Suggestions for all season tires

H,

Attached is my carefully analyzed MPG data comparing the OE integrity, Michelin MXV4+ (no longer available), Nokian WR, and two sets of Nokian WRg2 tires on my 2004 Prius. Note that all 4 replacement tires got better MPG than the Integrity tires at 42/40 PSI.

Jeff

 

I run my Nokians at 42f/40r as I have all tires on my Prius. The Nokians are rated safe to 51 psi cold air pressure. Note that all new tires will get an apparently lower MPG than worn tires as they have a larger diameter till worn down. This accounts for a misreading of MPG by about 0.5/24 or 2%. The other factor to look at is that not all tires have the same revolutions/mile even if they are the same size and this also impacts your MPG measurements.

Just an additional note. The Nokian WRg2 tires come in three varieties: T-rated, H-rated and Run-flat. I buy h-rated as they are stronger tires. The run-flat versions of ANY tires will get very poor MPG.

JeffD

 

A little late in the discussion:

With our previous second gen Civic Hybrid we were alternating between Bridgestone Ecopia EP20 (3 season tire) and Nokian WRG2 (winter tire, on separate steel rims). There was a definite downturn in mpg with the WRG2. Obviously winter mileage suffers for multiple reasons, but transitioning from the last EP20 tank to first WRG2 tank there was a definite drop.

Just seat-of-pants I'd say 5~10 percent. Our son still has the car, and when I start reminding him about it being snow tire time, he wants to delay install, citing poorer mileage.

They're a softer rubber compound, fairly agressive tread, comes with the territory. A good, sure-footed tire though.

 

Mendel,

Were both tires (Wrg2 and EP20) the same size? You have to correct for the revolutions/mile of each tire to compare them and that spec changes as the tires wear. Revs/mile is even different for the same size (eg: 195/65HR15) tires but different models/brands.

JeffD

 

Sorry, meant to mention and forgot: yes, they were both 195/65R15. The EP20 were on the OEM aluminum (pizza plate) rims, vs the WRG2 on steel rims. So marginally more aerodynamic.

Something I noticed: if I was in our garage, wanting to roll the car out into the driveway without startup, in Neutral: with the EP20 just releasing the parking brake would usually get the car rolling, with our slightly sloping slab. With the WRG2 you needed to put a put on the floor and push (a la Flintstones ).

I'd say the WRG2 came closest to matching the EP20 on the highway, sustained higher speed runs. In stop-and-go slow speed not so good. It seemed like they had increased "inertia", reluctance for that intial getting going.

 

Mendel,

WRg2 (new 195/65R15) revs/mile = 831 - From Nokian brochure
EP20 (new 195/65R15) revs/mile = 833 - From TireRack

So when new MPG overstates the EP20 MPG by only 0.25% vs the WRg2 which is only a small amount.

The difference in MPG due to more revs/mile at tread life end is about 2% (0.5 inches/25inches) which is a noticeable difference.

One other factor, The Nokians (T or H-rated, I only buy H-rated tires for safety) have a sidewall PSI rating of 51, whereas the EP20 (S-rated) sidewall rating is 44 psi so you should inflate the Nokians to a little higher pressure to make the comparison. It does make a difference.

JeffD

 

Just bought my second set of cooper cs4 touring tires, T rated, 80k. Very quiet and I obviously been pleased with the traction in Illinois snow. Oh yes 85. per tire plus the usual stuff and my place has lifetime spin balance and tire rotation! I did consider the Defender though but it was not worth the extra 200. and the gamble that the tire would not be as quiet.

 

The only problem with the CS4 is they are not very fuel efficient.