Michelin Energy Saver vs Michelin Crossclimate+ or Bridgestone Turanza Quiettrack

23136 Views 30 Replies 17 Participants Last post by AXMacD, 5 d ago

stevet

Discussion Starter · May 22, 2020

Ok folks, I've managed to pull 70K from my 2017 HAH Touring with the factory tires. Clearly I drive conservatively and between city & highway driving I average 45mpg tank after tank.

I don't hate the Energy Savers (and have had no problems with them) but I really want to replace them with something a little more reassuring for the few times we get winter weather here in Atlanta. Obviously that is sporadic and infrequent, but I do travel to the mountains in the winter sometimes and I want to feel the safest I can when I have to drive in it.

I'm considering the Michelin Crossclimate+ (50K), or the Bridgestone Turanza Quiettrack (80K). Both the Quiettrack & Crossclimate get great ratings, far better than the Energy Saver, but what I'm concerned about is the hit I may take to my fuel economy.

Can anyone provide feedback on what differences you experienced if you put non low-rolling tires on your hybrid, and if so, how much? And if you have a tire recommendation that I didn't mention, by all means, please throw it out there. Thanks!

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=CrossClimate%2B&partnum=25VR7CCPXL&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Honda&autoYear=2017&autoModel=Accord%20Hybrid&autoModClar=Touring

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Turanza+QuietTrack&partnum=25VR7TQT&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Honda&autoYear=2017&autoModel=Accord%20Hybrid&autoModClar=Touring

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BenzAccord

· #2 · May 22, 2020 (Edited)

stevet said:
Can anyone provide feedback on what differences you experienced if you put non low-rolling tires on your hybrid, and if so, how much? And if you have a tire recommendation that I didn't mention, by all means, please throw it out there. Thanks!

I have a 9th gen with a V6. With the original Goodyear assurance fuel max tires, I managed to get 41 mpg on a 150 mile trip that was mostly highway. (I made every effort to drive efficiently to see what mpg I could get on that drive) I did not like the dry or wet traction of those tires. I did like the gas mileage. To me, safety comes first, so I replaced them with Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Ultra High Performance All Season Tires. Not only are these tires not low-rolling resistance, every comparison test I’ve read shows they consistently rate worst in the fuel mileage category.

with that said, I probably get 2-3 MPG less than I did on average with the OEM’s. To me, better traction and stopping distances in both dry and especially wet conditions are a fair trade off for the extra $50-75 a year I now spend on gas.

Reactions: 3

Severin

· #3 · May 22, 2020

I replaced the stock tires with Michelin Premier A/S. Handling is heads and tails better; no squealing around sharp turns and much better in rain and snow.
That said, I did take a significant hit to the tune of 4 MPG or more. I keep complete Fuelly records and have driven the same commute for 7 years, so there's no disputing it. However, I feel much safer with the handling (even rain was scary on the OEM tires as they wore) and can live with the hit.

I'll try to post my Fuelly link tomorrow.

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hondaOH

· #4 · May 22, 2020

I've used Goodyear Assurance Comfortred Touring on my other vehicles including two Accords and didn't notice a drop in MPG. I plan on replacing '17 HAH OEMs soon and anticipate a 1-2 mpg drop. The Comfortreds are really quiet and absorb a lot of the road issues, definitely not a racer tire but does improve ride and handling. My only issue is every Honda I've put them on, I had to get them balanced at the dealership. Seems like the independents work off a different spec or just my luck with shoddy work.

Reactions: 1

Severin

· #5 · May 22, 2020

You only want to use a Hunter Roadforce balancer for balancing; it applies road-force pressure to the tire while balancing as it's name infers.

I went from a yearly average MPG of 48.5 on the OEM tires to 45.4 on the new Michelin Premier A/S.

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BobL

· #6 · Oct 21, 2020

Have a 2020 Accord Hybrid. It came with the Michelin Energy Savers. The Energy Savers would be great in Key West. Since I live in NH, I wanted to get a better all season tire with better winter performance. I installed the Michelin CrossClimate 2. They ride well and are quiet but and mileage instantly went from 50 to 42. Basically, I lost all the advantages of the hybrid. I contacted Michelin and they were no help. I'm not sure what the expectation should have been but I'm getting rid of the CrossClimates. The tire dealer said they would credit me and I could order something else. Going with the Quiet Tracks. Hopefully, I won't have the same mileage loss.

Ziyang

· #7 · Oct 21, 2020

I’m running Continental PureContact LS, with aftermarket 18” wheels. Tire size is 235/45/R18.

You can find my previous posts on these tires. Fuel economy loss is for sure, but these tires are $40 /ea cheaper. For that price I can accept it.

