Tires: Low resistance keeps you rollin' rollin' rollin'
Low rolling resistance tires aren't just for hybrids anymore. In search of every improvement to fuel consumption figures they can find, FoMoCo is shoeing its entire 2009 compact SUV line up in eco-rubber. They expect the 16-inch Michelin Latitude Tour tires, like the one pictured to our right, to net an extra one mpg on its 4-cylinder Escape. While that may not sound like a lot, it should dozens of gallons of fuel over the tires'lifetime.Ford isn't the only automaker taking advantage, either. GM is using low-resistance Bridgestones on its full-size pick up hybrids and claims a 2 mile-per-gallon improvement. If you want to try out low-resistance treads on your own vehicle, just remember that fuel savings aren't the be all and end all of tire technology. Low resistance tires don't flex as much as regular tires and can add a few feet to emergency stopping distances. They are also not recommended for driving off road. The environmental qualities of the tech are undeniable though. Michelin says the 570 million energy-saving tires it has sold in the past 15 years have saved 2.38 billion gallons of fuel from being burned. Just thinking of that fact almost makes you want to sing, "Rollin' rollin' rollin'..."
[Source: The Detoit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jimmy 5:29PM (7/14/2008)
Now if only manufactures would publish their rolling resistance ratings in a standard format!
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Mili 5:42PM (7/14/2008)
Put those on a Hummer and you will be still eating your way through tons of fuel. Sure, they can SLIGHTLY IMPROVE the consumption, but that is maximum that they can do.
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Fuzzball 6:24PM (7/14/2008)
Sorry, but I'd much rather have tread grip than lower rolling resistance. Being able to stop faster, corner better, not run into someone, and not slide off the road is more important than being able to go an extra 15 miles on a tank of gas.
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philmcneal 6:26PM (7/14/2008)
definitely going michellin for my next tire change, didn't realize these goodyear allegras are biased towards snow traction, and its not even that good!!
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philmcneal 6:26PM (7/14/2008)
it depends how you drive too fuzzball, i like to leave lots of space in front of me :) and predict well ahead of time.
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Nick 7:51PM (7/14/2008)
Could you please indicate the brand and models of the tires described?
I've been looking for low resistance tired for my Dodge Ram truck, looking for infos.
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Mike 10:27PM (7/14/2008)
Check that wear rating first. I went thru three sets of the factory low-rolling resistance tires on my 2001 Prius (160 wear rating), at about 20-25K miles each, before I gave up and put on normal tires. Mileage dropped 1-2 mpg. But what's the carbon footprint of making four new tires? Not to mention the cost. Note that Toyota went to normal tires for the 2nd gen Prius in 2003.
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Mr Brody 2:00PM (7/15/2008)
I have never had any traction probelms on the Honda Insight low rolling resistance tires and they are very narrow. The insight handles supprizingly well. That might have to do with the fact that it is about 1200lb lighter than most cars. Its around 1800 lb.
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