Total lifetime cost for fuel and tires over 150,000 miles

I often make recommendations for replacement tires and I usually focus on the lifetime of a particular tire and the fuel savings it may produce. I have yet to perform a lifetime analysis of different tires over the expected vehicle life of 150,000 miles.

I decided to play with the numbers using a few popular LRR tires and one non-LRR cheap tire.

My calculations use the following constants:

Fuel cost: $3.80/ga
Total miles: 150,000
Mounting/Balancing/Disposal Fees: $100 per set of tires

I used the following tires in this rough analysis because I am fairly confident in their performance and mpg as compared to other models in this analysis.

Kumho Ecsta ASX: $268/set, 30,000 mile warranty, 48mpg
Continental ProContact EcoPlus: $324/set, 80,000 mile warranty, 49mpg
Yokohama AVID Ascend (T): $376/set, 85,000 mile warranty, 50mpg
*Michelin Energy Saver A/S: $366/set, 65,000 mile warranty, 53mpg

Assuming 150,000 miles you would need to purchase:

5 sets of Kumhos = $1,340 + $500 for mount and balance = $1,840
2 sets of ProContacts= $648 + $200 = $848
2 sets of Ascend= $752 + $952
3 sets of Energy Saver A/S= $1,098 + $300 for mount and balance $1,398

Fuel cost for each tire over 150,000 miles (150,000 / $3.80/ga). Mpg figures are not exact but are close enough for illustrative purposes.

Kumho Ecsta ASX (48mpg)=$11,875
Continental ProContact EcoPlus (49mpg)=$11,632
Yokohama AVID Ascend (50mpg)=$11,400
Michelin Energy Saver A/S (53mpg)=$10,754

Summary of total lifetime fuel and tire cost ranked lowest to highest:

1st. Michelin Energy Saver A/S=$11,550
2nd. Yokohama AVID Ascend=$12,352
3rd. Continental ProContact EcoPlus=$12,480
4th. Kumho Ecsta ASX=$13,715

Cost per mile:
Michelin Energy Saver A/S= 7.886 cents
Yokohama AVID Ascend= 8.160 cents
Continental ProContact EcoPlus= 8.285 cents
Kumho Ecsta= 9.143 cents

The difference between the highest lifetime cost tire (Ecsta ASX) and the lowest lifetime cost tire (Energy Saver A/S) is $2,165! This just goes to show that a cheap tire doesn't always pencil out in the long run. The Energy Saver A/S was somewhat close to the AVID Ascend but it is worth noting I assumed the lowest possible cost for the Michelin by adjusting the price using the $70 rebate they offer. Should that go away then tack on another $210 ($70x3). It is worth noting that the Energy Saver A/S is the least expensive tire to run (assuming the rebates) on a cost per mile basis. The reason the AVID Ascend did so well in this comparison is the lifetime miles chosen favored the long treadlife of the Ascend. Push the lifetime to 170,00+ miles and the Energy Saver A/S would be have performed even better because a 3rd set of Ascends would have to be purchased.

This analysis is a simple and rough exercise designed to get people to think of long terms finances and how tire choice can affect lifetime ownership costs. One could adjust the numbers for different tires or total lifetime mileage to determine costs that fit their needs and desires. One could also perform the same exercise for tire Plus sizing. Off the top of my head I would wager the cost of upgrading to 17s would cost well over $2000 over the life of the vehicle.

Once we get solid numbers for the Michelin Defender I will add it to the summary. I need to know how mpg compares to the others.

* Assuming Michelin $70 rebate used for each set of tires. A value worth $210 in this analysis.

**edit**

For the heck of it I am including a cost per mile estimate for upgrading to a 17" tire and basing the cost on a 3mpg loss compared to OE 15s. This assumes 47mpg and doesn't account for one tire being more fuel efficient than another since we don't really have that data. That being said it is a good bet to assume the EP422 is more fuel efficient than the Conti DWS. This should give you an estimate to see what you would spend to upsize your wheels as compared to the 15" wheel cost/mile.

Yokohama AVID Ascend ($668/set, 75,000mile warranty)= 9.109 cents/mile
Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 ($624/set, 65,000mile warranty)= 9.198 cents/mile
Bridgestone Turanza EL400 (OE tire, $680/set est 40,000mile)= 10.035 cents/mile
Continental ExtremeContact DWS ($456/set, 50,000mile warranty)=9.197 cents/mile
Michelin Primacy MXM4 ($542 w/rebate 55,000mile warranty)=9.252 cents/mile
Toyo Proxes A20 (OE tire $860/set est 40,000mile)= 10.485 cents/mile

 

I thought about that but the numbers are harder to understand although they are ultimately more helpful. I chose 150,000 because that is when many people sell due to the warranty running out. I think Toyota assumes this is the lifetime of the battery as well.

I'm out enjoying my birthday now so if you want to perform the calculations for me I can add them to my first post tonight.

 

I noticed that as well. The long tire life really makes a difference. I'll include the Kumho eco wing 100,000 mile tire later tonight.

As fuel prices rise obviously fuel economy will play a larger part.

 

It depends on how you drive, your environmental conditions and how many miles you drive each year. It seems like most Prius owners get close to the warrantied miles or more because they do not drive aggressively.

The best numbers have to go off of are the manufacture's warranty so that is what I used. I realize that these numbers are not exact. Some people may only pay $70 for mounting and balancing. This will shift the outcome a bit but not significantly.

One consideration is how many miles you drive each year. A person that drives only 10,000 miles a year would never wear out the tread on a 100,000 mile tire before it dry rotted and became unsafe.

 

I say go for it. We can make this as comprehensive as we like.

As for rounding errors. I simply pulled the prices off TireRack.com and did not apply tax. Their tires are sold as whole numbers i.e. $94/ea..

 

I meant for this to be a fairly timeless analysis without having to rely on stacking rebates or sales. Fuel and tire prices will vary but sales through specific retailers is simply beyond the scope of this thread.

 

At your price (not sure where you got $81.60 from)= 7.96 cents/mile

At Tirerack.com/Tirebuyer.com price 8.16 cents/mile

 

For the record, I was comparing the prices between TireRack and Tirebuyer.com and at least with a few of the tires like the Energy saver A/S, the price is the same after shipping. TireRack charges less per tire but they charge shipping ($40 to my area) and Tirebuyer charges more per tire but has free shipping. This could work well for someone who lives very far from a distribution center.

 

Oops, I forgot you didn't have a GenIII Prius (195/65/15). You were talking about the smaller 175/65/15. Thanks for the clarification.

 

Here is an interesting and related article from Bridgestone.

REAL Answers Ask the Doctor