Now that I’ve put4K miles on them, I noticed fuel economy has improved from 40mpg to mid 40s.

They are definitely great in handling and wet traction. I live in CT, so I expect they’ll be fine in the first winter.

stevet

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 27, 2020 (Edited)

BobL said:
Have a 2020 Accord Hybrid. It came with the Michelin Energy Savers. The Energy Savers would be great in Key West. Since I live in NH, I wanted to get a better all season tire with better winter performance. I installed the Michelin CrossClimate 2. They ride well and are quiet but and mileage instantly went from 50 to 42. Basically, I lost all the advantages of the hybrid. I contacted Michelin and they were no help. I'm not sure what the expectation should have been but I'm getting rid of the CrossClimates. The tire dealer said they would credit me and I could order something else. Going with the Quiet Tracks. Hopefully, I won't have the same mileage loss.

Sorry I'm late to get back on here to reply to your comment. I'd be interested to hear what you're getting from the Quiettracks. I ended up going with the Bridgestone myself and am very happy with the ride in all aspects. BUT after putting them on I initially struggled to get out of the 30's. I was mortified and regretful. Suddenly after almost five months on the tires my fuel economy went back to where it was before. My car's electronics have always had a mind of its own - my rain sensing wipers didn't sense rain until earlier this year. My radio head unit has been replaced 3 times, waiting on a fourth. My fuel economy disappears from the upper display and then comes back later, etc. I love my car but the technology in this model is challenged, IMHO.

BobL

· #9 · Nov 27, 2020

stevet said:
Sorry I'm late to get back on here to reply to your comment. I'd be interested to hear what you're getting from the Quiettracks. I ended up going with the Bridgestone myself and am very happy with the ride in all aspects. BUT after putting them on I initially struggled to get out of the 30's. I was mortified and regretful. Suddenly after almost five months on the tires my fuel economy went back to where it was before. My car's electronics have always had a mind of its own - my rain sensing wipers didn't sense rain until earlier this year. My radio head unit has been replaced 3 times, waiting on a fourth. My fuel economy disappears from the upper display and then comes back later, etc. I love my car but the technology in this model is challenged, IMHO.

Well, I've had the Quiettracks on for about 3.k miles. I'm averaging about 42-43. So, it's a bit better than the Michelins but not much. I also increased the tire pressure up to 37-38 which might be helping. With the Michelins, I was down around 40mpg. Frankly, I'm not really thrilled with the car. Living in the White Mountains of Northern NH, the snow will be coming shortly. I probably won't be driving the car as much. My wife has a 2017 Highlander Hybrid. We will use that more. The Accord is a good car but not all that much fun to drive. No electronics issues to date.

stevet

Discussion Starter · #10 · Nov 27, 2020

BobL said:
Well, I've had the Quiettracks on for about 3.k miles. I'm averaging about 42-43. So, it's a bit better than the Michelins but not much. I also increased the tire pressure up to 37-38 which might be helping. With the Michelins, I was down around 40mpg. Frankly, I'm not really thrilled with the car. Living in the White Mountains of Northern NH, the snow will be coming shortly. I probably won't be driving the car as much. My wife has a 2017 Highlander Hybrid. We will use that more. The Accord is a good car but not all that much fun to drive. No electronics issues to date.

I think the 9th generation had some electronic bugs that may not exist in the 10th gen. My service advisor says their chat boards are lit up with them when they look into tech issues. Regardless, I like the car. I'm glad I chose the QuietTracks.

jreuschl

· #11 · Jan 5, 2021

BobL said:
Have a 2020 Accord Hybrid. It came with the Michelin Energy Savers. The Energy Savers would be great in Key West. Since I live in NH, I wanted to get a better all season tire with better winter performance. I installed the Michelin CrossClimate 2. They ride well and are quiet but and mileage instantly went from 50 to 42. Basically, I lost all the advantages of the hybrid. I contacted Michelin and they were no help. I'm not sure what the expectation should have been but I'm getting rid of the CrossClimates. The tire dealer said they would credit me and I could order something else. Going with the Quiet Tracks. Hopefully, I won't have the same mileage loss.

I have CrossClimate 2s on my 16 and there is a noticeable mileage drop I see also.

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Severin

· #12 · Feb 12, 2021

I had put on Michelin Premier A/S on my '17 HAH and lost about 3MPG overall; much better handling.
Oddly enough, they don't produce 225-50R17 anymore in this type; going with the newer Continental TrueContact next I think.

