Do Fuel Efficient Tires Work? And do They you Save Money?
Those considering fuel efficient tires should ask two primary questions prior to making a purchase --
1. Do fuel efficient tires work? After all, if their supposed increased efficiency isn't real and tangible, then what's the point?
2. Provided they work, do fuel efficient tires save you money? It's not uncommon in the tire industry for tires with a specialized purpose or function to come at a premium price. We'll look to determine if fuel efficient tires also come at increased cost, and if so, is that initial cost premium offset by the fuel savings over the life of the tire?
So firstly, do fuel efficient tires work?
While tires are definitely not the most influential factor when it comes to fuel economy, without any doubt tires do play a role. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, tire rolling resistance accounts for 4% of fuel usage at city speeds, and 7% at highway speeds.
As an extreme example, consider that deep tread and knobby off-road tires create significant rolling resistance on the road, and therefore decreased fuel economy. The engine and drivetrain have to overcome that significant tire rolling resistance, and that means more fuel expenditure.
At the opposite end of the spectrum are low rolling resistance/fuel efficient tires, which reportedly improve upon even standard road tire rolling resistance.
Fuel efficient tires commonly work to reduce rolling resistance by about 10%. But because tires are not the primary factor when it comes to fuel economy, that 10% reduction in rolling resistance does not translate to a 10% reduction in fuel usage. Instead a 10% reduction in rolling resistance results in a 1-2% reduction in fuel usage.
Current fuel efficient tires have advanced to the point where a 4-5% fuel usage reduction is reportedly possible (albeit perhaps not entirely probable).
Let's consider two current fuel efficient tires and their claims, and develop the prospective financial savings associated with each.
Goodyear Assurance CS Fuel Max
Goodyear claims that the Assurance CS Fuel Max saves 2,600 miles worth of gas over the life of the tires.
The 2,600 mile claim is based upon the expected life of the tire, which is 65,000 miles. Will you see 65,000 miles with a set? Let's assume for the sake of argument that you're driving Miss Daisy, and so you will.
Goodyear's test vehicle was a 2005 Honda Pilot EX, so we'll keep that variable consistent. The Pilot EX is rated at 17 mpg combined, expected range (full to empty) is 347 miles, and fuel tank capacity is 20.4 gallons.
The 2,600 mile gain equates to a savings of 7.49 fill ups, or 152.8 gallons. At the current average price of gas ($2.438/gallon), that is a savings of $372.52 over the life of the tires. Should gas prices increase back to what was the new norm -- around the $3/gallon mark -- that savings would increase to $458.40 over the life of the tires.*
But what about the initial price of the tire? Is there a fuel efficient tire "tax" in play?
For that same Honda Pilot EX the Goodyear Assurance CS Fuel Max is currently $120 per tire (via Tire Rack), while the average price for all possible Pilot EX Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season tires is $113.82. The fuel efficiency attributes of the Assurance CS Fuel Max therefore appear to be value added, but at no noteworthy initial cost premium.
So with all other considerations and variables aside (performance, comfort characteristics, etc.), in the case of the Honda Pilot EX the Goodyear Assurance CS Fuel Max would indeed be an economical tire option on the basis of increased fuel economy. Even if the full life of the tire was not realized, or if the vehicle was sold with partially used tires, the savings would be realized proportionate to the miles traveled because there is no initial cost premium to be offset. In fact, the only way a competing standard tire might claw some value advantage back is through additional mileage at the tail end of the treadlife. (The Assurance CS Fuel Max has a respectable treadlife warranty of 65,000 miles.)
Bridgestone Ecopia 422 Plus
The Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus claims to gain an extra 20 miles per tank. The 20 mile gain reportedly can be realized on a vehicle with a 400 mile range.
The Ecopia 422 Plus is a Grand Touring All-Season tire often fitted to coupes and sedans, so for this example we're going to jump over to a 2005 Honda Accord (6 cylinder engine).
The Accord is rated at 22 mpg combined, expected range (full to empty) is 376 miles, and fuel tank capacity is 17.1 gallons.
In the interest of thoroughness, the actual gain given the Accord's slightly less than 400 mile range would be about 18.8 miles per tank. So instead of 376 miles per tank, the Accord fitted with the Ecopia 422 Plus might allow for about 394.8 miles per tank; a gain of 5% fuel economy.
