Tires Really Do Affect Fuel Economy
#21
08-01-2014, 12:59 PM
Keep in mind the general rule of thumb that LLR (low rolling resistant) tires = better MPG BUUT worst-er traction. Traction is not just lateral Gs, but also braking ability. No tire can defy the laws of physics. What is worth more to you? That little contact patch on your tires is the only link between you (car) and the road. I firmly believe a great tire for one person may not be so great for another. Just have to figure out your priorities.
Last edited by silentnoise713; 08-01-2014 at 01:01 PM.
#22
08-01-2014, 01:19 PM
The Michelin Energies are a good compromise between traction/handling and LRR. They get better MPG than the stock Dunlops and better stopping/handling. The Dunlops were toast at 30K, I'm at 45K on the Michelins with plenty of tread left.
I've only activated the ABS on ice with the Michelins. The Dunlops were always setting it off on wet pavement even when they were fresh.
You can eat your cake and have it too:
I've only activated the ABS on ice with the Michelins. The Dunlops were always setting it off on wet pavement even when they were fresh.
You can eat your cake and have it too:
#23
08-01-2014, 10:30 PM
If you are worried about traction, just find a super economy tire in a wider size. the extra width will make up for the traction difference.
Plus wider tires look better. the factories look like a full set of donuts
Plus wider tires look better. the factories look like a full set of donuts
#24
08-02-2014, 11:31 AM
Blew through my stock 15 inch tires at 30k miles on my '12 base.
When I went to the tire store to replace them, the guy at America's/Discount Tires suggested Arizonians (Cooper) and upped the size to 185/65-R15s (from the stock 175/65-R15s). I noticed a small drop in fuel economy (2-3 MPG).
I wore out those tires after 45k, so I bought some Goodyears (185/65-R15s also) that were on sale. Turns out, they are the "ComforTread" tires. While the car was incredibly quiet, and smooth over bumps, it destroyed my fuel economy.
I went from 35 MPG on the freeway to 29 MPG instantly. I couldn't get the car to go above 30 MPG no matter how many hills I coasted down in neutral.
Swapped 'em for some low rolling resistance tires (Michelin Energy Savers) and went back to the stock 175/65-R15 size. I'm pretty much back to the MPGs I was seeing with the stock tires. The car is bumpier and noisier again, though. But that's the trade off for good gas mileage, I suppose.
Anyway, wanted to pass along as a head's up. The tires really do affect MPG on this car, more than any other I've ever owned.
When I went to the tire store to replace them, the guy at America's/Discount Tires suggested Arizonians (Cooper) and upped the size to 185/65-R15s (from the stock 175/65-R15s). I noticed a small drop in fuel economy (2-3 MPG).
I wore out those tires after 45k, so I bought some Goodyears (185/65-R15s also) that were on sale. Turns out, they are the "ComforTread" tires. While the car was incredibly quiet, and smooth over bumps, it destroyed my fuel economy.
I went from 35 MPG on the freeway to 29 MPG instantly. I couldn't get the car to go above 30 MPG no matter how many hills I coasted down in neutral.
Swapped 'em for some low rolling resistance tires (Michelin Energy Savers) and went back to the stock 175/65-R15 size. I'm pretty much back to the MPGs I was seeing with the stock tires. The car is bumpier and noisier again, though. But that's the trade off for good gas mileage, I suppose.
Anyway, wanted to pass along as a head's up. The tires really do affect MPG on this car, more than any other I've ever owned.
1. larger diameter tires will hurt mpg unless you drive all the time on flat level roads.
2. heavier weight tires will decrease mpg.
Before buying new tires do your research. Consult the data on tirerack.com for diameter and weight data on tires and choose what you want. If you want better peformance by increasing tire width reduce tire diameter to at least make up some of the loss fromheavier tires. And you can reduce diameter by 1/4" without significantly affecting speedo and odometer readings. and yes if you find a lighter tire with slightly greater diameter you can get btter mpg.
cheers.
#25
08-02-2014, 11:38 AM
tire size does not play a big roll
Again, Im on 205/60/15 PERFORMANCE tires and I can still achieve 40mpg
That I think is nearly an inch bigger (taller) tire and much wider.
DRIVING STYLE, tire pressure, and engine upkeep are VERY big factors!
Again, Im on 205/60/15 PERFORMANCE tires and I can still achieve 40mpg
That I think is nearly an inch bigger (taller) tire and much wider.
DRIVING STYLE, tire pressure, and engine upkeep are VERY big factors!