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stevet

Discussion Starter · #13 · Feb 12, 2021

Severin said:
I had put on Michelin Premier A/S on my '17 HAH and lost about 3MPG overall; much better handling.
Oddly enough, they don't produce 225-50R17 anymore in this type; going with the newer Continental TrueContact next I think.

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I ended up going with the QuietTracks and I've been very happy with them. Handling is good (although only have driven in rain, albeit heavy at times) and the ride is nice & quiet. For some reason I saw a dip in fuel economy for the first few months (down into the upper 30's) but things went back to normal after that. I can't explain the temporary loss as my driving was unchanged, but glad to be back averaging low 40's on a tank-by-tank basis, with many trips providing 48-50's, depending on the standard variables.

Severin

· #14 · Feb 12, 2021

That's normal to drop mileage and get some back on brand new tires; they need to be wear in a bit.

Reactions: 1

I800C0LLECT

· #15 · Feb 13, 2021

The cross climate+ is what I purchased since I'm in Germany. It does better in the cold and I can confirm this is probably the next best thing to winter tires. It does exceptionally in the rain too.

But... It does come with tire noise. It's a slight drone at higher speeds but doesn't bother me. I have a V6 coupe. I know your car has better noise insulation than mine so maybe you won't notice.

I will be purchasing these for my wife's tiguan when it's time to replace hers. I'll take good traction over noise any day. This really is the best year round tire you can buy.

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slimm1469

· #16 · Feb 13, 2021

Do a search. There's more info about tires there than you can read at one sitting.

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Cdog

· #17 · Aug 10, 2021

Tires ! It never occurred to me that it could be the tires. I thought it was a kind of PTSD after getting caught in the 2018 macro burst on I-84 near Scotchtown, NY.
The car has the original OEM Michelin Energy Saver X's. After reading comments it seems like there's pretty much a consensus that these tires are not very good.
My 2017 HAH usually handles pretty well on dry pavement but it's very nervous making in higher winds and colder temps (snow on the ground but not on the road)
After a couple of hours in the wind on I-80 in Wyoming I had to stop and rest. US285 from Taos to US50 in Colorado was a struggle.
So . . . I'm strongly inclined to replace the tires.
Does anybody have wind/cold experience that could offer some feedback ?
Or does this particular car just have more windage ? Maybe I just never noticed it before (?)
I have gone down the online rabbit hole for tires and am still scratchin' my head.

sequoiasoon

· #18 · Aug 13, 2021

Most all seasons (and performance tires) get hard below like 40 degrees and have less grip. Winter or newer All weather versions will be better. A good alignment and check strut wear. You could also read the threads and consider a better rear anti sway bar if it fits the HAH. Lower profile tires (larger rims) reduce the sidewall flex BUT come with trade off of harsher ride, usually more expensive, more prone to rim damage from potholes etc.

Mine is not hybrid but I noticed a difference going from 16" to 17" on overall stability. I have not had issue in winds, I also run true winter tires for that part of the year for overall grip and safety. This will be my first year on an "All Weather" in a long time. My Accord came with 16" Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady. I found them noisier than the snows I used for winter from my Sonata last year and definitely noisier than the new 17" Pirelli P7 plus 2 I have on it now. I don't dislike the Goodyears enough (yet) to get rid of them as they have a lot of tread and will try this winter. If I'm not happy they will get replaced with new real winter tires.

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Cdog

· #19 · Aug 13, 2021

Interesting. I've done a lot with sway bars on other cars but have an aversion to fooling with the suspension on Hondas. This is my 5th or 6th Honda and they've all felt dialed in just right. This includes an Integra GSR and an S2000. I see people doing all kinds of mods but I respect the Honda engineers. One thing many people don't notice is how well the stock Hondas handle if you just push them a little.
I haven't previously had wind issues with fwd cars - that's one advantage they have. I had put the wind issue down to just plain strong winds (after that macroburst I think I'm a little touchy) but now I'm thinking improving the tires would be the first, easiest step.

sequoiasoon

· #20 · Aug 15, 2021

Read some of the reviews and the video's/tests on TireRack. Some tires have softer sidewalls and flex more. My friend has an older Fit Sport MT. His first replacement tires were Conti DWS-06 and he loved them in rain and dry, they were decent in snow BUT he said they just don't give the handling/stability confidence he was used to as the sidewalls flexed a lot. They gave a lack of initial turn response etc. He never lost grip but just not as confident. He replaced with a different performance all season and then got real snows for winter instead of trying to cover all. He enjoyed summer and back roads more, felt much more confident. Then for winter much better cold/wet/snow performance and knew he couldn't push too hard in turns in dry. Tradeoffs but much happier for all the seasons.

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