The "prius tires" misconception

[WhiteGDB]

Ok I'm making this thread out of pure frustration since "auto journalists" are still using "prius tires" or "same tires as the prius" in their reviews of the BRZ/FR-S/86 and posters here assuming they're the low resistance/high milage tires on every non-sports packaged prius.

Those would be these 15" tires: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...&filterType=oe

According to reviews, press photos, and official photos we can assume the BRZ/FR-S/86 will be coming with Michelin Primacy HP tires which are listed as a grand touring summer tire here: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....del=Primacy+HP. Yes they do come standard on JDM prius' with performance package. Although they're not high performance summer tires, they're better than all-seasons and far from the standard tires on non-sports packaged prius' in the first link.

Why do I specify JDM prius? because performance packed US models come with Michelin Pilot HX MXM4, just your run of the mill all-seasons that were standard on a variety of other vehicles before they became standard on the top model prius.

So even though the BRZ/FR-S/86 won't come with high performance summer tires, they're better than people think. Just watch the test drives, when someone gets sideways it's because they wanted to, not because of the so-called "prius tires"

[serialk11r]

Wait um, are you sure about the Primacy HP? In the US I think the Prius option is the Primacy MXM4, which is an all season. Or maybe I'm wrong.

[WingsofWar]

I too had to look up this "misconception" about the Michelin Primacy HP tires a while back. They don't look all that bad. did i get frustrated? nah...

The key things the Journalist and the manufactures I think are trying to get across, is that normal and economical tires, are enough rubber to get good road feel and performance without the nagging feeling that you need better "grippier" tires.

In the case of a similar car, the s14 240sx, with 17x8 (215/50), i felt that the car performed like garbage when dealing with economical all season tires. going with a slightly larger contact patch and harder sidewall..(225/45) and All season performance tires i felt the car handled the way it should be.

In the case of the ZN6/ZC6 ...from the reviews it sounds to me that they are using the "prius tires" as a term to describe that its using rubber thats not performance oriented and still get good control. Not to be confused with garbage tires...

[Dark]

I didn't even bother pointing out. Thanks for creating this thread.

[duffman13]

They're also the same tires that S-class Mercedes get the last time I checked.

They're a summer tire most importantly, which is leagues better than some crap all season rubber cubes.

[Dave-ROR]

This is already known, and has been known. I don't understand the point of rehashing this again.

[tripjammer]

Oh so they are not all season tires? I thought they were. Cool!

Man these tires are expensive about $223 to $261 each on tirerack.com for the:

225/45R17 size

[WhiteGDB]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

This is already known, and has been known. I don't understand the point of rehashing this again.

This is known to those who took a little time to research, but for many the misconception
and the use of the term "prius tires" still exist. I figure it's easier to have a dedicated thread about it than to repeat yourself everytime a poster uses "prius tires" thinking they're the junk low resistance tires.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by WhiteGDB

This is known to those who took a little time to research, but for many the misconception
and the use of the term "prius tires" still exist. I figure it's easier to have a dedicated thread about it than to repeat yourself everytime a poster uses "prius tires" thinking they're the junk low resistance tires.

It still exists because it's still accurate, or do you actually expect magazines to write "prius tires (in Japan with the sport package)"?

And they are junk compared to other options out there

[tripjammer]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

It still exists because it's still accurate, or do you actually expect magazines to write "prius tires (in Japan with the sport package)"?

And they are junk compared to other options out there

Yes I agree they are junk and they are expensive compared to what is out there. They could have picked a better tire. Was it not "Build By Passion Not By Committee"?

Well if it keeps the car cheap...oops not in Japan and Europe.

I actually understand the folks now that want the AS1 with steel 16 inch wheels on them, because we all are going to junk the stock tires and rims and put something else on it.

But hey we are always get 4 donut spare tires and go auto crossing!

[2fast4you]

Originally Posted by tripjammer

Yes I agree they are junk and they are expensive compared to what is out there. They could have picked a better tire. Was it not "Build By Passion Not By Committee"?

This has been discussed ad nauseam: for the average driver (e.g. not you, me, or most on this forum) those tires are more than enough. For the rest of us, it's best to have tires we won't feel guilty trashing.

[WhiteGDB]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

It still exists because it's still accurate, or do you actually expect magazines to write "prius tires (in Japan with the sport package)"?

And they are junk compared to other options out there

Why not? Car and Driver did it: "We asked Tada about the tires, and he told us, 'They are Prius tires.' You might think he’s joking, but he’s not. The Michelin Primacy HP tires are identical to those in the Prius’s optional Plus Performance package" and as far as I know was the only review to clarify it.

For you to think the term "prius tires" is accurate would suggest the Primacy HPs were design specifically for the prius, which they weren't. No one's arguing they are good tires as there are always better options than stock tires, but they're not junk compared to the standard non-performance prius tires.

You know as well as I know that posters have continued to believe they are the same low resistance tires on standard prius' and this thread is for those people.

[FRSpdDmn]

The tires were 1 of the 3 key design elements that Tada-san had to fight for. The other were RWD only and NON-turbo. The car was designed for the enjoyment of driving. This does not mean that it must be the fastest car in it's class. It will not win drag races, g-force competitions, or post lap records in it's stock configuration. However, it will be a hoot to drive! It is more fun driving a slow car fast than a fast car slow (you can only go SO fast before drawing excessive negative attention).

Having lots of experience in very slow and very fast cars alike, this car is a very refreshing return to a pure driving car, given the current market trends (more power! bigger tires! huge-ass brakes! big wing! techno-wizardry! the car will do the driving for you!).

We do not need more of everything in order to have fun. Just make all the components capable to withstand the way in which it will be driven and work on the balance, the feedback, and the experience. If people feel the need and desire to upgrade some aspects of the car (which is inevitable and a huge part of the marketing and profitability of these cars through TRD and STi parts), then they can go ahead and knock themselves out!

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by WhiteGDB

Why not? Car and Driver did it: "We asked Tada about the tires, and he told us, 'They are Prius tires.' You might think he’s joking, but he’s not. The Michelin Primacy HP tires are identical to those in the Prius’s optional Plus Performance package" and as far as I know was the only review to clarify it.

For you to think the term "prius tires" is accurate would suggest the Primacy HPs were design specifically for the prius, which they weren't. No one's arguing they are good tires as there are always better options than stock tires, but they're not junk compared to the standard non-performance prius tires.

You know as well as I know that posters have continued to believe they are the same low resistance tires on standard prius' and this thread is for those people.

When I think "Prius" tires I think of tires that come on a prius, in some form or fashion. That's it.

I recall a few pointing out that they were not standard prius tires.