Geographical Multipurpose: Tires and Other Concerns

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by J-nomadic, Oct 19, 2025 at 1:20 PM.

  1. J-nomadic

    J-nomadic New Member

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    Location:
    Las Vegas
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Hey all!

    Finally posting after so many years of leaning on this forum (or maybe I just lost my old account ;^)

    Anyhoo, I'm looking to get some new tires on my trusty '06 Gen 2 rolling with 226K.

    The situation is that I am preparing to move cross-country and it looks like the best option I have is to do the drive. I'm excited and also slightly anxious to get the preparations right and make sure my ride will handle the journey and be prepared for the seasonal climate at the destination.

    A little backstory for context: the car was handled in a very very premium way up until 117K, at which point I inherited it. Since then I have been perfect with the oil changes, always full synthetic, and have done various fixes and maintenance like plugs, rear hubs/bearings (recently), struts (2012), and axle (2022). The hybrid battery was replaced at the dealership in 2013. Have not always kept up with various flushes so I have been getting the materials together for doing transmission and brake flushes and check the various systems and tubing.

    Mainly I am looking for advice for an upcoming tire purchase -- but of course and pre-journey advice is welcome! I am planning to drive from Vegas to DC. The tires have about 15-20% tread left on them and I think one of the tires may be running on a flat repair, so I think it's definitely time to get some new rubber for the road.

    Main tire selection considerations are, in this order:

    - Weather performance on the way and expected seasonal at the destination -- Good for freezing temps/snow/rain.
    - Mileage -- Important but I'm not a stickler for absolute best.
    / Noise -- Not super important but hopefully don't have to compromise too much on this.
    \ Wear -- I rank this last because I am thinking to sell within a year. Roughly equal to noise in importance.

    So far I have narrowed it down to these two brands and models:

    Faulken Aklimate
    ControlContact Tour A/S

    Also wondering: All-Season vs All-Weather -- any real difference?

    Thanks a million! :^)
     
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
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    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Whichever will be gone you're coming to my side of the US. Run cheap tyres on the Gen 2 I run a brand called Ecosa 195 65 15 great all round tyre 53 buc a pop . Year round car handles just wonderful and we drive the car not the other way round . Prius is Corolla family you should be able to drive across country with minimal prep . Oil change tire pressures coolant check no need change all the fluids. At you under 150K you're just broken in well . Brakes need be good . Slide on new front pads . It's cheap to do in driveway. You'll probably get to DC without incident long boring drive .