New Tires - Brief Review

  • Thread starter Thread starter descolado
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies Replies 22
  • Views Views 6K
D

descolado

Member
Hi all,

41k miles on my Solar Silver Clarity and still loving it.

Recently replaced the stock Michelin Energy Saver A/S tires with 235/45R-18 CONTINENTAL PURECONTACT LS SL. I found these based on feedback from some Tesla Model 3 drivers on other forums, and I have to say they're living up to the reports.

I live in South Florida and the Michelin Energy Savers would hydroplane quite a bit during our frequent summer/early fall rainy season. Per feedback from the tire installer, they think it may be a weight thing as the Michelin Energy Saver A/S's were originally designed for the Prius..which I think our car outweighs by at least 800 lbs.

After driving the Continental PureContact's for a week now I have to say the ride quality has become more comfortable, and the tires themselves seem quieter and grip better than the stock ones Michelin Energy Saver's. Haven't been able to see how they do in the rain yet, but I'll update this post once we get a shower.

No apparent changes to my fuel economy (granted, I have a lead foot) and, as stated, big improvements to my overall ride quality and driving security.

Hope this may be helpful for you in the future when you get around to needing new tires!
 
Last edited:
descolado said:
Hi all,

41k miles on my Solar Silver Clarity and still loving it.

Recently replaced the stock Michelin Energy Saver A/S tires with 235/45R-18 CONTINENTAL PURECONTACT LS SL. I found these based on feedback from some Tesla Model 3 drivers on other forums, and I have to say they're living up to the reports.

I live in South Florida and the Michelin Energy Savers would hydroplane quite a bit during our frequent summer/early fall rainy season. Per feedback from the tire installer, they think it may be a weight thing as the Michelin Energy Saver A/S's were originally designed for the Prius..which I think our car outweighs by at least 800 lbs.

After driving the Continental PureContact's for a week now I have to say the ride quality has become more comfortable, and the tires themselves seem quieter and grip better than the stock ones Michelin Energy Saver's. Haven't been able to see how they do in the rain yet, but I'll update this post once we get a shower.

No apparent changes to my fuel economy (granted, I have a lead foot) and, as stated, big improvements to my overall ride quality and driving security.

Hope this may be helpful for you in the future when you get around to needing new tires!
Click to expand...

descolado

Thanks for the review. Always helpful to get multiple inputs.
 
Good to know. I may replace mine well before they wear out. I hate the OEM tires' lack of traction even on a dry road. I can't even take a long curving onramp at 30mph without them squealing :(
 
descolado said:
I live in South Florida and the Michelin Energy Savers would hydroplane quite a bit during our frequent summer/early fall rainy season. Per feedback from the tire installer, they think it may be a weight thing as the Michelin Energy Saver A/S's were originally designed for the Prius..which I think our car outweighs by at least 800 lbs.
Click to expand...
I cannot understand how a heavier car would aquaplane more than a lighter car. I can understand how the tread pattern and tire composition would make a difference, but would a 1,000-lb car with the Michelins aquaplane less than a Prius?
 
insightman said:
I cannot understand how a heavier car would aquaplane more than a lighter car. I can understand how the tread pattern and tire composition would make a difference, but would a 1,000-lb car with the Michelins aquaplane less than a Prius?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I hear your logic. It's also my understanding that the lighter a vehicle, the more likely it would be to hydroplane. I am quoting the tire installer above, and can't speak eloquently enough to the physics of it to have a solid judgment.

What I can say is the stock tires are much slicker, having the low rolling resistance.. So I'm guessing that is the actual issue.

Tire Rack had similar less than favorable reports around wet road traction by both by buyers and through their independent research. Ultimately, I'm guessing the low rolling resistance is more of a factor than vehicle weight, but what do I know?

I will say, I'm pleased with the Continentals and the already comfortable ride quality has become even nicer on rougher/construction highway. It also rained here yesterday evening and there was no noticeable wheel spin while cornering or going over an intracoastal bridge. Didn't push it of course!
 
Apparently being knowledgeable about tires is not a prerequisite for a tire installer.

Continental makes good tires.

Would you provide us with some additional information regarding your OEM tires?

Did you measure the tread depth prior to replacing them?

Were there any uneven wear patterns?

What tire pressure did you maintain?
 
