Best OE tires for fuel economy

bgalizio · #1 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009, 04:04 PM

My original Dunlop SP31 tires are nearing the end of their life (46k miles thus far). I've seen that some NA 1st Gen Fits (mine is a 2007) have shipped with the Bridgestone Turanza EL41 tires too. Which of those two tires can achieve better fuel economy? And which generally lasts longer?

Tork · #2 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 12:51 AM

A bunch of new tech low rolling resistance tires will be out shortly.
I happend to have studdied up on this a lot

Michelin Energy Saver is one, been on sale in Europe for over a year, available here in a few weeks. Frankfurt 2007 video: Michelin's Energy Saver tire

Bridgestone has one called the Ecopia, also out soon.
Bridgestone Introduces Ecopia EP100 Low Rolling Resistance Tire - Fuel Efficient News, Car Features and Reviews - Automobile Magazine

Of tires that are out right now
The Michelin Hydro Edge I think it is called, has similar design to the Energy Saver

And, a little bit older info, Consumer Reports has done low rolling resistance tests.
Michelin X did well (sold at club stores)
and Continental Contact (sp?) was also one of the best, but the soon to be released above mentioned tires will be even better.

I did read where Toyota is putting the Energy Saver on the Yaris as it tested out about 1.5 mpg better than their previous low rolling resistance OEM tire
http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19621

Tork · #3 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 02:01 AM

also Goodyear has released last month the Fuel Max tire available in 27 sizes
will be OEM tire for the Chevy Volt
Soft, chewy fuel mileage - Goodyear introduces Assurance FuelMax tire

Tire rack now shows the Bridgestone Ecopia 100, but only in 3 sizes so far

jrlnc · #4 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tork

also Goodyear has released last month the Fuel Max tire available in 27 sizes
will be OEM tire for the Chevy Volt
Soft, chewy fuel mileage - Goodyear introduces Assurance FuelMax tire

Tire rack now shows the Bridgestone Ecopia 100, but only in 3 sizes so far

So far these tires did increase my Fit's fuel economy ~2 mpg. I running 205/50/R16's on it. They seem a little quieter than the stock tires and the traction is better too. On some surfaces though it's a punishing, jittery ride. (The original Bridgestones were nothing special either!)

bgalizio · #5 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 07:26 AM

Thanks for the replies. I should probably also specify that my 2007 Fit Sport has 195/55R15 tires. I'm not interested in using a different size.

jagass · #6 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 08:35 AM

Bridgestone is a good brand...

bgalizio · #7 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 09:47 AM

The Bridgestone Potenza RE92 used to be the OE tire on the original Insight... wonder if they would be good for my Fit?

Tork · #8 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 05:14 PM

From all my reading, Consumer reports, mpg sites/hybrid sites, I have not seen the RE 92 listed as a low rolling resistance tire. I have owned them (came OEM on my 2 Maxima;s) not bad except in the rain, liked to hydroplane. Many members of Maxima.org commented on the bad hydroplaneing as well.

Daemione · #9 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 08:06 PM

RE92's are some of Bridgestone's most mediocre tires . . . They've come OE on many many different cars for the past 10 years (and probably longer), and you can find complaints about them everywhere.

I ran on a set myself for a few thousand miles. It's not that they're bad - it's that they don't do anything particularly well. They belong in the high performance all-season category . . . but in my opinion you can upgrade to almost any ultra-high performance all-season tire, and they'll beat the snot out of RE92's with zero downsides.

Although for what it's worth, I never buy tires with fuel efficiency in mind. Traction (and the safety it grants) is much more important to me.

Tork · #10 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 10:13 PM

well the new breed of hi-mpg tires have been testing out well in Europe.
The new designs are a whole new ball game they say with out the (sometimes severe) compromises.

dolphfan72 · #11 (**permalink**) 05-16-2009, 11:14 AM

A really good replacement and a fuel saving tire is the Goodyear Assurance fuel Max. This tire has out performed all fuel resistant tires on the market. It is also rated at 6500 mile tread life it helps reduce energy loss as the tire rolls to save 2,600 miles worth of gas over the life of the tire. and the tire is rated at 620 for T rated tires and 580 for "H" rated. I did my research and bought the tires when they came out last month and so far I am very happy with them and they handle and ride great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgalizio

My original Dunlop SP31 tires are nearing the end of their life (46k miles thus far). I've seen that some NA 1st Gen Fits (mine is a 2007) have shipped with the Bridgestone Turanza EL41 tires too. Which of those two tires can achieve better fuel economy? And which generally lasts longer?

bgalizio · #12 (**permalink**) 05-16-2009, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dolphfan72

A really good replacement and a fuel saving tire is the Goodyear Assurance fuel Max. This tire has out performed all fuel resistant tires on the market. It is also rated at 6500 mile tread life it helps reduce energy loss as the tire rolls to save 2,600 miles worth of gas over the life of the tire. and the tire is rated at 620 for T rated tires and 580 for "H" rated. I did my research and bought the tires when they came out last month and so far I am very happy with them and they handle and ride great.

Thanks, but they don't make that tire in the 07 Fit Sport size, and I'm not interested in changing sizes.

I ordered a set of Turanza EL41's from my dealer. From what I can see, they were the OE tires on some Fit Sports in Canada.

allitt · #13 (**permalink**) 05-20-2009, 01:28 PM

I recently experienced a road hazard and need to replace a stock tire after 22K miles, mounted on the stock R15 sport mag wheels.

Availability and price are working against a quick solution to get back on the road.. Tires prices have also seemed to have gone through the roof? so a change of tire probably means the purchase of two tires.

That being said I saw a link to a HCH SP31 which is on sale but is a 195/65/R15 use on 06 HCHs. Would that change in aspect ratio be worth consideration by replace two of my tires at a time? I'd like to stay on the R15 rims.

I have read all the alternatives mentioned and can certainly go with a more conventional/less echo green type product. Any thoughts I may have overlooked.

Thanks

runbikerun · #14 (**permalink**) 05-26-2009, 09:51 AM

Has anyone had any issues with the new efficient tires when its raining?

pcs0snq · #15 (**permalink**) 05-30-2009, 08:58 PM

I have 22k and around 7/32 tread. I think Honda did a great job selecting the P31's and they will be going right back on. Very impressive tire for sure. I run mine a 60psi

pcs0snq · #16 (**permalink**) 05-30-2009, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dolphfan72

A really good replacement and a fuel saving tire is the Goodyear Assurance fuel Max. This tire has out performed all fuel resistant tires on the market. It is also rated at 6500 mile tread life .

That has to be a typo. You have to mean 65,000

What size did you get, what does the side wall max pressure say and how much did they cost?

Also just wondering why you picked these over the P31's?

wdb · #17 (**permalink**) 05-30-2009, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcs0snq

Also just wondering why you picked these over the P31's?

If fuel economy is your only objective I guess the stockers aren't bad. But they pretty much suck at other things "all-season" tires are supposed to do, such as wet weather traction and winter (ice/snow) traction. In other words, they compromise safety for 'economy'.

I'm not the only one who thinks so -- check out the user reviews on Tire Rack.

My Dunlops are, mercifully, almost shot. I'm probably going to go with Michelin Pilot Exaltos for the next set. They're not touted as being good for fuel economy; but I have several criteria for a tire that I put ahead of MPG's, and the Pilots appear to excel at all of them.

pcs0snq · #18 (**permalink**) 05-31-2009, 12:42 AM

sorry for over looking a weather related issue like that. Out of sight out of mind. I'll correct that to say it's a great tire in weather other then SNOW and ICE

Shaggs2Dope · #19 (**permalink**) 05-31-2009, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tork

well the new breed of hi-mpg tires have been testing out well in Europe.
The new designs are a whole new ball game they say with out the (sometimes severe) compromises.

I have heard the same thing, loss of traction, especially in avoidance maneuvers and wet traction. I would rather run an ultra high performance all season and have the traction than the 1mpg gain, as avoiding an accident altogether is about the highest thing on my priority list in the fit.

SmartSizer · #20 (**permalink**) 05-31-2009, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcs0snq

I have 22k and around 7/32 tread. I think Honda did a great job selecting the P31's and they will be going right back on. Very impressive tire for sure. I run mine a 60psi

I hope you don't drive when it's raining out on those rolling pins...(60psi?!?!?)

The P31's are great tires - I agree... but at 60psi, you're probably rattling your car apart, much less getting any kind of performance out of the tires.

Seriously - how much money do you save a year by inflating your tires to dangerous levels?