Comments on: Low-Resistance Tires

By: ron vargo

ron vargo — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 10:41:03 +0000

Good discusion on tires. In order to save lots of money on fuel, ( I was driving a dodge durango that got 13.4 ave. gas milage) I bought a 2004 TDI Jetta 5 speed. I was considering the low resistance tires, but, now I dont think they are worth it for the extra price, and ride characteristics. I have been extremely happy with the jetta. 160,000 miles on it and I get 43 mpg city, and a whopping 62 highway only if I bump the speed down to 60mph. One tank of gas goes 600 miles easy for me. I call this farfromfullin.

By: LHO

LHO — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 03:50:18 +0000

Just returned from a 2,700 trip in a 2009 PRIUS. Higway travel consistantly 50 to 52 MPG. Inflation on original eqipment tires 36 psi. With over 50,000 miles, most are highway miles, this has been a pleasant and reliable experience. I keep accurate record of all road expenses, including, cost per gal, number of gallons, mipg. etc. Great to pass the pumps and save a few dollars at the same time.

By: LHO

LHO — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 03:50:17 +0000

By: Qew

Qew — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 22:15:47 +0000

Hey dennis dickson,
Hybrids r a rip off? just got my 2011 honda insight,epa 40mpg city,43mpg highway.I got the lx,mid model,for just under 22 out the door.I drive 140 miles to work everyday,roundtrip,about 25 city and the rest highway,i have the cheapy stock dunlop tires everyone complains about and I'm getting just over 51 mpg avg. its not a straight away on the highway there are hills and drops.
Maybe you should recalculate your simple math..

By: dennis dickinson

dennis dickinson — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:10:02 +0000

rong tire psi then you where out the middle of the tire
i whent the other way because low rolling resistance rip off tires cost 325 each so i got regular ones @ 80 each.
my 4x civic with the same tires gets 31mph & now the Prius "with the same tires" gets 30
it's simple math hybrids are a rip off

By: Tyres in Barnsley

Tyres in Barnsley — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 22:38:55 +0000

It's so interesting to see how you guys approach things in the USA. here in the UK we hve similar, yet different approaches.

Thanks for the information, it was very useful.

Stewart

By: Van

Van — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 01:34:58 +0000

To Mustang
Actually, the tires on my 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid have not only lasted 86,000 miles, and just now need replacement, but have performed incredibly even in snow and ice. I really have been amazed myself as I ski in the Northwest almost every weekend and have driven in all kinds of bad weather with them very happily.
I'm replacing the tires now and probably will stay with the Continental EcoPlus tires.

By: Mustang

Mustang — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 21:53:34 +0000

To blue monkey, First off, we're talking about hybrid cars, and using low rolling resistance tires or not.

Secondly, no one said you'd get 40 mpg just by inflating your tires to a higher psi.

Third, you're obviously happy with your car, but if you think you get better mileage than a Prius, which lists at the same price as a tdi six speed, then you need to do a little research.

Just to keep things in perspective, since every one drives differently, lets use epa numbers. Prius city mpg = 50. Jetta tdi = 30.

Prius highway = 48, jetta = 41. Combined mpg Prius = 50, Jetta = 34.

Also, where you got the figure of 5-7 grand for batteries I don't know. Supposedly the cost of a Prius complete replacement is $4,000 and needs replacing around the 7-8 year mark, but real costs seem to be more like $2,4000 or less. I've even heard of rebuilds costing no more than $500.

Ever checked on the cost to replace that tdi turbo? About $2,700. Then there's VW's famous "special tools".

The biggest problems with the low rolling resistance tires, besides the inflated price, is how long they last. And that's what isn't very good. There are some new replacements like the hydroedge,that have almost as good mpg, but are guaranteed for 90,000 miles.

But they're still basically twice the price of a standard tire. So you need to do the math, to see if it's really worth the extra cost or not.

By: soalr perth

soalr perth — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 13:06:15 +0000

Very interesting I’m going to check the tyre pressure on my FWD car in the morning!!!

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:18:04 +0000

R.A.D.O.A.E made a very good post, IMO. I found all he says about high pressure in the rear of the car to be true dependent on tire choice at PROPER pressure- my old Goodyear Integrity (original factory equipment) skittered and skidded, NEW and used, but not as much my slightly lower mileage Kumho Solus KR21s. There was one particular highway ramp where my automatic traction control ALWAYS engaged with my old tires, and so far never has with the Kumhos. I also used to experience more “skittering” loss of braking on bumpy roads. Very disconcerting. Much less so now.