Tall tire test (taller gearing advantage offset by wider, heavier wheels/tires?) - Page 7 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

cfg83 · 06-20-2011, 05:14 PM

SentraSE-R -

Thanks again for the hard work. This is one of the best tire-size tests on the forum. The only other person I can think of that has done exhaustive tests like this is MetroMPG.

CarloSW2

California98Civic · 06-20-2011, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SentraSE-R

Thanks for your suggestion, CarlosSW. Tire sizes incorporated in results summary.

What a great suggestion Carlos gave. Thanks for adding it that way. It suggests that taller is not better if it means significantly heavier, but that weights being relatively equal taller is quite a bit better than OEM. Given my plan to go taller on the fronts and create a net loss in weight by balancing it with smaller rear tires--all on the stock 15" wheels--this is really encouraging data. Much obliged. Model test. I'll have to consult this again next time I'm testing. You do these well.

CapriRacer · 06-20-2011, 06:53 PM

Good work.

But I want to point out that the tire itself has a major effect on the fuel numbers, so in addition to the tire size and weight, you should also add the make and model of the tire to the results to remind people that that is also important.

Oh, and I think it might add to "completeness" if you added that fact that there were different states of wear.

SentraSE-R · 06-20-2011, 08:16 PM

Thanks for the suggestion, CapriRacer. I made your suggested changes, which will contribute to our body of knowledge. Thanks to all of you for your compliments and input. My testing is a better product, thanks to your suggestions.

CaliforniaCivic, yes I'm satisfied with my 17" tires/wheels. My wife & I think their appearance is perfect for my car, and they barely hurt mpg performance. I can drive the mules with Hollywood Flipper or classic full moon hubcaps most of the time, and switch to the 17" set when I want to show off the car.

arcosine · 06-20-2011, 08:31 PM

I wonder what a pair of 165/80R15 tires would yield.

http://goldcountry.craigslist.org/pts/2449835003.html

cfg83 · 06-20-2011, 08:53 PM

Hello -

These are STOCK photos of the tire tread patterns as new. They are the pattern but the number of treads may be different :

A =

B =

C =

Yay, ContiProContact rocks!

CarloSW2

SentraSE-R · 06-21-2011, 12:56 AM

Wow, CarlosSW2, those are my test tire patterns, for sure.

Arcosine, those 165/80-15s would make an interesting test. I suspect they'll do pretty well for mileage, but might fail handling and ridicule tests. 80 profile tires are an endangered species, going the way of dinosaurs and Dodos.

arcosine · 06-21-2011, 08:28 AM

I don't think 80 series would be a problem at the speeds you are running. The honda crx handles fine with them and zero scrub radius but the saturn tends to understeer. Trucks use 85 series. They are great in the rain, hardly make a splash. I wonder how jpoole is doing witht his set.

California98Civic · 06-21-2011, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SentraSE-R

CaliforniaCivic, yes I'm satisfied with my 17" tires/wheels. My wife & I think their appearance is perfect for my car, and they barely hurt mpg performance. I can drive the mules with Hollywood Flipper or classic full moon hubcaps most of the time, and switch to the 17" set when I want to show off the car.

Cool.