View Single Post
Old 12-12-2016, 02:52 PM   #8 (permalink)
j12piprius
Liberty Lover
 
j12piprius's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: central california
Posts: 587

pris prius - '12 Toyota plug in prius
90 day: 71.09 mpg (US)
Thanks: 439
Thanked 83 Times in 60 Posts
Michelin Defenders --> 10% reduction in mileage

Quote:
Originally Posted by CapriRacer View Post
LRR is a relative term It means good fuel economy compared to other tires with similar traction and treadwear characteristics. For example, the Michelin Defender has a UTQG rating of 820 AB, where the BS B381 is rated 260 AB, but both are LRR = the Michelin will consume fuel than the BS, but deliver more miles before being worn out.
I got 4x Michelin Defender XT 185/65R14 86T 90k tires at Costco, and am very disappointed with their mileage performance. First of all the Costco manager would only pump them to 29 pounds, along with an extended lecture, because this was the Civic's recommendation, instead of the sidewall pressure of 44 psi. I pumped them to 60 psi at home with a bicycle pump.

Now the car slows down noticeably when I'm coasting and it feels like the brakes are on. My last two 250 mile trips only averaged 52.3 mpg despite going slow, slow, slow, keeping the water temp at 190 degrees, and really trying to get the mileage up higher. My previous three trips averaged 56.8 to 59.5 with a higher mph average and 55 psi on the tires. Thus the Michelins are causing an 8 to 12 percent reduction in the mileage.

Is this normal for these tires, and will they always be this terrible?

Considering these are EXPENSIVE tires, should I have them replaced and return them?
  Reply With Quote