Best tires for the C-Max??

[homestead]

I would also go for a quieter tire too as long as the mpg's didn't suffer but for now

my tires only have about 30k on them so they can wait a little longer.

Edited February 18, 2017 by homestead

[AS2014]

I have 2013 CMax that is now 4 years old with 65000 miles with the org tires. I have brought my car in and had my tires rotated every 5000 miles , kept my tire pressure at 40 psi and those tires still have half of tread life left , this was told to me by my service dept manager when asking about buying new tires. My mileage today for my car is now 48 mpg, I think you overflating your tires to get better mileage is dangerous to you and your family.

Edited February 18, 2017 by AS2014

[joshg678]

I've been running about 42 psi but expect it to be lowered to 38 when I take it in

[Britishrocco]

any one driving Continental PURE CONTACT on their C-max? about to pull the trigger on a set and am not sure between those and the Michelin? review are good, even better than the Michelin.

 

any thought

[ptjones]

From the TireRack review Michelins get the best MPG's and several high MPG's cars use them. I got 64k+ miles on two sets. :)

 

Paul

[MaxHeadroom]

As for Low Rolling Resistance LRR tire technology (max MPG), Bridgestone and Michelin are very close according to the evidence I've seen at TireRack.com .

No significant difference in their low hysteresis rubber breakthroughs between those two companies.  Other companies may be lagging behind a bit.

I'd recommend the 

ECOPIA EP422 PLUS (V-SPEED RATED)

from TireRack.com or wherever you see them when you google that.  The Ecopia has more siping which can handle ice and snow better than our Michelin Energy Saver A/S tires we have OEM.  That said, I do like the OEM Michelins that come with the C-Max, but not for cold climates.  I run Michelin Xice3 tires in the winter.

 

Ecopia, with a lot of siping:

 

Our OEM Michelin Energy Savers:

 

Edited March 26, 2017 by MaxHeadroom

[MaxHeadroom]

And, the Ecopias (see above post) save you $100 per set of 4  compared to Michelins, and come with a much higher UTQG of 640 AA, very good, beats our OEM Michelins.

[ptjones]

Wonder if they last as long? :headscratch:

 

Paul

[jestevens]

I had Ecopia 422 on my Prius, they were a very nice tire but I thought they wore out fairly quickly.  It may have just been the way I was driving on them so best to hear from others too.  We have I guess what you could call light snow (16-20" max for an entire winter season) here in Central PA and they were fine on that car.

 

On the C-MAX I am still using the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max the dealer recommended as a replacement and they seem fine, although I don't rotate them like I should because I don't see the service bay as often with long oil change intervals.

Edited March 28, 2017 by jestevens

[plus 3 golfer]

I have Ecopia EP422 Plus tires currrently on with about 36.5 k miles.  Just measured tread depth in all groves and minimum in just under 5/32 in one outside groove with most at 5/32 or just above.  Cold tire pressure averages 47.2 psi (measured with ForScan App) at about 60 F ambient.

 

Assuming initial tread depth is 10/32 per spec, I'm get about 7.3 k miles per 1/32 on the Ecopias.  I usually replace my tires at just above wear bars or 3/32.  So, I'll should get at least 50 k miles out of the Ecopias.  

 

I replaced my OEM Michelins at 48 k miles because of excessive tire noise (rear camber issue - developed saw tooth edges and slight cupping on rear tires) with about 4/32 tread wear. Here's SnowStorm's rear camber fix.  Without tire noise, I believe I would have achieved 60 k miles on the Michelins if I could have put up with the noise on cross country trips.  So, based on my experience, I'd say the Michelins will last longer.

 

Currently, there is some feathering that I can feel on the Ecopias and some tire noise that maxs out at about 45 - 55 mph.  We'll see if it gets worse.  Also, it's hard to tell if there is a significant fuel economy difference between the tires.  But, I will say that I don't believe the Ecopias yield higher FE.   Based on simple averages of many longer highway trips, I'd say that the Michelins may be better by a several tenths of a mpg at highway speeds. 

 

Bottom line: is the cost saving worth it for the Ecopias?  I saved about $100 with the Ecopias over the Michelins (includes $70 rebates for both sets).  I'd say gas has averaged around $2+ a gallon since putting on the Ecopias.  So, the savings buys at most 50 gallons of fuel or about 2000 miles of driving - probably not worth buying the Ecopias.

 

Also, as far as handling, it's difficult for me to compare as the Michelins were worn and the Ecopias were new.  Best bet is to look at Tire Rack surveys.  Neither gets stellar consumer ratings.  I'll probably go with another brand when I replace tires again. :)

[ptjones]

Thanks for the update Ken, I got 64.5k and 64k  on my two sets of Michelins. I really like the cornering with 50psi, going 30+ mph in roundabouts, its a good way to get tailgaters off your bumper. :) I'm thinking that cross rotating tires every 5k miles might keep noise level down. I'm trying to on my current set. :headscratch:

 

Paul

[MaxHeadroom]

Wonder if they last as long? :headscratch:

 

Paul

The Ecopias are quite a bit thicker according to the UTQG number, that first number is thickness.

[MaxHeadroom]

I have Ecopia EP422 Plus tires currrently on with about 36.5 k miles.  ......more in post just  above......

I think you made a case for Ecopias.  The 2,000 free miles just in the up front price advantage alone, with comparable LRR performance, is plenty reason to buy Ecopias.

As for if the Ecopias getting better MPG than the Michelins, TireRack.com says they are about the same, and its the most reliable data we have.     (Goodyear, Yokohama, etc. lag behind Michelin & Bridgestone though).

