Better MPG Tires Possible??

[WAnderstrom]

With today's fuel prices getting out of control, I have been searching like crazy for ways to improve my MPG.

It is great that electronic vendors are listening to our requests for improvement. For example, marco has software for smarty to help, and Edge has a little box out for the same thing.

I couldn't help but feel we could have the same influence on other areas in the industry. I feel that tires are another simple way to make some possible changes. As many of you know there aren't very many options for increasing tire sizes available in load E above stock size with out going wider(285 or295) or skinner(235/80R17). I think it is possible to push your favorite tire vendor to make a tire for our diesel market. I wrote Cooper and Michelin both requesting that they look into making a tire that is stock width 265 but in 80 or 85 wide with 17 rim. I also brought up rolling resistance, and treadware. This would help us all avoid having to regear to 3. 42, and fill our wheel wells a little better.

I am not really in a position to be buying the 19. 5 rims set ups that are becoming popular.

What do you all think about visiting your favorite tire website, hitting the contact button, and sending them an email with your suggestion? I did, Michelin was not interested in doing any research or making the size I requested availible anytime soon. Cooper however did email back a response that they would look into the matter. I suggested they do a few simple internet searches and they would find plenty of support for the matter. What do ya say, let's give it a shot!

 

[betterthanstock]

The thinner the rubber and fewer plies, the better the MPG.

You can decrease your tires' rolling friction by siping, and by running them longer when they are worn.



Also, set your toe-in to zero at normal driving weight. (Maybe you should stay in the cab while they align it, or drive it to the alignment loaded to simulate your normal load).



Cars like Prius, have poor directional stability due to zero toe-in, harsh ride due to hard skinny tires, and so on.

 

[rbattelle]

skinner(235/80R17).

Really? Who makes them in this size?

I'd love to see a 265/85. But I think the market is still too small.

Ryan

 

[CumminsBu]

I could go for a tire like 265/85. and save my 35" for when I have the extra $$$

The 235 80 I believe are General or the stock dually tires.

 

[Skydiver]

For mpg's run skinny tyres with lots of air.

I run 4 Goodyear G90's 7. 50x16 on the rear.

Tyres Goodyear G 90 - www.iTyre.com



10 ply and I vary the air from 32-80 psi depending on the load. They will throw some mud. I had them start hopping at 80 mph in Atlanta traffic. Was unloaded with 80 psi one night after delivering a camper. I saw death.

The front has to have a wider tire due to it sinking in soft dirt. 245-70-16 wrangler with kevlar.

 

[River-Runner]

The thinner the rubber and fewer plies, the better the MPG.

You can decrease your tires' rolling friction by siping, and by running them longer when they are worn.



Also, set your toe-in to zero at normal driving weight. (Maybe you should stay in the cab while they align it, or drive it to the alignment loaded to simulate your normal load).



Cars like Prius, have poor directional stability due to zero toe-in, harsh ride due to hard skinny tires, and so on.

What kind of improvement will siping provide for fuel mileage?

 

[WAnderstrom]

Really? Who makes them in this size?



I'd love to see a 265/85. But I think the market is still too small.



Ryan

They don't make that size, yet. My point was to reach the vast nationwide resource TDR has to offer, and hope that some of the people who view this post would take 2-3 minutes of their time to pick thier favorite tire manufacutures, and drop them an email. Like I said, it worked for the Chips and Programers, why not with tires? It certainly couldn't hurt to request they make a 265/85r17. I don't really want to put on the 235/85r17. They are goofy skinny on my stock rims, although they are the same height. I don't really want to spend the amount of money it takes to regear to 3. 42 either.

Will

 

[steved]

Really? Who makes them in this size?



I'd love to see a 265/85. But I think the market is still too small.



Ryan

235/80/17s were made in the pirelli STRa... I had a choice of those or the 265/70/17s. But that was almost three years ago...

 

[betterthanstock]

What kind of improvement will siping provide for fuel mileage?

I have not done it myself, but it just makes sense that if the tire tread becomes more flexible, and they say it runs cooler, and lasts longer, that it would mean less energy is wasted in tire scrubbing (which happens in all tires as they bend to conform to the road surface).



There are tons of postings all over the net. Here's one that says commercial tires last longer with siping. I think I will try it on my half-worn tires.



Tire Siping at Tire Factory

 

[jelag]

Guys, understand that fuel economy is based on a physics formula. Its based on weight, wind resistance and acceleration. I've spent several hundred hours with chassis dyno's years ago and had the chance to be taught by a very good mechanical engineer who was in SAE.

Reduce the wind resistance, by changing the shape or speed. Reduce the weight by lightening the vehicle, and reduce the acceleration by starting slower and taking 30-40% longer to get to speed... .

Understand that if the guys who designed the trucks, and engine systems we have could give us 2-3 more mpg they would... they are forced under federal law (C. A. F. E. ) to have a Corporate Average Fuel Economy. In the next couple of years the bar gets raised again... . What this means is that their vehicle sales have to hit a benchmark... as an example for every dually they sell then need to offset that poor fuel economy with the sales of 2 or 3 compacts... . or pay huge fines... what saves Cadillac is the small chevy compacts... .

I personally don't think you can chance fuel economy to pay for any improvement in under 100,000 miles... .

Tires need to be narrower, and harder, with higher pressure... this means less traction, and weight caring ability.

Engine software changes might give you a little this is like a balance scale, what you gain at one RPM you have to give up something at another... .

Acceleration is one place you can make a change with wind resistance... my wife can drive a car, or truck and always get 2-4 mpg better than I do... . she takes the time to get to speed slower, and always drives at or under the speed limit where I seem to blast ahead, and driver faster... ...

If it looks too good to be true, is most likely is... . like cow magnets on the fuel line, or the 100 mpg carb that the oil companies bought.....

 

[magothy1]

Oh mercy, the cow magnets, there was an old fisherman who got started on that in '78 or '79, when we thought fuel was expensive. He had me in tears laughing, I haven't heard it mentioned in the longest.

 

[steved]

One thing to note, and it probably doesn't mean much... don't forget to look to see if your tires have the fuel saver/mileage emblem... at one point, the manufacturers had to meet a requirement to place that emblem on a tire.



I think its a little triangle???

 

[JChamberlain]

Cooper also makes a 235/85-17
The Toyo 285/75-17 is a step in the right direction

 

[Regcabguy]

275-85-17

Let's push for 275-85-16-17's. Decent width and tall. E-rated.

 

[bighammer]

... and don't forget to get the fresh, pure Nitrogen filling.