Fuel Efficient Tires

[ProDigit]

Most all season tires, with steel braids are economic in nature.
Most Chinese <$80/tire tires, are very bad for fuel economy.
The worst offender would probably be from the company 'Milestar'.
They wanted to create cheap tires, by infusing them with silicon.
They fail safety scores of impact, MPG and power (rob a lot of power).
On the other hand, they're very soft and comfortable tires, that have awesome grip (when the thread is still good); and outperform most other brands in terms of grip, on the tarmac, in dry weather, when the thread is worn.

[hat_man]

I have Hankook Kinergy PT's in a rather large 235/75/15 on my Ranger. So far I'm very happy with them. Not sure how they will be in the snow so I may be in the market for some dedicated winter tires. Only time will tell. As far as I know, the PT's (and maybe the ST's) are the only Hankook's being made in the USA at a plant in Tennessee.

[Daox]

Any feedback so far on those tires hat man? I'm considering them for my next set for either my Prius or Mirage. Both need tires and the Kinergy STs are all too reasonably priced.

[freebeard]

A local shop has a set of four used "90%" Classic AS for $200. I think it's these ones:

/duckduckgo.com/?q=Multi-mile+Classic+All+Season+-+155%2F80r12

Any thoughts on rolling resistance, etc.?

[Stubby79]

Nothing comes up for searching about them regarding fuel efficiency. I take that as meaning they're just plain old all season tires that aren't gonna save ya anything in the RR department.

After seeing the tread pattern shown by the tire tracks left after coming in from the rain, I think I see part of why I was getting good gas mileage on my Metro vert...I think I still have those wheels and tires...kept them because they were a hard to find size...too bad there's a border between us, or you could have 'em.

[freebeard]

This reminds me of a PM exchange in November.

[CapriRacer]

Funny, Tire Rack lists a Classic All Season as the only tire available in 155/80R12 - and "Classic" is the brand! They don't list a UTQG rating for the tire because 12" and smaller are not required to have one - but Tire Rack says they have one other size available - a 165/80R15 and the UTQG for that is 280BB - the opposite of impressive.

BTW, both sizes come from China.

My best guess is that these tires are very poor for fuel economy and are only available because there are a few vehicle that need these sizes.

[19bonestock88]

That is a truly awful tire rating

[freebeard]

I'm using the 90%-used price point to compare to Michelins or Bridgeports. I'm looking at having the shop that's selling me the car order some in so I can mount the tires and then paint the rims before inflation. I've already got the rattle cans but I don't want to that it to a tire shop with new/soft paint.

[Stubby79]

If you go to 13" wheels, for whatever reason, you'll find the ones with the same diameter as your 12's are hard to find (that's what the ones I mentioned having are), and if you go for the 155/80r13's of the later models, your speedo will be out...but you can switch the speedo gear to correct it. Will give you slightly taller gearing, though I'd assume the 13's weigh more than 12's, so the gains might be a wash.