Best LRR tires?

[HydroJim]

What do you guys think are the best LRR tires? I'm getting a car that will need new tires and figured I might as well throw a set of low rolling resistance ones on. The biggest factor in my decision will be winter traction. I live in cleveland, so we don't get a lot of snow in volume, but it snows frequently and it's always wet lake effect snow which is very poor for traction.

Right now I'm looking at:

Goodyear Fuel Saver Max $490 installed.
Bridgestone Ecopia $520 installed

If you know of any better ones, let me know. Right now I'm leaning to the Ecopias because they appear to provide the most fuel savings and respectable traction.

Here is what I used to influence my decision:
Tires : Test Results : The Tire Rack

I would like to get the Michelin energy savers, but they don't make them in the size i need.

[toc]

The Ecopia's will score better over the Good Year tyres in fuel economy.

[oil pan 4]

Have you considerd going taller than your factory size?

[99LeCouch]

I have the Fuel Maxes OEM on my Cruze. They're good in the dry, not sparkling in the wet, and likely scary in the snow based on how not sparkling in the wet they are.

Michelin HydroEdges might be better suited to Cleveland and its snow.

[HydroJim]

I'll talk to the tire guys and see what they recommend for the snow. I'm not buying the tires from them so they wont be biased based on price. the hydroedges definitely seem better suited for the snow though. Thanks guys.

oil pan- I have no considered going taller than my oem tires because the handling is already bad enough in the winter here. I'm not sure how taller tires would affect the handling in bad weather.

[Ryland]

Originally Posted by HydroJim

I would like to get the Michelin energy savers, but they don't make them in the size i need.

And that size would be...?
How about getting some Michelin X-ice snow tires for winter driving and good summer low rolling resistance tires for summer driving? a 2nd set of wheels makes changing them very quick and easy.

[HydroJim]

I wish I could get 2 sets of wheels and tires, but that's definitely way out of my budget. I'm just trying to find a good mix between low rolling resistance and not sliding across ice anymore than I already do in the winter.

the size I need is 195/60/15 but I may consider going taller. 195/65/15 is the next size up and there are many more types of tires available at that size. So that opens up many more options.

[DieselCAR]

Do a search on the forum for Nokian tires.
They are vastly superior to most other tires for winter traction
and are also LRR.
I put a set on my car last year. You won't be disappointed.

[some_other_dave]

Steel wheels that fit your car may be available from a junkyard for rather cheap. (No idea what your car is, though.) They will be more than good enough to put winter tires on, like those Nokians.

There's a decent chance you can get alloys that fit for a reasonable price from the junkyard, too.

-soD

[Vekke]

There is 3 times worse grip (braking distances) on ice with tires you noted on the first post than with real winter tires. If you have ice on the roads there is no sense to drive in all season (summer)tires. If you buy Nokian hakkapeliitta R or Michelin XI2 you have super grip on winter and enough grip on summer for regular driving. If your temperatures go above +20 celsius or 68 fahrenheits then you will need real summer tires.

Taller tires dont effect handling, if you have good tires. At least if you only go one size up. Going narrower will help winter traction and also if you can fit 14" wheels they are also a good option. Wheels+tires are cheaper usually.

With good winter tires that is as fun or even more fun to drive on winter than in summer. You can make easily powerslides in corners, also on FWD cars and do little bit of rallying if you are into stuff like that. If there is snow you can lean into snow banks etc. Nothing beats good rally stage with 1-2 inch virgin snow cover IMO, be the first one to cork it and you can be rally god (at least in your own head).

If you can afford to buy a car then you should also have money for decent tires on it...