Mileage decrease with Toyo M-55?

[VicR]

I've heard a few unconfirmed rumors of MPG decreases when changing to the Toyo M-55's. Anyone had this? I'm looking at new tires for the 99 2wd, and want something that will give it some legs in the snow as well as some decent wear. The Michelin's A/S are not cutting it.



-Vic

 

[24V-DSL]

20K on my 285's, and no mileage difference. I check every tank.



They are also looking like they'll be at least 50K life. Be aware that they do sing, as opposed to the Toyo Open Country tread, but it doesn't bother me. Also very good on very wet surfaces. I like 'um.

 

[JJW_ND]

Lots of variables to sort out....

Unless one got the same size tire in the M55 and had no other engine, drivetrain changes (odometer is truely reflective of what the wheel is traveling from tire to tire) and one compares seasonal mileage (average summer mileage) I would not bite that one tire was worse or better.



I am on my third set of M55. Ran three other sets of tires in addition to the M55, with the last being Yokohama Geolanders. Took a trip to BC from ND last fall just after I had the tires mounted (worse milage on new rubber). I used a GPS to get odometer (distance traveled) values as I stepped up a size (255/85R). I got the best milage I have ever gotten. Not sure I give the credit to the M55 or the nice driving conditions, increased timing, etc I have done in the last year or so. What I do know is there has been no decrease in mileage from the M55 between all the sets and different brands.



They are probably not the most highway friendly with the agressive tread they have but they are a hard rubber that lasts a long time even with aways running on hard roads.



jjw

ND

 

[VicR]

Thanks - thats probably the way I'm going to go. I was checking out a set on the neighbor's F-350 tonight. Thats a pretty tough looking tire. I hope it performs as good as it looks.



Now just trying to decide on 245 or 265



-Vic

 

[JGK]

No mileage decrease on mine. I like 'em. 285's. Get 'em siped for improved wet/ice traction and cooler running in the summer.



-Jay

 

[WBusa]

I think one reason why some folks report decreased MPG and others don't has to do with differences in tread design. Aggressively lugged treads, like the Toyos and most other M+S tires, have higher rolling resistance than do ribbed treads, and the effect on MPG of switching between the two is measurable (or so I've read). So, folks who switch from a ribbed tread to the Toyos (or any other M+S) would probably see decreased MPGs, whereas folks switching from some other lugged tread might not. That might account for the difference of opinion on this subject.



The strategy I've settled on is to run heavily lugged snow tires in winter, then switch to ribbed tires for spring/summer/fall. I don't do any real off-roading, so this works for me.

 

[jersey diesel]

Siped

JGK, What do you mean by "siped"? tks. Steve

 

[JGK]

The tire shop cuts slits across the tread about every 1/4 or 3/8 inch or so. This allows the tread to open up a bit when it contacts the road surface which provides better grip on ice and wet surfaces. The slits also help the tread run cooler in the summer and reduces wear. Generally costs about $11 per tire. They put it on a machine that rotates the tire as it cuts the slits. Takes only a couple of minutes per tire. If you have it done, make sure they cut it them nearly full depth of the tread. Some shops only go down about 1/3 of the tread depth.



On the flip side, if you do a lot of off-roading in rocky terrain, the slits can cause the tread to "chunk out", which is not something you want. But normal gravel/dirt roads and average 4-wheeling shouldn't be a problem. When I got mine the tire shop said they do it for the ranchers all the time on the M55s and they get great mileage and traction out of them.



-Jay

 

[Coalsmoke]

i love my m-55s as well. I opted not to have them siped as mine see rocks and trails now and then.