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Old 01-30-2010, 11:27 PM   #5 (permalink)
RH77
Depends on the Day
 
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kansas City Area
Posts: 1,761

Teggy - '98 Acura Integra LS
Sports Cars
90 day: 32.74 mpg (US)

IMA - '10 Honda Insight EX
Team Honda
90 day: 34.76 mpg (US)

Tessie - '06 Acura TSX Base
90 day: 28.2 mpg (US)
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No overinflation recommendations from the manufacturer?

Consumer Reports used to print RR values of tires in their reviews -- I wonder if they still do...

The problem currently, is that it's not a required value to test and print on the tire (if that changes, that would be a huge step in the right direction). There's an independent laboratory in Akron, Ohio that has been used to test tires for the rubber companies in that area. I remember trying to find out more beyond the "Green Seal" report a few years ago, and struck out.

Here's a good thread on the subject.

I usually try to identify OEM tires from fuel efficient vehicles, or specific tires that are marketed as LRR (like the Michelin "Green-X"-rated tires). That's what led me to Michelin MXV4-Plus XSE tires for the Integra. These are solid tires that have held 50 psi (warm weather) with no pressure-related wear and no punctures / rips for ~35K miles (around some serious potholes and lumps). But, they're not cheap and suffer some Winter traction issues requiring a drastic reduction in pressure).

By the way, I disagree with Bridgestone's underestimated effect of a tire's rolling resistance on FE. Vehicle manufacturers know the value and ensure that some vehicles trade handling and comfort for that boost in FE.

It's a big investment, to be used for quite some time -- so I respect and understand the extensive research

RH77
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