Goodyear Fuel Max Tires

[Sodium Duck]

I'm assuming these are just like any other low rolling resistance tires, I doubt there's anything special.

Does anybody run low rolling resistance tires here?

mms://stream.goodyear.com/pr/FuelMax_ProductDemo_v4.wmv

The video is neat. I found it on the commercial side of their site so it deals with big rigs, but there are interesting demonstrations with the rubber used in the tire.

[anonymous user]

You know what would be good? MAybe a poll showing which tires hypermillers are using, and the sizes.

[Sodium Duck]

What should the choices be? I don't know enough about tires to make that up, but I'll add it if you give me the choices.

[1stToyota]

You know what would be good? MAybe a poll showing which tires hypermillers are using, and the sizes.

And the mileage that you're getting out of a set of tires, with about 3/32nds tread remaining; mileage, not mpg.

Running my stock Goodyears still. Almost 16K miles and just over 8/32nds remaining on all 4 tires.

[1stToyota]

What should the choices be? I don't know enough about tires to make that up, but I'll add it if you give me the choices.

Yokohama, Michelin and Cooper offer some very good tires for my Yaris: P185/60-15

[BailOut]

And the mileage that you're getting out of a set of tires, with about 3/32nds tread remaining; mileage, not mpg.
If that's in place then the owner's driving conditions and local weather patterns should be polled as well. Folks living in the Great Plains will have longer tire life than someone that drives twisting hills or mountains, and someone that lives in an area with more consistent temperatures will get better longevity than someone that lives in an area with large thermal deltas.

A common tread measurement system would need to be in place as well... perhaps the quarter test.

[aclark246]

I'm curious about which all-season tires the hypermilers use as well since it's about that time for me to replace my tires. I'm a little turned off by goodyear after the eagle oem tires, but if the Fuel Max's turn out to be alright I could get over my bias. I'm looking at yokohama avid trz right now, (I think that's what you use BailOut?)

I've also heard on the grape vine that all-season nokian wr's have low rolling resistance while still maintaining respectable traction when the winter months roll around.

[BailOut]

I'm looking at yokohama avid trz right now, (I think that's what you use BailOut?)
Yes, but there are many out there that will work just as well. I went with the tread wear rating, user reviews and pricing.

[aclark246]

Yes, but there are many out there that will work just as well. I went with the tread wear rating, user reviews and pricing.

Naturally I've done my own outside research and took into account my region/climate. From what I can see and what is easily available to me I've broken it down to the yokohamas or pirelli p4 all seasons. I just figure that if you would trust them on your mountain commute, they would probably be fine for my needs. (Outside of my own research, I trust your judgement)

[BailOut]

Thank you for the compliment, aclark246. :smile: Pirelli tires tend to be on the softer side so I would select the Yokohama over them. And yes, I do trust them. They have gotten me out of two nasty jams on the mountain, once allowing me to totally escape (while the 2 cars behind me and 1 coming uphill did not) and the other time allowing me to to avoid becoming the 4th car in a 3 car downhill accident, eating a snow wall instead of oncoming traffic and avoiding everyone in my lane.

[1stToyota]

If that's in place then the owner's driving conditions and local weather patterns should be polled as well. Folks living in the Great Plains will have longer tire life than someone that drives twisting hills or mountains, and someone that lives in an area with more consistent temperatures will get better longevity than someone that lives in an area with large thermal deltas.

A common tread measurement system would need to be in place as well... perhaps the quarter test.

:sigh:

Or just keep it simple:

Hi, I bought this tire, I run this psi, and I'm gettin near the tread wear bar (3/32nds), here's how many miles I got out of the set.

A lot less simplified than your $120.00 starter theory. You figured wholesale DIY average, only. What about the non-DIYer, wrecker fee, labor, retail pricing, lodging, a person living in NYC won't pay the same price as the person living in Little Rock, etc...those adjustments need to be added in for any that didn't decide to DIY.

[aca72]

I commend Goodyear for marketing FE tires but Michelin has been on top of the game ever since.

http://www.michelinman.com/green/

Some chit-chat at BITOG regarding Fuel Max tires...

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1456583&nt=2&fpart=1

[Sodium Duck]

I wish Tweels would just come out already. How long can it possibly take to devlop, god?!


http://www.gizmag.com/pictures/3603_31080615606.jpg

[Shroomster]

they're not going to come out because of the practicality of them SD.....thats the only thing holding them back.....