Given the range increase, the Accord should require about 2 less fill ups per year at 15,000 miles, which equates to a savings of $79.21 annually at the current fuel price. When (not if) fuel prices take a leap upwards, those gains will only increase.*
In the Grand Touring All-Season tire category, the average price per tire with Accord fitment is $91.21, while the Ecopia 422 Plus costs $97 per tire (via Tire Rack). So as with the fuel efficient Goodyear option, the cost premium of the fuel efficient Bridgestone tire as compared to alternative standard tire options is quite negligible.
And once again, even if the full life of the tire was not realized, or if the vehicle was sold with partially used tires, the savings would be realized proportionate to the miles traveled because there is no initial cost premium to be offset. The only way a conventional, less fuel efficient tire might reestablish some value advantage would be to outlast the fuel efficient Bridgestone. (The Ecopia 422 Plus is treadlife warrantied up to a healthy 70,000.)
1. Do fuel efficient tires work? After all, if their supposed increased efficiency isn't real and tangible, then what's the point?
2. Provided they work, do fuel efficient tires save you money? It's not uncommon in the tire industry for tires with a specialized purpose or function to come at a premium price. We'll look to determine if fuel efficient tires also come at increased cost, and if so, is that initial cost premium offset by the fuel savings over the life of the tire?
So firstly, do fuel efficient tires work?
While tires are definitely not the most influential factor when it comes to fuel economy, without any doubt tires do play a role. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, tire rolling resistance accounts for 4% of fuel usage at city speeds, and 7% at highway speeds.
As an extreme example, consider that deep tread and knobby off-road tires create significant rolling resistance on the road, and therefore decreased fuel economy. The engine and drivetrain have to overcome that significant tire rolling resistance, and that means more fuel expenditure.
At the opposite end of the spectrum are low rolling resistance/fuel efficient tires, which reportedly improve upon even standard road tire rolling resistance.
Fuel efficient tires commonly work to reduce rolling resistance by about 10%. But because tires are not the primary factor when it comes to fuel economy, that 10% reduction in rolling resistance does not translate to a 10% reduction in fuel usage. Instead a 10% reduction in rolling resistance results in a 1-2% reduction in fuel usage.
Current fuel efficient tires have advanced to the point where a 4-5% fuel usage reduction is reportedly possible (albeit perhaps not entirely probable).
Let's consider two current fuel efficient tires and their claims, and develop the prospective financial savings associated with each.
Goodyear Assurance CS Fuel Max
Goodyear claims that the Assurance CS Fuel Max saves 2,600 miles worth of gas over the life of the tires.
The 2,600 mile claim is based upon the expected life of the tire, which is 65,000 miles. Will you see 65,000 miles with a set? Let's assume for the sake of argument that you're driving Miss Daisy, and so you will.
Goodyear's test vehicle was a 2005 Honda Pilot EX, so we'll keep that variable consistent. The Pilot EX is rated at 17 mpg combined, expected range (full to empty) is 347 miles, and fuel tank capacity is 20.4 gallons.
The 2,600 mile gain equates to a savings of 7.49 fill ups, or 152.8 gallons. At the current average price of gas ($2.438/gallon), that is a savings of $372.52 over the life of the tires. Should gas prices increase back to what was the new norm -- around the $3/gallon mark -- that savings would increase to $458.40 over the life of the tires.*
But what about the initial price of the tire? Is there a fuel efficient tire "tax" in play?
For that same Honda Pilot EX the Goodyear Assurance CS Fuel Max is currently $120 per tire (via Tire Rack), while the average price for all possible Pilot EX Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season tires is $113.82. The fuel efficiency attributes of the Assurance CS Fuel Max therefore appear to be value added, but at no noteworthy initial cost premium.
So with all other considerations and variables aside (performance, comfort characteristics, etc.), in the case of the Honda Pilot EX the Goodyear Assurance CS Fuel Max would indeed be an economical tire option on the basis of increased fuel economy. Even if the full life of the tire was not realized, or if the vehicle was sold with partially used tires, the savings would be realized proportionate to the miles traveled because there is no initial cost premium to be offset. In fact, the only way a competing standard tire might claw some value advantage back is through additional mileage at the tail end of the treadlife. (The Assurance CS Fuel Max has a respectable treadlife warranty of 65,000 miles.)
