HAs anyone heard anything about these types of tires? I wonder if its really the case when it comes to saving fuel.
http://greenseal.org/resources/reports/CGR...gresistance.pdf
Green Seal has released another of their well-researched "Choose Green" reports, this time covering "Low Rolling Resistance Tires". The reports presents previously unpublished data on leading tires that have low rolling resistance. What is rolling resistance exactly?
It is a measurement of how easily the tire rolls down the road ââ¬â minimizing the energy wasted as heat between the tire and the road, within the tire sidewall itself, and between the tire and the rim.
Green Seal found that rolling resistance differences of 20 to 30% are not uncommon among tires of an otherwise similar size, type, and level of performance. This means an individual vehicle could save up to 6% of its gasoline use if it were fitted with very efficient tires, paying for the additional cost in about one year. In words, a typical compact car such as a Ford Focus can improve its mileage from 30 mpg to 32 mpg simply by using lower rolling resistance tires. For a car averaging 15,000 miles per year the fuel savings is about $50 (at $1.50 per gallon).
Some of the tires which received top recommendations were: Bridgestone B381, Nokian NRT2 and Sumitomo HTR 200.
I wonder... because as I recall low rolling resistance tires usually get panned as anything other than "commuter" tires and are hopeless in the snow :huh:
NefCanuck
Mostly every tire manufacture is doing this and has been doing this for a while inbehind everyones backs. From what I can remember from my training(Custom Wheels/Tires Specialist) it's to do with the componds. Just like NefCanuck said, they will most likely suck in winter. Harder compound. Snow tires are really soft compound and should only be put on when the temp is a constant 5 degreas or below for best tire life. Anyways thats my $0.02, just letting you know what I know.
Just got the sumitomo HTR 200's in the spring. Recommend them highly, love them (whole set cost me under $200 brand spankin new ($48 a piece on tirerack). After shipping them to the states and getting them installed and balances at Mike's 24 hour tire in Buffalo, + shipping + exchange rate + duty ;) , they still cost sub $340.
They are way better than my old tiger paws and Goodyear eagles, they look better too, I also don't mind they they suck in the snow because i slap on my winter set in the cold weather.
Narrower tires and keep them inflated, a car like a Focus doesn't "need" 205+ width, it's purely cosmetic 99% of the time. It's all academic anyway since the Focus sips gas and for the mentioned $50/year saving what's the point?
Harder compound does tend to mean longer life though right?
Less waste tires having to be dealt with is a good thing (Unless we want another tire fire in the Hamilton area :P)
NefCanuck
NefCanuck,Jul 17 2008, 09:54 AM Wrote:Harder compound does tend to mean longer life though right?
Less waste tires having to be dealt with is a good thing (Unless we want another tire fire in the Hamilton area :P)
NefCanuck
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Easy there, that was Hagersville. Thats not Hamilton, or area. Hamilton just has large plastic fires :unsure:
For the cost of the tires, you can tune for 87 "fuel efficiency" with an XCal2 or 3 and save 10% more gas, easily. Keep your tires inflated to spec, drive with a lighter foot and smoothly and you'll be well above the rated fuel economy for your vehicle.
Guys are tuning their Escapes (3.0L Duratecs and the 4-cyls) over at escape-central.com and getting well above 10% better fuel economy with more response. Altered lockup schedules, adjusted shift pressures and shift timing, adjusted shift points under load etc. It all makes a difference.
Harder and narrower tires means worse handling and longer braking distances.
It's the same idiotic thinking some of these "hypermilers" get about coasting downhill with the engine off and drafting on the tailgates of tractor trailers.
Saving money is great until your little Focus is scrap metal or worse; you're a statistic.
If you keep your Focus maintained well and you adjust your driving habits to be a little less Fast and Furious, your Focus will deliver great gas mileage. In my opinion the extra couple of MPGs isn't worth the tradeoff in safety.
habmann,Jul 17 2008, 10:19 AM Wrote:NefCanuck,Jul 17 2008, 09:54 AM Wrote:Harder compound does tend to mean longer life though right?
Less waste tires having to be dealt with is a good thing (Unless we want another tire fire in the Hamilton area :P)
NefCanuck
[right][snapback]268886[/snapback][/right]
Easy there, that was Hagersville. Thats not Hamilton, or area. Hamilton just has large plastic fires :unsure:
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Apologies, I can never keep my environmental disasters straight :P
NefCanuck
OAC_Sparky,Jul 17 2008, 10:43 AM Wrote:Harder and narrower tires means worse handling and longer braking distances.
It's the same idiotic thinking some of these "hypermilers" get about coasting downhill with the engine off and drafting on the tailgates of tractor trailers.
Saving money is great until your little Focus is scrap metal or worse; you're a statistic.
If you keep your Focus maintained well and you adjust your driving habits to be a little less Fast and Furious, your Focus will deliver great gas mileage. In my opinion the extra couple of MPGs isn't worth the tradeoff in safety.
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If you consider my tires them, the sumitomo ones, I haven't noticed any decrease whatsoever in handling or braking performance. They actually handle way better than the goodyear eagles, my car felt like a sack of potatoes before, now it is much nimbler :lol: .
From my experience with the new tires they brake just as hard, and if there is any decrease in performance at all it is negligible, other factors will be more important, such as how much weight you have in your car. And hell they were cheap :lol: .
PS. you know any electrical people hiring? lol
crazikev,Jul 18 2008, 12:50 AM Wrote:PS. you know any electrical people hiring? [right][snapback]268942[/snapback][/right]
Not really at the moment. You're kinda missing the window for big contractors like State and Alberici doing shutdown construction work, and the housing side is kind of slow. What branch electrical are you?
OAC_Sparky,Jul 18 2008, 10:56 AM Wrote:crazikev,Jul 18 2008, 12:50 AM Wrote:PS. you know any electrical people hiring? [right][snapback]268942[/snapback][/right]
Not really at the moment. You're kinda missing the window for big contractors like State and Alberici doing shutdown construction work, and the housing side is kind of slow. What branch electrical are you?
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Well, i just graduated the Electrical Engineering Technician program at college and i'm still searching for a job so.. :unsure: , ill take almost anything! lol
2001 ZTS,Jul 17 2008, 08:46 AM Wrote:Narrower tires and keep them inflated, a car like a Focus doesn't "need" 205+ width, it's purely cosmetic 99% of the time. It's all academic anyway since the Focus sips gas and for the mentioned $50/year saving what's the point?
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BINGO.
I went with narrow tires last year when I replaced the stockers.
Got a whole 120k out of the Goodyears.
(let's just say they were like driving on hockey pucks when I had them replaced :lol:
ANTHONYD,Jul 19 2008, 05:12 PM Wrote:2001 ZTS,Jul 17 2008, 08:46 AM Wrote:Narrower tires and keep them inflated, a car like a Focus doesn't "need" 205+ width, it's purely cosmetic 99% of the time. It's all academic anyway since the Focus sips gas and for the mentioned $50/year saving what's the point?
[right][snapback]268884[/snapback][/right]
BINGO.
I went with narrow tires last year when I replaced the stockers.
Got a whole 120k out of the Goodyears.
(let's just say they were like driving on hockey pucks when I had them replaced :lol:
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Geez Anthony, for someone as careful with your car's cleanliness I'm really surprised you'd be driving around on tires that were balder than
I am :P
NefCanuck