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Originally Posted by CapriRacer
Second, does your vehicle NEED a 235/75R15 XL? I ask that because tire shops are not likely to apply a tire with a lower load index. Put a different way, what is your vehicle - year, make, model?
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1996 Ford F-150 4.9L (Straight Six) with many modifications ...
The current tires are 108T, but going down to 106 would represent the loss of 89 pounds of capacity per tire. I'd much rather go the other way though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CapriRacer
Third, I hope you realize that wheels are going to be expensive and you are not likely to recoup the cost. So are you willing to spend the money in spite of knowing you won't recover the cost in fuel economy?
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Oh yes. If I can improve my fuel economy via this experiment, it will entirely worth it in terms of entertainment value.
The major benefit with having winter tires on other wheels is that swapping is easy. RWD trucks typically have really lousy traction on slippery surfaces, so I'm even considering studded winter tires.
I also have a 2007 Passat that will have non-studded winter tires when there not snow out here in western Massachusetts. Just this past winter (my first here) we set a record with over 110", so I'm kind of spooked about it right now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CapriRacer
And lastly, the actual amount of improvement in fuel economy you will receive is very much dependent on your actual driving conditions. For example, someone doing stop and go driving is not going to experience much of an improvement in FE compared to someone who has a long commute on an Interstate highway.
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Exactly. I have a specific driving test / goal in mind, which involves a big stretch of cross country driving.