Bridgestone Ecopia 422 Plus
The Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus claims to gain an extra 20 miles per tank. The 20 mile gain reportedly can be realized on a vehicle with a 400 mile range.
The Ecopia 422 Plus is a Grand Touring All-Season tire often fitted to coupes and sedans, so for this example we're going to jump over to a 2005 Honda Accord (6 cylinder engine).
The Accord is rated at 22 mpg combined, expected range (full to empty) is 376 miles, and fuel tank capacity is 17.1 gallons.
In the interest of thoroughness, the actual gain given the Accord's slightly less than 400 mile range would be about 18.8 miles per tank. So instead of 376 miles per tank, the Accord fitted with the Ecopia 422 Plus might allow for about 394.8 miles per tank; a gain of 5% fuel economy.
Given the range increase, the Accord should require about 2 less fill ups per year at 15,000 miles, which equates to a savings of $79.21 annually at the current fuel price. When (not if) fuel prices take a leap upwards, those gains will only increase.*
In the Grand Touring All-Season tire category, the average price per tire with Accord fitment is $91.21, while the Ecopia 422 Plus costs $97 per tire (via Tire Rack). So as with the fuel efficient Goodyear option, the cost premium of the fuel efficient Bridgestone tire as compared to alternative standard tire options is quite negligible.
And once again, even if the full life of the tire was not realized, or if the vehicle was sold with partially used tires, the savings would be realized proportionate to the miles traveled because there is no initial cost premium to be offset. The only way a conventional, less fuel efficient tire might reestablish some value advantage would be to outlast the fuel efficient Bridgestone. (The Ecopia 422 Plus is treadlife warrantied up to a healthy 70,000.)
We make no claim that the two tires analyzed herein are representative of fuel efficient tires as a whole, but it's clear given these examples that at least some fuel efficient tires offer real, tangible fuel benefits and savings at virtually no upfront cost premium.
If you're an accomplished hypermiler looking to eek out every last mpg, then fuel efficient tires will be a welcome addition to your repertoire. However, if you have a lead foot, a fuel efficient tire isn't the one-stop solution for your poor mileage results.
In summary, numerous variables influence fuel economy, and as stated, tires are not a primary factor. However, with driving habits and other fuel efficiency variables optimized, we believe that many fuel efficient tires are a sound buy and will result in financial savings over equally priced standard tires.
As with any other category of tire, not all fuel efficient tires are equal when it comes to efficiency and all other performance metrics. Be sure to conduct thorough research prior to purchasing because increased gas mileage with decreased comfort and/or performance is probably not a welcome exchange.
Related: Firestone Champion Fuel Fighter review.
*In the absence of independent fuel efficient tire vs standard tire test data, the data developed and provided by the respective tire manufacturers was used. Cynic or not, one has to believe that this manufacturer data represents the very best case scenario. Even still, if you can achieve just 75% of their reported gains, then fuel efficient tires remain a favorable economic decision.
If you're an accomplished hypermiler looking to eek out every last mpg, then fuel efficient tires will be a welcome addition to your repertoire. However, if you have a lead foot, a fuel efficient tire isn't the one-stop solution for your poor mileage results.
In summary, numerous variables influence fuel economy, and as stated, tires are not a primary factor. However, with driving habits and other fuel efficiency variables optimized, we believe that many fuel efficient tires are a sound buy and will result in financial savings over equally priced standard tires.
As with any other category of tire, not all fuel efficient tires are equal when it comes to efficiency and all other performance metrics. Be sure to conduct thorough research prior to purchasing because increased gas mileage with decreased comfort and/or performance is probably not a welcome exchange.
Related: Firestone Champion Fuel Fighter review.
*In the absence of independent fuel efficient tire vs standard tire test data, the data developed and provided by the respective tire manufacturers was used. Cynic or not, one has to believe that this manufacturer data represents the very best case scenario. Even still, if you can achieve just 75% of their reported gains, then fuel efficient tires remain a favorable economic decision.
|
LINKS & RESOURCES:
TIRE-REBATES.COM |
© COPYRIGHT MINIMUMTREAD.COM 2018. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMS OF USE, DISCLAIMER, AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY |