1036 pounds max load per tire on a 2100 pound car with a 850 load capacity leaves a margin of over 1100 pounds (easily twice the load capacity and over 400 pounds more than the original tires).
My point was after 15k miles on these tires there was no difference in tread depth with 44 PSI pressure. I check the pressure monthly.
The ride is more harsh with higher pressures, but I see no change in handling, might even be a little better. I do tend to take corners fairly quickly since I avoid brakes like the plague. Not crazy fast like when I was young but sometimes fast enough for the wife to be grabbing something to hold on to
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Last 5 tanks of gas averaged 52 MPG in rotten weather here. That included one tank at 46 MPG with average speeds close to 70 MPH.
These are supposed to be 80k mile tires. Tread wear difference between front and rear is about .035 after 15k miles. Tires replaced the ORIGINAL Bridgestones that were made in 3-93 (that's right not a misprint) 10k miles after car was rebuilt at 27,492 miles (original) right at 2 years ago in March.
From comparing the difference in tread wear (.035) to the tread left .215 and .250 it looks like they should easily make it to 80k, maybe even 100k.
I paid less than $46 per tire at Costco with an additional $10 for lifetime rotate, balance, and hazard warranty. When first replaced my mileage dropped significantly, but it seems to be coming back up now. Used to average close to 60, in the summer, probably get about 57 or so this summer. Ride and noise are so much better the trade off is worth it.
My hypermiling is not as intense as it was when gas was at $4 a gallon here in the summer of 08. One tank then was 68 MPG all freeway at 64 MPH 150 feet behind a big rig staying in the right lane (on a 3 lane interstate) for 300 miles.
Odometer is off 1% due to larger diameter. It was off -1% with the worn out original tires, actually not worn out but sidewalls cracking bad enough to not want to risk driving them any more.
regards
Mech