[ptjones]

I think you made a case for Ecopias.  The 2,000 free miles just in the up front price advantage alone, with comparable LRR performance, is plenty reason to buy Ecopias.

As for if the Ecopias getting better MPG than the Michelins, TireRack.com says they are about the same, and its the most reliable data we have.     (Goodyear, Yokohama, etc. lag behind Michelin & Bridgestone though).

There is something wrong with this picture. I don't think FORD and others using Michelin's instead of Ecopias came up with that conclusion. They would have jumped at saving $100+ per set of tires. Everything I've read said Fuel Savers are the best for MPG's.

 

Paul

[MaxHeadroom]

There is something wrong with this picture. I don't think FORD and others using Michelin's instead of Ecopias came up with that conclusion. They would have jumped at saving $100+ per set of tires. Everything I've read said Fuel Savers are the best for MPG's.

 

Paul

Ford's negotiated wholesale OEM purchase price for Michelins was probably VERY competitive to what Bridgestone was offering.

Consumer prices are vastly different.  Market considerations.

 

I don't know where you've read Michelin is really that much better than Ecopias.  My reference was a TireRack.com test, the only I've been able to find.  Do you have any CREDIBLE test references?  Not just some dude in Maine saying "they real good!!!".  Need actual tests, you know.

My reference says there is barely any difference in LRR between our OEMs and Ecopias.

[ptjones]

Ford's negotiated wholesale OEM purchase price for Michelins was probably VERY competitive to what Bridgestone was offering.

Consumer prices are vastly different.  Market considerations.

 

I don't know where you've read Michelin is really that much better than Ecopias.  My reference was a TireRack.com test, the only I've been able to find.  Do you have any CREDIBLE test references?  Not just some dude in Maine saying "they real good!!!".  Need actual tests, you know.

My reference says there is barely any difference in LRR between our OEMs and Ecopias.

Here's one: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/01/consumer-reports-tests-fuel-saving-tires-michelin-energy/:)

 

Paul

[MaxHeadroom]

Here's one: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/01/consumer-reports-tests-fuel-saving-tires-michelin-energy/ :)

That just says our OEM Michelins beat Cooper tires.     I'm looking for anything to corroborate TireRack.com results where the OEM Michelins essentially tied the Ecopia.

[fbov]

Just took a look at Tire Rack... It's a $5/tire price difference, Ecopia EP422 vs. OEM replacement after a $70 Michelin rebate. Numerical ratings are similar to a smidgen better for Michelin, but the reviews tell a story of real difference in customer satisfaction, given both have poor snow traction. I'm very bothered one guy's holed three sidewalls?

 

Were I to change tires, it would be for perfomance reasons, like winter performance becoming important (as it is with my wife's Sonata Hybrid... OEM Kumho TA31's are horrible tires in snow). 

 

HAve fun,

Frank

[plus 3 golfer]

Bridgestone also offers the $70 rebate on a set of four.  The issue is timing your tire purchase to the active rebate.

 

The Michelin rebate was not on when I bought the Ecopias. Since my tire noise was so bad on my return 2000 mile trip and since I was leaving again on a long trip in a week, I "had" to get new tires.  So, with the Ecopia $70 rebate I actually saved about $170 (includes sales tax savings) buying the Ecopias over the Energy Saver at full price.    

[Louder North]

Just took a look at Tire Rack... It's a $5/tire price difference, Ecopia EP422 vs. OEM replacement after a $70 Michelin rebate. Numerical ratings are similar to a smidgen better for Michelin, but the reviews tell a story of real difference in customer satisfaction, given both have poor snow traction. I'm very bothered one guy's holed three sidewalls?

 

Were I to change tires, it would be for perfomance reasons, like winter performance becoming important (as it is with my wife's Sonata Hybrid... OEM Kumho TA31's are horrible tires in snow). 

 

HAve fun,

Frank

 

 

Were those Kumho tires winter tires Frank? I have the Kumho KW31's and they are just fine in the snow. 

 

Edited March 30, 2017 by Louder North

[fbov]

Nope, they're OEM's, and no better than our OEMs in snow. That's why Porter has a second set of wheels...

Frank

[ptjones]

Frank, your not doing Fuelly anymore? Curious how the Grill Covers are doing. :headscratch: 

 

Paul 

[kaptnk228]

I do not have any problems with efficiency, just the replacement price.  2013 cmax sel 56227 miles and still could get a bit more miles.  Changed over to Continental Purecontact on 11 Sept 2017.  No noticeable loss in mpg's.  Driven about 400 miles on new Purecontact tires, noticed that we do not feel most of the road joints like before.  Handling is great.  Feels like you have tiger paws on each wheel.  Tires rated for 70 k miles.  Price was important along with LRR and performance.  $550 from walmart plus $40 to balance and -$70 visa card as we bought them in August 2017 when rebate was on.  Consumers Report say both tires very similar.  Still have a bit of noise at the back but less now with new tires.   :)  :)  :wub2:​ 

[kyledamron1]

I'm running Goodyear Assurance FuelMax. They're alright, I preferred the Firestones on my Focus. I forgot to ask the dealership for them when I traded in the car; they only had 10,000 miles on them :(

[obob]

I'm running Goodyear Assurance FuelMax. They're alright, I preferred the Firestones on my Focus. I forgot to ask the dealership for them when I traded in the car; they only had 10,000 miles on them :(

How do the FuelMax compare with the Michelin Energy Savers ?  I am somewhat interested in the FuelMax because Goodyear is an American company.