[davebtw]

Yesterday I broke down (due to cost) and put P18565R14 Michelin Hydroedge Tires on my Classic Prius. After reading everything I could find, this seemed the best choice as an upgrade to the horrible OEM tires.

Questions:

1. During my research I was concerned about comments on this tire in snow. I don't expect snow tire performance, but I am interested in comments from those with winter driving experience with these tires on classic Prius?

2. What tire pressures do you run in your classic Prius?

3. What mileage / speedometer changes do you notice?

Comments:

I have driven all of 25 miles so far. The car feels glued to the road compared to the old ones. Handling is certainly different. The tires needed fewer balance weights than the originals. Also needed more air the day after mounting.

 

[BIF]

John1701a has posted some experiences regarding his Hydroedges, I believe. Search this forum, and visit his website and see his logs at http://john1701a.com for more info.

 

[Phoenix]

Michelin HydroEdge Tires

I have about 25,000 miles on these tires; and although you can tell they are not new, there is hardly any wear on the tread. I got the same size as you (185x65R14) and am running 44/40.

I started at 36/32, figuring the Michelins were a little bit bigger and didn't need as high a pressure. Also, they were only rated at 44psi, instead of 50, so I didn't want to over-do it. But, the mileage dropped about 5-7 mpg over the OEM Bridgestones. After pumping them up a few pounds at a time until the fronts were at the rated maximum, the mileage is about the same as the OEM tires. Check where the tread is wearing, especially on the fronts. If the wear extends very much over the edge of the tread, past the edge of the sipes and onto the sidewall, the air pressure is too low.

I ran lower pressures for the first few thousand miles, figuring the HydroEdges were a compromise for better tread wear (sacrificing mpg); but then I noticed that the tires weren't wearing evenly, scrubbing off the shoulders (on the front tires). After working my way up to 44/40, they now wear flat all the way across. And, the mpg is back up to "normal."

Speedometer error was 1 mph slower than actual speed (checked with a GPS) when tires were new; and the speedometer is right on, after 25,000 miles.

I have driven in light snow, and the HydroEdges run fine on that. But, being in AZ, we probably won't have the opportunity of seeing much more than an inch or two on the road, and that only in the mountains. You can really tell the difference on wet roads though. See my other recent post on a close call about a week or two ago.

I think you'll be happy with your purchase. I expect the HydroEdges to run the full 80,000 miles, or more.

Happy driving!

 

[davebtw]

Hello Phoenix,

Thanks very much for the pressure recommendations. I have suspected that I needed to run the fronts more toward the maximum. I filled them to 42/40 as a starting point. I'll keep an eye on the wear pattern for sure.

I have already searched the forum and read all of John1701a's sutff and Phoenix's posts.

What I found lacking was specific comments on the three issues I mentioned. I am still very interested in hearing more about snow traction.

 

[davebtw]

Well today I replaced my Hydroedges. They went 51,600 miles and were worn to 3/32" all four. They did wear on the edges a bit more than they should have. I have run higher pressure, but not high enough I guess. I have been very happy with the tires and have had no hit in mileage. Due to a full warranty I got $180 bucks off due to early wear, so it was worth it.

 

[Phoenix]

The first set of HydroEdges on our 2002 Prius lasted 65,000 miles and I replaced them early for convenience and safety. The tires would have run 80,000 miles, but we were getting ready for a long, southwest desert roadtrip in August, and I didn't want to risk tire trouble; so I replaced them early. I would have kept them, if not for the summer roadtrip.

I am now about 30,000 miles into a second set of HydroEdges, and they are just as reliable and long wearing as the first. I am still running 44/42, and they are wearing evenly, like the first set.

A few years ago, we drove a little on ice; and the HydroEdges didn't work worth a darn, but I think all tires are about the same on ice, if they don't have studs. We have driven in light snow and some heavy rain, and they seem to work well, though these are not snow tires. They run cool and quiet on Arizona highways both winter and summer, and have proven to be high mileage, reliable tires. I will buy HydroEdges again, if I don't replace our 2002 Prius before the current set wears out.