what TYPE of tire is the most fuel efficient?

[blackjackel]

well from my study into tires, I've seen that there are different TYPES of tires...

Touring

Highway

Sports

Which would be the most fuel efficient of these? nobody seems to say :/

[Shawn D.]

Those "types" are marketing descriptions, not engineering descriptions.

Generally, though, the more sporty the tire (i.e. lower profile and higher speed rating), the heavier it will be. However, the stiffer sidewalls would be better for rolling resistance. On the other hand, the tread compounds are softer for better traction, so the life will be shorter.

[vtec-e]

Originally Posted by Shawn D.

On the other hand, the tread compounds are softer for better traction, so the life will be shorter.

But at sidewall pressures we'll still be winning!

ollie

[elhigh]

The round ones!

[Grasshopper]

elhigh,

You're on to something there! The rounder the better, so get that air pressure up to at least sidewall rating. This simple step has made my old tires into super crazy rollers.

[MechEngVT]

Originally Posted by blackjackel

well from my study into tires, I've seen that there are different TYPES of tires...

Touring

Highway

Sports

Which would be the most fuel efficient of these? nobody seems to say :/

The Highway tires. It's a marketing description and different models/manufacturers will have different results (YMMV) but generally "highway" tires will tend to have a ribbed tread design with circumferential grooves being more predominant than any axial grooves. This helps them roll in a straight line with much less noise/resistance but hurts cornering ability.

Touring tires would be a good mix as they try to be more of an all-around tire for vehicles that do turn and would probably have better wet traction than a highway tire without a significant increase in rolling resistance.

Sports tires sacrifice everything for traction. They'll be heavier to support high side-loads, softer for better traction all around, and the tread blocks will be shorter to prevent squirm (raise the confidence near the traction limit) but will therefore reduce wet handling and tread life. Probably the highest rolling resistance tires you can find.

[Lazarus]

Originally Posted by blackjackel

well from my study into tires, I've seen that there are different TYPES of tires...

Touring

Highway

Sports

Which would be the most fuel efficient of these? nobody seems to say :/

Find the type with the lowest rolling resistance. Here's one thread on it. Do a search for green seal. There the folks that put out a report on tires and rolling resistance.

[joesgot4]

i put new michellin "x" radials on my 2003 dodge caravan and got 34 mpgs,driving 60mph, which is about 3-4mpg's better than i ever got

[justpassntime]

Bicycle tires of course...LOL

There are low rolling resistance tires coming out, I think Michelin is making them.

[an0nymous]

I'm a newbie and this my first post. Just bought a 1998 metro and got to looking around on the internet...
So apologies in advance for the stupidity:
Anybody ever run the 4 doughnut spares.. rated 60 psi, narrow profile... seems like that could be a winner?