[Ultra-Orange]

So. tires on my Metro are pretty bad, fronts are ok but the rears are ready to come apart. started researching tires. found a cheap set of 12"ers for $46@.

Eventually my research crossed LRR tires. Looking for every edge I can find I bit the hook. A bit of research came across a blog declaring Michelin Energy Savers as the king of LRR tires with a 9% increase in milage for the low low price of $153 per tire for the smallest available, a 195/65-15, Got me onto the path of thinking. How long before these tires actually pay off?

After doing some math, to be fair, I found a set of cheap 195/65-15s for $76@ so that "size" would not be an issue.

these are my findings

Control Tire LRR Tire
$ 76 $156 each
$304 $612 per set
$308 Differance

Now I have to make certain assumptions at this point, since the value off the LRR is given as a % of overall mileage the starting mileage is moot. I use 40mpg as base. I also assume 10,000 miles per year driven. I seem to recall that as "average" from somewhere. Also I ended up using $3.75 per gallon. Gasoline prices fluctuate 1) over time 2) geographically. so 40 MPG plus 9% mileage gives the vehicle with LRR tires 43.6 MPG.

Miles per year MPG Fuel fuel cost per year
10.000 / 40 * 3.75 $940 Control tires
10.000 / 43.6 * 3.75 $860.09 LRR tires
$ 79.91 Savings per year
Differance in cost, Savings per year
$308 / $79.91 3.85 years to break even
37,000 Miles to break even

To me. this means you should buy LRR tires IF you have plenty of disposable income AND you're ecomodding to A) cut the drain of resources on the planet or 2) are simply trying to gain the best fuel mileage possible. but if you are looking to cut personal costs, and don't plan on owning your car for near 4 years, go with normal tires.

Now. I am just an addle minded ex-painter stroke victim, and to be fair. painters are painters, and not accountants, for a reason. so. My math may be off. or, my equations for that matter. If so. please shed some light and feel free to correct my sorry excuse for math. my above math is by no means all inclusive and I'm aware different tires have different rolling resistances/costs etc. I just posted what I found after a short period researching on the internet (Google FTW!).