Recently we started including fuel economy results from data collected during our road ride tests. We tested what I would expect to be the most fuel-effiecent (eco-friendly all season) and the least (Max Performance Summer). At one end of the spectrum are the tires that have been engineered from beginning to end to give the least amount of resistance to roll. Of course there are trade-offs on the performance side of the equation to acheive that. At the other end are some of the stickiest options. While these provide incredible levels of traction, tread life and ride quality tend to suffer a bit.
The results of the individual fuel consumption portion of those tests follow.
Comparing the most efficient in both categories (26.9 mpg vs 28.2), it is easy to see about 5% increase in fuel economy. While this difference is not much in a single household's eco footprint, the effect can be more significant when extended on a community, state, national or even global scale.
The results of the individual fuel consumption portion of those tests follow.
Eco-Friendly All-Season
| Tire Line | Test MPG* | Gallons/Year @ 15,000 Miles | % vs. Most Efficient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continental ProContact w/EcoPlus Technology | 28.1 | 533.8 | -0.36% |
| Goodyear Assurance featuring Fuel Max Technology | 28.2 | 531.9 | --- |
| Kumho eco Solus HM KR22 | 27.8 | 539.6 | -1.44% |
| Michelin HydroEdge with Green X | 27.8 | 539.6 | -1.44% |
| *Our evaluation used Linear Logic ScanGauge II automotive computers to record fuel consumption and Race Technology DL1 data loggers to record true distance travelled. | |||
Max Performance Summer
| Tire Line | Test MPG* | Gallons/Year @ 15,000 Miles | % vs. Most Efficient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continental ExtremeContact DW | 26.7 | 561.8 | -0.75% |
| Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric | 26.4 | 568.2 | -1.89% |
| Kumho Ecsta LE Sport | 26.4 | 568.2 | -1.89% |
| Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 | 26.9 | 557.6 | -- |
| *Our evaluation used Linear Logic ScanGauge II automotive computers to record fuel consumption, and Race Technology DL1 data loggers to record true distance travelled. | |||
Comparing the most efficient in both categories (26.9 mpg vs 28.2), it is easy to see about 5% increase in fuel economy. While this difference is not much in a single household's eco footprint, the effect can be more significant when extended on a community, state, national or even global scale.
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