Have to replace tires, what would you recommend?

Why not get more of the original tires? They really do allow pretty good fuel economy.

 

Dude, get some good cheap tires, the MPG difference is negligible. I even went up one size to W's (much better ride) and lost less than 2 MPG.

I had two sets of Goodyear Assurance comfort read and now I have Pirelli P3000's. I get about 50k to 55k out of a set of tires and each set costs about $200 installed.

I lost about 2 MPG TOTAL between going with the non-LRR tires AND increasing the size. (Again much better ride and handling)

 

Goodyear Assurance TripleTreds 195/60/15

I like Goodyear Assurance TripleTreds in the 195/60/15 size. They're Consumer Reports and TireRack's highest rated passenger all season tire. They will markedly improve your car's handling, especially in wet conditions, and your car's braking distances (the Prius' braking distances with the OEM Integrities in the OEM size are subpar ... they rank only in the 30th percentile of the approx. 270 current model cars Consumer Reports has road tested). They'll cost around $450 installed.

But there are other good tires out there too. Consider reading nyprius' excellent thread on the subject, especially his initial opening post:

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-modifications/20573-tire-upgrade.html

Good luck.

 

I'm planning to buy Nokian WRG2 in the Touring size, or close to it, for my new Touring.

From everything I've read, they are wonderful in snow and all year long and won't require changing tires twice a year. Supposed to be MUCH better than OEM Bridgestone.

Quebec law requires "Snowflake" this coming winter, but I'd want snows anyway.

I may just throw out or try to sell the OEM Bridgestones.

 

I am in debate on moving up to the 195 tires in the next month or two when I replace my tires. How significant of an impact do you think the wider tires played vs the better grade of tires in terms of improving road handling.

 

I found the Michelin Energy has been replaced by the Michelin Primacy. I paid about $106 each installed and balanced. At first I thought they reduced my mileage but I added air somewhat above the standard - 40/38 and the mileage is about the same as the original Goodyear tires. The car does handle better and may be somewhat quieter.

 

I don't know exactly, but I think the greater width accounts for a lot of the impact. I believe that generally the greater the size of the contact area the better the handling, including traction.

I wish there were same tire/different size comparison tests available, but I haven't seen any.

The closest thing I've seen is Consumer Reports' road tests of the Standard Prius with its 185/65/15 Integrities and the Touring Prius with its 195/55/16 Turenzas. The Touring had 10 feet dry and 12 feet wet shorter 60-0 mph braking distances than the Standard.

 

That's a pretty significant difference, if it saves my butt just once it will be worth it. I think I'm definitely going to do it now. By the way I noticed on the video a few weeks ago of the Prius from Chicago to NY on one tank with Wayne. It looked as if that was a touring model (based on the different rims). Which means to me that the wider tires difference on mileage would be marginal at best.

 

It's a huge difference in braking performance. I just don't know for sure exactly how much of that difference is due to the wider tread. But I think it is true though, that all other things being equal, a wider tread will result in better handling, traction (except in deep water) and braking.

As to mileage, Consumer Reports got 42 mpg with the Touring, and 44 mpg with the Standard.