Best LRR tire available now?

[hypermiler01]

Most of the lists I have seen are a few years out of date now.

From Nokian's website this year.
Our tire with the least rolling resistance is the Hakkapeliitta R, a true winter tire that out rolls many competitors' all season "fuel efficient" tires.
...

Ultra-Low Rolling Resistance

The new Hakkapeliitta R has the lowest rolling resistance of any tire in Nokian Tyres product line.
...


That is really suprising to me, because I expected a summer tire with smooth tread to be the best.

But this is also interesting.

I replaced my old tires with new Low Rolling Resistance tires and my mileage got worse. What happened?

Worn out tires already have low rolling resistance. They often have less overall weight and tread grip because the tread is worn down. Although unusual, it is possible that the addition new of tires could lower gas mileage, however you can be assured that you are now also driving with safer tires that have adequate grip.

Right now, I have Toyo 800 Ultra with less than 1/8" of tread, and they coast great. They are already a good LRR when new, and when nearly bald, they are super.

So I guess the best LRR tire is a worn LRR tire. And you can save a lot of money buying them. Just don't use them in snow or heavy rain.

[Ryland]

At no point does Nokian say that their tires are the best over all, they say

The new Hakkapeliitta R has the lowest rolling resistance of any tire in Nokian Tyres product line.

that is, they are comparing them to other Nokian tires... in that product line... that product line being snow tires.
They also claim that they are even better then many "fuel saving" all season tires... very vague! as they never define fuel saving tire.

They never out right say that their tires are the best, nor do they quantify their claims in a way that you can then compare, they don't even pick out a "fuel saving tire" that their tires are better then.

[CigaR007]

Michelin Harmony seems to be a good choice for LRR tires.

[hypermiler01]

Originally Posted by Ryland

they are comparing them to other Nokian tires... in that product line... that product line being snow tires.

No, that is also comparing them to all of their other tires including the Nokian eNTYRE. I emailed and they said it was because of the higher silica content in the winter tires. So it also wears out much faster than the eNTYRE. In the Green Seal test a few years ago, Nokian's winter tire was one of the highest performers. So was Michelin's winter tire, and several truck tires.

Originally Posted by CigaR007

Michelin Harmony seems to be a good choice for LRR tires.

I emailed Michelin about a year ago, and they said Harmony was good but Hydro Edge was better. And now it looks like Energy Saver A/S is their best.

The Energy Saver A/S is Michelin North America’s most fuel-efficient All-Season Passenger car tire developed for the drivers of hybrid and fuel-efficient passenger cars that want to exploit their vehicle’s fuel economy without abandoning dry, wet and wintertime traction. Representing the forefront of Michelin Green X technology, Energy Saver A/S tires can enhance vehicle operating efficiency and environmental impact by reducing fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions while delivering year-round traction, even in light snow.

Expanding on the technologies of the Michelin Energy Saver summer tires introduced in Europe during 2007, the Energy Saver A/S All-Season Passenger car tire introduced in North America during 2009 offers exceptionally low rolling resistance at or below the levels offered by its European summer tire counterpart.

The Energy Saver A/S features Michelin’s EnergySaver Construction combined with a unique silica-based tread rubber that helps improve engine fuel efficiency by keeping the tire cooler. This compound is molded into a symmetric design that features siped, independent tread blocks to combine predictable handling, no compromise stopping performance and all-season traction without trading fuel efficiency. Circumferential and lateral grooves direct water through the tread design to help resist hydroplaning and enhance wet traction.

Michelin Comfort Control Technology uses computer-optimized design and precision manufacturing to reduce vibrations and road noise to keep the vehicle quiet. The tire’s internal structure includes twin steel belts reinforced by spirally wrapped polyamide on top of a polyester cord carcass to combine strength, efficiency and comfort.

It looks like neither company is comparing to other companies' tires.

From the Green Seal report (2003):

Bridgestone B381 185/70R14 0.0062
Michelin Arctic AlpineXL 235/75R15 0.0081
Continental ContiTouring Contact CH95 205/55R16 0.0083
Nokian NRT2 185/70R14 0.0085
Dunlop Axiom Plus WS 235/75R15 0.0088
Michelin Pilot Alpine 205/55R16 0.0090
Michelin EnergyMXV4 Plus 205/55R16 0.0090
BF Goodrich Long Trail T/A 245/75R16 0.0092
Sumitomo HTR 200 185/70R14 0.0092
Dunlop Graspic DS-1 185/70R14 0.0092
Michelin XPS Rib LT245/75R16 0.0101
Dunlop SP Winter Sport M2 205/55R16 0.0102
Dunlop SP40 A/S 185/70R14 0.0103
Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 185/70R14 0.0103
Michelin LTX M/S 245/75R16 0.0103
Bridgestone Dueler A/T D693 245/75R16 0.0103
Goodyear VIVA 2 185/70R14 0.0104

[euromodder]

In Europe, the Michelin Energy Saver and Goodyear Efficientgrip were tested to have the lowest rolling resistance of a group of test tyres.

Surprisingly, the Michelin Alpin A4 winter tyres roll just about as well as the Energy Saver - I get the same coasting distances out on the road.

[PaleMelanesian]

Tirerack: When Round and Black Becomes Lean and Green

[hypermiler01]

Unfortunately, Michelin Energy Saver A/S is only available for 15" and bigger wheels.

Also unfortunately, Tire Rack doesn't sell or compare Nokian tires.

Of the best LRR tires, only Bridgestone Ecopia EP100 is available in 175/65R14. Bridgestone B381, which won the 2003 comparison, and Nokian eNTYRE are available in 185/65R14. So I may be using one of those on my Geo.

[RobertSmalls]

Though Nokian's Hakkapeliitta R snow tires are Nokian's lowest rolling resistance, they are decidedly not the lowest RR tires on the market.

I believe that crown still belongs to the OE tire on the first-gen Insight, the Potenza RE92 in P165/65R14. Other sizes of the same tire are a different formulation.

I have yet to hear any substantive reports of an Insight owner getting better mileage or better coastdown tests with any other tire, so it's still the champion. Too bad it's only available in one size, and it's unavailable in Europe.

[slowmover]

MICHELIN LTX A/S, of course. (Oh, you don't drive a 7,000-lb truck?).

[hypermiler01]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

I have yet to hear any substantive reports of an Insight owner getting better mileage or better coastdown tests with any other tire, so it's still the champion. Too bad it's only available in one size, and it's unavailable in Europe.

The RE92 is the only tire that Tire Rack sells in that size, and they do not classify it as an LRR tire. The Michelin Energy Saver A/S isn't even made in 14". So is it really the best, or is it just the only one that fits?

165/65R14 would be a good fit for my Geo, but it's only 3% overdrive. I want between 5% and 10% overdrive. 175/65R14 is what I am planning, which is the same as the early Prius. 175/65R15 is what the new Insight uses, and that would be 10% overdrive for the Geo.

Larger wheels have better LRR, but they also weigh more.