Low rolling resistance tires 2018

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

It looks like the Michelin Energy Saver all season is possibly the number one low rolling resistance tire.

We get the "summer edition" in Europe, which is better for RR than the AS was, but even the Energy Saver has since been bettered regarding FE.

I always balance FE with handling, using results of the ADAC.de Reifentest

I used to be a Michelin fan, but have gone over to Dunlop (Sport Bluresponse and WinterResponse 2) and have found them to be as balanced in handling as Michelins and wearing equally well, for a lot less $ / € .


A/S tyres are becoming more popular in the EU, due to the convenience they offer as winter rated tyres are becoming mandatory in more countries, but they're still the worst of 2 worlds.

[oil pan 4]

Some of those tires are still sold in the US.

[Jerry Liebler]

My plug in Prius started life on Bridgestone EP422 s. When it came time to replace them I elected to stick with the same but I found that there are at least 3 different tires that are marked EP422 and only one of them has a sidewall rating of 51PSI, the others are 44PSI. I chose to get the ones made in Mexico that are rated @51PSI. I run them at 60PSI. Eveey little bit helps!

[oil pan 4]

The ecopia 442 is a great tire for electric vehicle range.

[csnyder]

This goes back a LONG time - to about 1978, but I found when I had by Fiat ElectraMobile conversion (128L coupe) half worn fabric radials were the lowest rolling resistance I could get. WAY better than Bias ply or steel belted radials.
High profile (155 80?) 13 tires run at 35 on the front and 40 on the back (batteries in the rear - 8 GC2H 6 volt golf car batteries) worked as well as overinflating.

with a top speed of 50MPH and a maximum range speed of 30MPH aerodynamics were not a priority for me. I did lower the front struts and double up the rear transverse leaf spring to get the nose down where it belonged - - -

[CapriRacer]

Originally Posted by Jerry Liebler

…….. I chose to get the ones made in Mexico that are rated @51PSI. …….

Be careful drawing any conclusions from the max pressure listed on the sidewall. It probably doesn't mean anything of value. (Please note: This applies only to Passenger car tires. Light truck and other types of tires work differently and the max pressure is important for selecting the proper load range.)

[ctgottapee]

You have to be very careful

You must stick only to versions offered as OEM equipment on new vehicles, as the auto makers do pay for the research to lower MPGs.

The tire makers have cleverly used the same labels on other tires that don't get near the same mileage.

[CapriRacer]

Originally Posted by ctgottapee

You have to be very careful

You must stick only to versions offered as OEM equipment on new vehicles, as the auto makers do pay for the research to lower MPGs.

The tire makers have cleverly used the same labels on other tires that don't get near the same mileage.

I think what ctgottapee is trying to say is that the OEM versions have the lowest RR - AND - since each one of those versions is built to the OEM's specs, you shouldn't expect to get the same result from other tires with that same name.

Allow me to add: Once a tire is no longer supplied to the OEM, it usually reverts back to aftermarket specs which means worse RR, but better traction and wear - and it may be difficult to know when that has happened.

[rmay635703]

This discussion makes me believe RR needs to be listed numerically on each tire pulled at its rated weight and inflation pressure.

I thought RR ratings were law

What happen

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

This discussion makes me believe RR needs to be listed numerically on each tire pulled at its rated weight and inflation pressure.

I thought RR ratings were law

What happen

In Europe they are.
That's how I was able to partially decipher what tire goes where in respect to LRR.
Well they give a chart for RR, something to the effect of "average, good, best" with a matching color code.
Not a numeric value but that will get you in the right neighborhood at least and keep you from being totally lost like I was.

Using the European guide I was able to determine that the Yokohama economy tires are excellent tires for the money every which way but RR.
Turns out their all economy tires are only about average RR.
In a gasoline powered vehicle they are the superior tire all around.
But in an electric vehicle it's all about range. I will pay up to $40 more per tire for a tire that just gets the best RR.
5 or 4 more miles of range on a car that only has about 90 miles of range on its best day is a pretty big deal.