Choosing Low Rolling Resistance Tires

[Nevyn]

I took off Assurance Fuel Max's and put on KH30's. I like the KH30's better, especially in the wet at higher pressures.

[JMac]

As a side note, the B381 tire which is known for the lowest rolling resistance in the old test was a 185/70-14 tire with a 5" tread width. The 185/65-14 version has a 5.4" tread width (almost certainly higher rolling resistance). The tire also has a B rating for wet traction and a B rating for tread wear.

It seems like tread width has a very large (if not, the largest) impact on rolling resistance.

The Kumho KH30 in my size (185/65-14) has a 5.2" tread width with an A rating for wet traction and an A rating for tread wear. I think I've zeroed in on my tire. Going to get the new wheels and tires within the next few weeks. If I end up getting them, I'll try to give some first-hand input on the Kumho KH30 tires, although I don't really have the time for any halfway scientific testing these days.

JMac

[Creeper]

I have had several versions of kuhmo tires both all seasons with reasanable rolling resistance all the way up too Z-rated street strip tires that wear well and grip extremely well. I used to whip my optra around and they held well wet or dry.

[suspectnumber961]

I had a set of Kumho Ecstas 60 series that lasted 40K miles under spirited driving...wear across the tread was even. I mounted and balanced them myself. In fact I drove them around a while before balancing them and they didn't jump around. Had good wet/dry traction.

Would like to see how the LRR Kumho tire does as far as wet and light snow. Do know that with the tires I had...they took more air than on the door label to keep from being "sloppy" in handling.

[AeroModder]

"The tire also has a B rating for wet traction and a B rating for tread wear."


Tread wear is assigned a number, actually. The Uniform Tire Quality Grade (UTQG) standards are set up like this: Treadwear, Wet braking traction, Temparature resistance. For example, the current tires on my Aspire are 420 A A.

Tire Tech Information - Uniform Tire Quality Grade (UTQG) Standards

[JMac]

Tread wear is assigned a number, actually.

Right! As I was writing that, I couldn't remember what the second letter was. Thought it was something to do with tread wear (in my mind, temperature resistance factors in to tread wear, but maybe it shouldn't).

So the 185/70-14 Bridgestone B381 tires are a 240 B B.
The 185/65-14 Bridgestone B381 tires are a 260 A B.

The Kumho KH30 tires are rated at 440 A A.

Seems like the Kumhos are a much better deal.

JMac

[tim3058]

I just got the Kumho eco Solus HM KR22's on my car last week. So far, I'm happy, not sure whether the ecowing ones are any different but so far these are getting great mpg's, and ride quiet. I do get a "shimmy" on longitudinal-grooved concrete roads, but I was told Fuzion performance tires shimmy on the grooving as well. Keep in mind the life-cycle cost vs. the HM's 100k mile rating. Hope that helps.

[suspectnumber961]

Deciding to go with the Continental ProContact EcoPlus+ tires and going up one size from OEM. 600 A B

They rate pretty well in these tests...

Eco-Friendly All-Season Tires — How Does Performance Measure Up?

Also I have a sub to ConsumerReports and this tire is the second best rated tire in the all season touring category. RollResist is rated as excellent.

Assuming a LRR tire does 5% better than the avg tire as far as mpg...over the life of the tires...they could pay for themselves...maybe at least partially.

* turns out they don't have this tire in the size I need...still a good tire though

[jtbo]

I have Continental Viking Contact 5 northern europe versions, compared to ordinary summer tyres these are a lot better, actually all winners of ecorun competitions here use similar tires instead of summer tires or LRR tires because these have even lower rolling resistance.

Compared to typical winter tires fuel consumption is around 25% less. Of course difficult to find in US and these don't really work in heat, tend to melt if very hot weather.

[1337]

Originally Posted by kir_kenix

LRR tires seem to have minimal traction and poor clean out (from my experience anyway). Your info says you live in the midwest, and I can bet at some point you will have to do some driving in the slush/snow. I have never bought tires specifically to save fuel, but I would still want them to get me around in the conditions. YMMV, but for my money I would go with what is most likely to get me out of my driveway.

By that logic, wouldn't you use snow tires year round? Or how about off-road tires? Just in case it snows in the summer, you'll be ready with your Blizzaks...