Michelin's "fuel efficient" tires
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Des Moines
Michelin's "fuel efficient" tires
Is there any real truth to their claims that their new tires can save gas? I know that keeping your tires inflated properly will aid in fuel efficiency, but beyond that, I don't see how a tire on its own can make any difference in fuel economy.
Besides, even if there is something special about them, they would still have to be inflated properly for them to work.
I call snake oil.
Besides, even if there is something special about them, they would still have to be inflated properly for them to work.
I call snake oil.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,052
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From: Elkhorn, Wiscompton
after research, I see no proof provided directly from Michelin, in this day and age, with rising gas prices, declining job markets, and gullible Americans on a dire streak to find a better way to save fuel........obviously with others not caring, companies will try anything, and accept anything.
You know those stupid infomercials, for example, a handheld sewing machine, they show some stupid broad trying to sew drapes while they are still hung with a full sized machine.........same concept, those sold like absolute NUTS.
They are still new, so I imagine they will prove you right or prove to be sold under false claim.
You know those stupid infomercials, for example, a handheld sewing machine, they show some stupid broad trying to sew drapes while they are still hung with a full sized machine.........same concept, those sold like absolute NUTS.
They are still new, so I imagine they will prove you right or prove to be sold under false claim.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Denver
I looked at this recently because I needed new tires. LRRs increase mileage 1.5 to 4.5%, according to a State of California study/Wikipedia. So, yeah, pretty much snake oil. Take the middle number, 3%, apply it to a 15mpg truck driving 10,000 miles/year and you save $50/year with $2.50/gallon gas. Not much. Consumer Reports rates rolling resistance of tires.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,052
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From: Elkhorn, Wiscompton
I looked at this recently because I needed new tires. LRRs increase mileage 1.5 to 4.5%, according to a State of California study/Wikipedia. So, yeah, pretty much snake oil. Take the middle number, 3%, apply it to a 15mpg truck driving 10,000 miles/year and you save $50/year with $2.50/gallon gas. Not much. Consumer Reports rates rolling resistance of tires.
I'm starting to see a problem with it as well.
if a 15mpg truck got your calculation of only $50 savings a year, a 30mpg car would only get a $100 savings a year total, did they calculate this with a hybrid? if so, how is THAT fair to a consumer.
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2007
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I would like to see a side by side comparison with similar tires. I bet there wouldn't be much of a difference then. I bet they are comparing them to cheaper quality tires with more rolling resistance. Just my two cents...
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Elkhorn, Wiscompton
I agree.....
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: McKenzie River
Manufacturers HATE that kind of thing!.........looks bad when their spendy, upscale product perform no better or worse than the generic competition, cheapies.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 459
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From: Fayetteville, NC
lol, i bet they are high mileage tires as well......i suspect its just a harder rubber compound that has less rolling resistance.....i doubt very seriously they will save the money they are claiming.....i wouldnt want to rely on decent traction from those tires during wet conditions either....the harder the compound, the less traction they have.....thats why you can "cut" a racing tire with your thumbnail....super soft with tons of traction
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 111
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From: Denver
Suprisingly, according to Consumer Reports anyway, there's no correlation between rolling resistance and tread wear. No correlation between low rolling resistance and wet traction, dry traction, or noise. And a $165 Michelin has the same low rolling resistance and high (rated) treadwear as a $103 Uniroyal Larado. Size tested was 265/70R17.
$190 savings per year? Maybe for big trucks racking up lots of miles. A 10mpg truck running 25,000 miles/year would save $182 in gas with 3% LRRs. Assuming $2.50/gallon.
LRRs only make sense for really low gas-mileage vehicles. Truck fleet operators.
$190 savings per year? Maybe for big trucks racking up lots of miles. A 10mpg truck running 25,000 miles/year would save $182 in gas with 3% LRRs. Assuming $2.50/gallon.
LRRs only make sense for really low gas-mileage vehicles. Truck fleet operators.
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