread as winter sets in.

msirach · #6 11-29-2011, 10:34 AM

The Potenzas have more tread than I usually change, but this is my wife's car.

Mendel Leisk · #7 11-29-2011, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestmapman

Since we went down to 1 car, we use it for everything now, so it racks up the mileage. The tires are Bridgestone Ecopia EP-20. They still have some tread left, but with winter approaching, I an going to get a new tires with fresh tread as winter sets in.

IMHO the Bridgestone Ecopia EP20 is a good combo: LRR, relatively cheap, long wearing. Downsides I can think of, based on the Bridgestone Insignia SE200, with identical tread pattern:

1. Get's noisy over time.

2. Snow traction get's really bad once the tread is down to say 5~6/32" remaining.

If you're using separate snows the latter is a moot point.

The EP20 is the replacement tire I put on our previous '06 Civic Hybrid, it's still in the family. They're available through Costco, though we had to wait a while for ours. I actually just had them in my hands, swapping to snow tires for my son, and some kilometers now they're looking fine, light, even wear.

msirach · #8 11-29-2011, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harold

That is a very good price! I paid 200 more, but then I am in Canada! Have you had them on long and what are your thoughts on these skins? H

I just ordered them. I got shipping and tracking info this morning. It will be at least Friday before I can get them put on if they get here.

Harold · #9 11-29-2011, 02:37 PM

O.k, I thought you already had them mounted! H

msirach · #10 12-02-2011, 10:16 PM

The new tires came in yesterday from Discount Tire. Good Price, prompt shipping, and great tracking info gave me a great experience Discount Tire Online. Free shipping on 76lbs. of tires clenched the deal. I had them installed at a regional tire dealer in my town today. My neighbor is the general manager and didn't hassle me when he saw me at the counter (again) with a set of tires from "elsewhere." $76 for mounting, balancing, and disposal and I was out the door. I didn't try to get them pressed to the "proper" psi since I live about 2 miles from the shop. The door placard 35psi front and 33psi rear would be fine until I got home.....I THOUGHT!

This light illuminated about 1 mile from home.

The tire pressures were: 33 lf, 30 lr, 29.5 rr, 29 rf. I was in a hurry so I only put 45 psi all around. The sidewall max recommended pressure is 51psi. I was happy to see that they were stamped: Made in the USA

I just drove a few miles near town this evening. Tomorrow they will get a couple of hundred miles on them. So far they feel like they handle well and are more quiet than the replaced Potenza's.