Low Rolling Resistance replacement tires: Current List

My experience with replacing tyres on my 2007 workhorse.
The old tyres were Bridgestone Turanza ER30 tyres with about 65 000 km (40 000 mile) on them.
The Michelin Energy Saver AS and Michelin Primacy MXM4 are unfortunately not available in South Africa in the 195/55R16 size that I needed. The Michelin Energy XM2 which looks like a good tyre is also not available in this size. So I went with the same tires that my wife's Prius has which is the Michelin Energy Saver. The ratings from www.michelinman.com for the Energy Saver A/S and the Energy Saver are very similar:

........................................Energy™ Saver A/S .....Energy™ Saver
WEAR LIFE .....................7 ..................................7
FUEL EFFICIENCY ..........10 ................................10
HANDLING .....................8 ...................................9
BRAKING ........................8 ...................................9
COMFORT .......................10 ..................................9

So full of expectation I drove the past few days while concentrating on comparing the previous ride experience with the current. And I can without any hesitation say that so far the experience is like comparing chalk and cheese. I always thought that there were other factors why my wife's 2009 was driving so much better than mine but now I know it is the tires that makes the difference. The most pertinent difference is road noise which almost disappeared especially on tarred roads with a very coarse surface . Next is rolling resistance. My Prius can now also glide seemingly forever like my wife's . The fuel efficiency is also rising but I will finish the current tank before passing a verdict on this matter. I think that the elusive 800 mile tank is looming ahead . At www.fuelly.com/driver/jaquimo the running average for the last 12 months is at 4.5 l/100 km (52.4 mpg US) and I believe that should be a good measure of the fuel efficiency difference. As for wear life I meticulously keep the tyre pressure at 290/280 kPa (42/40 psi) front and rear and will keep a close eye on the new tyres for any signs of excessive wear. The 50 000 km warranty and pothole guarantee that came with the tyres also require the wheel alignment to be checked and the tyres to be rotated by the dealer every 10 000 km so those aspects will be closely monitored. I will post updates as available.

 

Went to my local discount tire today but the michelin energy savers were out of stock. They talked to michelin and were told that the production date on the energy savers could be 2 weeks or 6 months

The michelin defender was the next recommended tire from the store and in stock.

Now looking at the Bridgestone Ecopia EP422.

I'm primarily focusing on mpg.

What to do?

 

Justin,

The comparison is based on same size tyres ?

 

Sorry, I was unclear in my question. I was wondering if your comment that the Energy Saver A/S had much lower RR than the MXM4 was comparing tyres of similar width. I gather (?) the A/S does not come in 17 inch, but I am unsure if the MXM4 has a 15 inch variety.

 

Justin,

I just checked, and found the Energy Saver A/S comes in a 205/65R16* size. Did you avoid this tyre for aesthetic reasons, or would fuel economy, mounting or performance be a problem ?

 

FWIW, in the November '12 issue of Consumer Reports, they reviewed a whole bunch of tires. Here are the ones that got the best possible score (dot) for rolling resistance:

All-season tires (T speed rating):
Yokohama Avid Ascend - did pretty well in overall score, was ranked 6/20 in that category. Got a recommended check mark.

Performance all-season tires (H speed rating):
Michelin Primacy MXV4 - ranked #1/20 in that category. Got recommended check mark.
Dunlop SP Sport 7000 A/S - ranked #7/20.
Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 - was ranked dead last in that category (20/20).

Performance all-season tires (V speed rating):
Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 - was ranked 20/22 in that category

The tires were ranked by overall score within each category.

FWIW, I have two EP422 tires and they seem fine to me. They're better than the stock crap Goodyear Integrities. When my two other tires (Bridgestone RE960AS) tires wear out, I'll probably replace them w/EP422.

 

Oh yeah, I keep forgetting that the diameter number is the hole of the tyre.

Right ?

I still am not calculating correctly though, since I get the outer diameters as
21.246 inches for the 16 inch A/S, and

20.809 inches for the 17 inch MXM4.

AS: 16 + (205/25.4*.65)
MXM4: 17+ (215/25.4*.45)

That would be a height difference of .44 inches, rather than the 1.5 inches you mentioned. Where am I going wrong ?

Addendum: Oops -- I forgot to double the outer measurement. Is the correct height difference 1.88 inches ?

 

Been there with the Ecopia EP422, and took them back during the 30 day
money back period and replaced them with Michelin Energy Saver AS tires
for only $48.00 more at Costco last month.

The EP 422 in my opinion drift at high speed, and are not as quiet as Michelin.
The Michelin just gives me a better ride.

 

Yes, on the tyre it says "Made in Germany".

 

I went with the Energy saver A/S from Costco and have seen a nice increase in MPG over the factory goodyears. On my daily 100 mi commute I averaged 47.5 mpg now the with the Michelins I'm at 52.6 Mpg. This is at factory air settings and same route same outside temps. Overall the new tires are quieter and seem to handle better. Very happy with this tire. Thanks to all for your posts helping me make a great decision.

 

Should I bump a 2008 Touring to a 205/55/16 to correct the revs per mile. I noticed that the suggested fix for 2004-09 is 831 and the stock size (195/55) would put me at 853 or so. Im debating between the EP422 in those two sizes. Nothing else seems to really come in that size that's reasonably priced.

 

I bought some 215 45R 17 and in putting them on a set of 17" TC rims ( which look very nice)
I also feel there is some wheel gap. Agin what size might eliminate the look and no adverslely affect
handling or MPG? Taller? Narrower?

 

thanks so much for your insight
pics tell the story!
thanks