Last edited:
insightman said:
I cannot understand how a heavier car would aquaplane more than a lighter car. I can understand how the tread pattern and tire composition would make a difference, but would a 1,000-lb car with the Michelins aquaplane less than a Prius?
Click to expand...
Is mostly the tire width, is the same with the snow, more surface you less likely the tires will grip and create a new thread into water/snow, it will mostly likely plan over it. Prius has 195, clarity has 235. There the huge difference. That's also why most people go with less width in winter than summer.
 
Landshark said:
A Prius will hydroplane if there is a 30% chance of rain in the forecast. We had one for 10 years.
Click to expand...
Ive had one for about ten years as well(on my second Prius now). IMO it’s all about the tires. Continental truecontact are amazing on my ‘13 Prius. Excellent control in the rain for the first 50k miles or so. With 50k they are about as good as new Michelin’s. My experience with Michelin is that they are at best average tires that cost a whole lot. I would only consider them if they were about 40% cheaper.
I can’t wait to wear out the crappy, expensive, factory tires on my clarity.
 
Landshark said:
Take them off and sell them. At least you’ll get something out of it. Sell the wheels too. I’ve heard they go for $1100 each.
Click to expand...

That’s a great idea. I would prefer 16’s or 17’s anyway. Tires have 27k miles so not a whole lot of tread left but I’m going to ask my local tire guy about some aero wheels that might fit.
Who’s buying those wheels? Would you just put them on eBay?
Oh and I scratched two of them already. The tires are perfectly flush with the wheels (for aero I think) and they have zero forgiveness if you rub a curb even slightly.


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
 
Comparing tires are difficult because you mostly remember the lousy performance of old worn tires and comparing with new tires. The new tires would always be better.

The oem michelins are different from the aftermarket michelins. When i bought replacement michelins, they had rim guards, oem did not. They were same model.
 
Last edited:
Evfred said:
I’m curious if anyone has considered going up to 235 50 (vs 45 stock) 18 for a cushier rise?
Click to expand...

A 235/50 will be an inch taller. Clearance issues?

They will also have 3.8% larger circumference. Taller gearing?

A 235/50-17 would be a nearly perfect match to the OEM tires. But what exactly isn’t already cushy about the stock ride?
 
Landshark said:
A 235/50 will be an inch taller. Clearance issues?

They will also have 3.8% larger circumference. Taller gearing?

A 235/50-17 would be a nearly perfect match to the OEM tires. But what exactly isn’t already cushy about the stock ride?
Click to expand...

Nothing - wouldn’t mind cushier though. Not sure about clearance issues but if there are none I'm entertaining trying out 50. Might help out a bit on highway as well with the taller gearing.
 
Just a quick note that I would not generalize about Michelin. The Tire Rack list 9 different models of Michelin in 15 different varieties in the Clarity’s size. Some of them are very highly rated and reviewed, so don’t feel tied to the Energy Savers. That’s probably the case for any tire manufacture because the Clarity has a very common size tire.
 
Sandroad said:
Just a quick note that I would not generalize about Michelin. The Tire Rack list 9 different models of Michelin in 15 different varieties in the Clarity’s size. Some of them are very highly rated and reviewed, so don’t feel tied to the Energy Savers. That’s probably the case for any tire manufacture because the Clarity has a very common size tire.
Click to expand...

I’ll keep an open mind about them but I’m pretty sold on the continentals right now.


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
 
descolado said:
Hi all,

41k miles on my Solar Silver Clarity and still loving it.

Recently replaced the stock Michelin Energy Saver A/S tires with 235/45R-18 CONTINENTAL PURECONTACT LS SL. I found these based on feedback from some Tesla Model 3 drivers on other forums, and I have to say they're living up to the reports.

I live in South Florida and the Michelin Energy Savers would hydroplane quite a bit during our frequent summer/early fall rainy season. Per feedback from the tire installer, they think it may be a weight thing as the Michelin Energy Saver A/S's were originally designed for the Prius..which I think our car outweighs by at least 800 lbs.

After driving the Continental PureContact's for a week now I have to say the ride quality has become more comfortable, and the tires themselves seem quieter and grip better than the stock ones Michelin Energy Saver's. Haven't been able to see how they do in the rain yet, but I'll update this post once we get a shower.

No apparent changes to my fuel economy (granted, I have a lead foot) and, as stated, big improvements to my overall ride quality and driving security.

Hope this may be helpful for you in the future when you get around to needing new tires!
Click to expand...
Thanks, will keep this in mind when the time comes here in SW Florida.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top