Low Rolling Resistance Tires

Interesting. I wonder why some of obvious Low RR tires like Ecopia, Energy Saver, True Contact, and Avid Ascend are missing from the list. They have been around for a long time.

 

2003 does feel a bit outdated.

 

lol... If you're looking for a new cell phone, it makes perfect sense to see what the reviews say about the latest in cell phone technology in 2003 right? Maybe it's the same for tires...

But more to the point Ecopia and Michelin LRR tires are the highest rated for more than a 1/2 dozen years. Ecopia is a way better price for slightly less mpg.

 

The trick to these kind of Google searches is to click "tools" and then click the drop down menu "time" and then click "past year" so you exclude all the older results... Here's a link that may help: Buyer's Guide: The 10 Best Fuel-Efficient Tires and Low Rolling Resistance Tires - AutoGuide.com

 

Yea, I noticed that... I tried doing an image search for a chart but didn't search long enough using that method. But keep searching and tweaking keywords and modifying search tool and you'll get there.

 

Because I couldn't find all this info in one place online.. I just spent a few hours making this comprehensive but manageable guide:

Vehicle tire numbers, letters and their meanings:

Vehicle Type:

P = Passenger cars, light trucks, SUVs, and vans.

LT = Light trucks (for heavier loads or to pull trailers)

ST = Special Trailer (for trailers as the name implies)

T = Temporary (donut spare smaller type.. sprinkles please)


Construction Type:

R = Radial (1950s and 1960s worldwide, & in the USA in the 70’s)

D = Diagonal also known as “Bias” ply tire (older type)

B = Belted-Bias ply tire (see * below for more)


Load index:

70 / 75 / 80 / 85 / 90 = + -750 / 850 / 1000 / 1135 / 1325 lbs respectively


Speed rating:

Q,R,S,T,U,H,V = 100 - 149mph (in approximately 6mph increments)


Tread depth:

New tires typically start with a tread depth of 10/32" to 12/32", with some off-road tires topping 15/32"


Rolling Resistance:

RR seems to be both directly proportional to traction.. and inversely proportional to better gas mileage, as well as longevity or tread-wear longevity. Lower means better gas milage, higher means more performance in general. **


UTQG:

UTQG or UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADE is a series of (3) tire metrics as listed below:


Tread-wear:

800 = 8 times longer wear than the index baseline standard of 100


Traction:

C to B to AA (for worst to best stopping on wet surfaces)


Temperature: (resistance to heat generation for a half-hour run)

C = at 115mph

B = between 100 and 114mph

A = below 100 or minimum performance.

Weight:

For the example P185/65/15 Radial tire size above, it seems 17 to 22 lbs seems to be a normal range found. And because every pound of rotating weight can equal two pounds of stationary weight, this is a specification of at least passing consideration, in my opinion.


Footnotes:

*Radial tires result in lower fuel consumption and have longer tread life. They have a larger contact patch or footprint on the road, providing better traction and handling. Radial tires cost more than comparable bias-ply tires, but the extended tire life and fuel savings makes using radials the more cost-effective choice.

Classic car owners and trailers where performance may be overruled by other considerations such as original feel and where performance or fuel efficiency may not matter as much.

** For the user, the choice is between a lower RR for saving up to about 30% in gasoline costs, and tire longevity..

and and a higher RR for better performance. (Basically, get a low RR if you drive a lot on the highway, as opposed to winding roads. With some brief advantages in material innovations which could offer both over other tires for a period.)

*** About UTQG:

Each tire is subjected to a series of government-mandated tests for performance. These grades are assigned by each tire maker to its own products. But because of variations in testing procedures, they should not be understood to be absolutely exact between different company brands of tires. Still, it’s likely that they are close enough for most comparisons. This may be where companies like consumer reports, if their testing is done well.. can help to verify real world results.