Bridgestone Ecopia PZ-X, experiences?

[womprat]

Hi,
Just got two 225/45/17 Ecopia PZ-X on front wheels. Have not done the two rear yet.

New release tyre in 2012, doesn't seem to be very available around the world yet but is out in Aus/NZ and seems to be fitted as standard equipment on Camry hybrid? Searched ecomodder, nothing's come up so thought I'd post a few notes about it.

Previous tyres were more sporty 225/45/17 MY01, never got good economy and the ride was a little to harsh above 40psi.

Since two front new PZ-Xs got best two tanks ever at 31.5 & 32mpg on a 1200km road trip, without trying, open road driving including some big hills and not going so slow. Using less grill block (33% from about 50%) just in case, to tackle alpine passes with luggage, passengers and AC on. Went over a few really steep alpine passes, and nailed it past slow traffic on overtaking opportunities. Kind of promising potential. Was running 40psi in two fronts. Running 50psi for now.

Slightly annoyed with bridgestone, the MY01s were marked as 225, but never measured up as that, more like 210 total and 195 tread on 17x7 rims. I found out that I had speedo error measured as 3kph higher at 100kph than actual. Which is the error from factory in my car. Now these tyres measure up proper 225. As a result my rolling circumference is up too. I queried their customer service people and couldn't get any sensible answer.

Speedo error is now gone. 1:1. A few percent increase in wheel diameter means slightly taller over all gearing can't complain.

The official specs list the rolling circumference as 1930mm and 1940mm respectively. Measure 1966 on the front wheels now.

2250rpm at 100kph (62mph) via GPS rather than 97kph.

(Hindsight: should have gone back to 15" 195/65/15 and put ecopias on, even better FE?)

As for handling, not so bad, especially running higher psi. No problems. Tread pattern has massive grooves, I don't see these tyres aquaplaning... ever!

[gone-ot]

subscribed, because I, too, am interested in Ecopia tires...*IF* they truly are LRR.

[glasses]

I just had a full set installed on my Versa today, I will post my findings and see how much of an improvement they make!

[EL3CTR1CSHEEPZ]

Just bought four of these from a place here in Japan. I'm driving a 1996 Subaru Legacy GT-B and my typical gas mileage (tons of city driving) is around 20 MPG. Brutally bad for a four cylinder, although it is a twin turbo.

Tires are a 205/50/16 and I was running a set of very worn Bridgestone Potenza's before this. My only complaint on these tires was the price, cost me 82000 yen (about 820 USD) for the set.

We get a ton of rain in northern Japan so I'm especially interested to see how they hold up in the wet. Will update with my own experiences with these.

Thanks for your input on these, btw.

[xlink_nz]

I have 4 x 225/45/17 PZ-X so far 20K on them time will tell whether they last any better than what I have used previously for more fuel efficient despite claims

imho the fuel efficiency is directly related to the cost of the tyre i.e. why pay 25% more for a tyre that gives 6% better economy ?!