Bridgestone article on rolling resistance

[Ecky]

While doing tire research I came across this following page, and hadn't seen it shared before:

https://www.bridgestone.com/responsi...ncy/index.html

Contributing to Improved Fuel Economy with “Ologic,” an Entirely New Tire Concept


When a vehicle is in motion, a variety of resistance factors are working against it, including air resistance and tire rolling resistance, all of which reduce driving performance. Minimizing these resistances enable the vehicle to use less energy, which leads to improved fuel performance. The Bridgestone Group’s low fuel consumption tire technology “ologic” realizes superior performance through the following two features:

(1) These tires have a large diameter and high internal pressure (high inflated air pressure), which significantly reduce tire deformation from contact with the road surface and lower rolling resistance.

(2) The tire’s narrow tread design lowers air resistance, an important factor linked to improved vehicle fuel efficiency.



Furthermore, by optimizing the material, structure and pattern of the rubber and reinforcement layers, the rolling resistance coefficient is reduced approximately 30% compared to conventional standard tires. At the same time, safety performance in terms of vehicle handling on wet road surfaces is increased by approximately 10%.*1

“ECOPIA with ologic” tires employing “ologic” technology are standard equipment on the i3 revolutionary electric vehicle developed by BMW. They are also used on solar cars participating in the World Solar Challenge, the world’s top solar car race.

The Bridgestone Group aims to reduce CO2 emissions through improvements of vehicle fuel efficiency by promoting the reduction of CO2 emissions within manufacturing processes, as well as the technological development and global sales of more fuel efficient tires.

Comparison of tires employing “ologic” technology (Size: 155/70R19; Inflated air pressure: 320 kPa) and conventional tires (Size: 175/65R15; Inflated air pressure: 210 kPa) having the same load capabilities.

I know there's been some discussion about tire geometry - wider tires potentially having lower rolling resistance - but Bridgestone is apparently going the narrow route.

In other news, I just learned the VW XL1 uses tires which are almost identical in diameter to the G1 Insight's.

[Shaneajanderson]

Wider tires usually equal lower rolling resistance given the same pressure. But they mentioned high pressures in these tires. I don't know what they consider to be high pressure, but if they were to run say 80 psi instead of the 30-35 most cars call for, that could make the difference.

[Hersbird]

I just ordered new tires for our Town and Country. Seeing as how there seems to be no standards in the USA on what a LLR tire is I decided to look for one with a 51 psi max rating, a long tread life (which hopefully means harder compounds with stable tread blocks), and I got a 225/65/16 vs a 235/60/16 that is on there now.
They are Hankook Kinergy PT H737 and the final all in price should be almost exactly $400 shipped, mounted, balanced, and old disposal fee through Tire Buyer.

[redpoint5]

I don't know how accurate Tirerack ratings are, but I always use that as a primary criteria for choosing a tire. Averaging customer ratings in various criteria seems like it would tend to accurately portray a tire.

Here's an example chart:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/surve...7&cameFrom=TSR

[Piotrsko]

I think the survey is skewed by the very people making the response. I don't see Joe average "meh" reports in the comments which IMHO is a telling metric. Consumer reports has a different listing. Attempting to get RELIABLE unbiased data in the modern age is tough.

I'm trying to buy the best ultra performance all season in this size. The data is last years and replies are either gush or hate until you go 20pages back

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by Piotrsko

I think the survey is skewed by the very people making the response. I don't see Joe average "meh" reports in the comments which IMHO is a telling metric. Consumer reports has a different listing. Attempting to get RELIABLE unbiased data in the modern age is tough.

I'm trying to buy the best ultra performance all season in this size. The data is last years and replies are either gush or hate until you go 20pages back

The Bridgestone Potenza RE92 (stock tire for the Insight) has something like a 4/10 rating and some *very* honest reviews. Unfortunately the 165 width version of that tire is not the same as the rest of the series.

[Piotrsko]

Originally Posted by Ecky

The Bridgestone Potenza RE92 (stock tire for the Insight) has something like a 4/10 rating and some *very* honest reviews. Unfortunately the 165 width version of that tire is not the same as the rest of the series.

My point exactly. Is the 165w better or worse or just cheaper? We Don't know.

[NeilBlanchard]

We do have a thread on this line of Bridgestone tires:

Bridgestone Announces Large Diameter Narrow Tires

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I don't know how accurate Tirerack ratings are, but I always use that as a primary criteria for choosing a tire. Averaging customer ratings in various criteria seems like it would tend to accurately portray a tire.

Here's an example chart:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/surve...7&cameFrom=TSR

We don't have a Tire Rack installer and nobody here wants to put on other people's tires. Normally I buy at Discount Tire Direct but same thing no installers, so only if I buy a wheel and tire package already mounted and balanced. This is the 2nd time I have used Tire Buyer and I like them, the Firestone car care center is the installer for them, they just ship everything directly to the shop for free. I would go to our local Tire Rama as I like them very much, but they had 2 choices for my car, neither I liked much. I really think Les Schwab is overpriced.

And as for width, no counting rolling resistance, the narrow tire will have less frontal area unless it is also much taller. My new tires will be a bit taller but that should lower the gear ratio a tiny amount. That was my reasoning on going 225/65 vs 235/60 and a $25 savings buys 500ish miles.

[Joggernot]

In the past I've been able to look up the tire I want on the Walmart site. They will ship to your local Walmart to have them installed. Haven't had to buy tires lately and won't for a couple more years, so don't know about tire selection at this time.