#26
08-02-2014, 01:15 PM
Dowhill no traffic and 40 mph tailwind, or on flat level road with steady speed, yes, but as soon as you have acceleration, up and down hills, the heavier and larger diameter loses. We've had owners here try and in every case they lost up to 5 mpg and a second in quarter mile.
If you got 40 mpg with 205/60x15 what would you have gotten with 175/65x15's? Its a comparison, not absolute number.
#27
08-02-2014, 10:16 PM
i said it doesnt play a BIG roll. it will make a minor difference.
Ive had larger tires on since about 15k miles. im now touching 40k miles.
I resent people saying no when I drive everyday and achieve great gas mileage.
Hell I can beat the crap out of my casr for an entire tankful on backroads and still achieve 30mpg
take care of your car (tire psi, fluid changes, brake inspections, etc) and you can achieve great things out of it.
EDIT i run a 16.3 in the quarter mile with these bigger tires. I grab 4th for about a second before hitting the finish line
Ive had larger tires on since about 15k miles. im now touching 40k miles.
I resent people saying no when I drive everyday and achieve great gas mileage.
Hell I can beat the crap out of my casr for an entire tankful on backroads and still achieve 30mpg
take care of your car (tire psi, fluid changes, brake inspections, etc) and you can achieve great things out of it.
EDIT i run a 16.3 in the quarter mile with these bigger tires. I grab 4th for about a second before hitting the finish line
Last edited by 13fit; 08-02-2014 at 10:18 PM.
#28
08-02-2014, 11:41 PM
i said it doesnt play a BIG roll. it will make a minor difference.
Ive had larger tires on since about 15k miles. im now touching 40k miles.
I resent people saying no when I drive everyday and achieve great gas mileage.
Hell I can beat the crap out of my casr for an entire tankful on backroads and still achieve 30mpg
take care of your car (tire psi, fluid changes, brake inspections, etc) and you can achieve great things out of it.
EDIT i run a 16.3 in the quarter mile with these bigger tires. I grab 4th for about a second before hitting the finish line
Ive had larger tires on since about 15k miles. im now touching 40k miles.
I resent people saying no when I drive everyday and achieve great gas mileage.
Hell I can beat the crap out of my casr for an entire tankful on backroads and still achieve 30mpg
take care of your car (tire psi, fluid changes, brake inspections, etc) and you can achieve great things out of it.
EDIT i run a 16.3 in the quarter mile with these bigger tires. I grab 4th for about a second before hitting the finish line
#29
08-03-2014, 12:13 AM
I get a 16.6 I think if I bang on the rev limiter and dont shift into 4th.
the bigger tires helped a bit. They take a bit more to top off third gear, yet I still got like 85mph trapped since I am in 4th gear for such a tiny time.
Im changing my 205/60s to 205/50s when I can afford them. The fronts are worn due to all the abusive and curvy backroads I like to enjoy. Rear tires are fresh looking, and will get me through the winter
#30
08-03-2014, 01:06 AM
Tires are a big factor, if I put BFG Rivals on my car in place of my LRR OEM Hankooks, but drove exactly the same/kept the same pressures (38 PSI all around), and maintained at current rates...my MPG would suffer drastically.
Same can be said for making them much taller/wider.
#34
08-05-2014, 09:59 AM
#35
08-05-2014, 10:10 AM
But the real energy savings come from reduced friction, the "low roll resistance" (LRR) designation.
I saw an increase from 33mpg to 36mpg driving freeways 70%, city suburban roads 30%, tank for tank running the same tire pressure (33PSI). Over the life of the tires (50K) this equates to a fuel savings of $445 @ $3.50/gal. Not much but it more than pays for the premium tires and they last longer, perform better (compared to the stock Dunlops).
Last edited by Steve244; 08-05-2014 at 10:14 AM.
#37
08-05-2014, 11:40 AM
2 Lb per corner is a total of 8 lb and at a radius of about a foot the torque loss is 8 lb-ft. If you think thats not noticeable when you only have 130 lb or so max and much less at 2000 rpm, you are sadly mistaken. Like he said, an mpg loss of 1-3 mpg is typical.
The more effort you make your engine use the more fuel.
The more effort you make your engine use the more fuel.
#38
08-19-2014, 10:18 PM
Things to consider:
- Mugen Wheels suposed to be performance designed
- Same with the G-MAX AS-03
What can I say
The stability is incredible, I feel my car very different than before.
Luis
#40
08-22-2014, 09:56 PM
Has anyone tried 195/55/16 on fit sport? There is a lot more options in that size