[Sodium Duck]

Damn it all.

[Shroomster]

I wanted a set back in 2000 or so when i first heard of them..... :(

[anonymous user]

I'll start this off:
Well, i don't have low-rolling ressistance tires, but performance tires. I auto-x this car a few times a year, and wanted them for that. Hankook R-S2 195/50/15's. I drive this car 12-13k miles a year. We get approximately 50-70 in. of rain a year, and i probably do 70% city/ 30% hwy driving. Also, i commute over a 2300 ft. elevation mountain range daily. I always wondered what my mileage would be like if i lived on the plains, and never had to travel over a mountain. Probably 40's average. OH well, not much traffic for me atleast.

[Adriaan]

i got Vredestein hi-trac which is amazing in the wet and not bad in the dry. It does have low-rolling resistance it helps with the fuel mileage. Check out this web site on test for a set of popular tires in europe. I helped me choose mine! but also depends on what type of tire you want for the dry or wet.



http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/total_tyre_guide/212628/the_total_tyre_guide.html

[The little red pill]

I've already decided on the next tires "or shoes" for Bubbles. I did a search on Tire Rack with decending UTQG "treadwear" and with the best price. The results were the same as BAIL OUT indicated. Yokohama Avid TRZ.
Bubbles is very happy about getting his new shoes, but I told him that he needs to wear out his Goodyear LS's first!

[aclark246]

Bubbles is very happy about getting his new shoes, but I told him that he needs to wear out his Goodyear LS's first!

That won't take long...:frown:

Hopefully I'll be picking up the Avid TRZ tires next weekend so I can give you a heads up on any immediate FE change from the LS's. (the temp and my commute shouldn't change that much over a week so any change will probably be due to tires, for good or for ill.)

i got Vredestein hi-trac which is amazing in the wet and not bad in the dry. It does have low-rolling resistance it helps with the fuel mileage. Check out this web site on test for a set of popular tires in europe. I helped me choose mine! but also depends on what type of tire you want for the dry or wet.


Have you used them in the snow or do you have dedicated snow tires? just curious.

[06vitzRS]

In the summer i have high performance tires and 17 inch rims. FE is in the crapper. In the winter i run stock size 15s with Nokian Haka R's. Since purchasing the car i have gotten the best mileage with the winters on.
http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=11949&group=1.01&name=Nokian+Hakkapeliitta+R

[1stToyota]

This is the tire I'll probably go with. Really smooth and quiet ride. Cooper CS4 Touring T (780 AA)

http://www.coopertires.com/FI_Uploads/products/tires/enlarge/CS4_T_Rated_Tread.jpg

2nd choice: TireRack's #1 pick (Pirelli P4 760 AB)
3rd choice: TireRack's #2 pick (Yokohama Avid TRZ 700 AB)

:clap:

[enkid]

Yesterday I bought a set of the GY Fuelmax tires. These tires say max side wall pressure 51psi. I'll report any noticeable difference over the OEM tires which were GY Eagles. Those ran for 76300 miles exactly and were just getting to the tread wear markers. My average MPG over the life of the tires was 49.8. I kept the tires between 48 and 50 psi. The Eagles were atrocious in the snow but lasted a lot longer than any tires I've ever had on any car.

[aclark246]

Yesterday I bought a set of the GY Fuelmax tires. These tires say max side wall pressure 51psi. I'll report any noticeable difference over the OEM tires which were GY Eagles. Those ran for 76300 miles exactly and were just getting to the tread wear markers. My average MPG over the life of the tires was 49.8. I kept the tires between 48 and 50 psi. The Eagles were atrocious in the snow but lasted a lot longer than any tires I've ever had on any car.

WOW! You managed 76k on the OEM tires in Rhode Island? I'm a 35k and they are already worn down, (granted I purchased it used at 21K, but still...) I live and commute in RI and MA too so it can't be the region...I'm really curious as to why mine wore down so quickly.

Looking forward to your comments on the Fuelmax!:thumbup:

[Sodium Duck]

Ditto, that'll be interesting to see. Do you have a fuel log you can post?

[enkid]

My first impression of the Fuelmax tires is disappointing. I'm comparing them to GY Eagles at the end of their life, pumped up to about 50PSI. The old tires were probably at their best rolling resistance because of their age. The new ones, probably the worst rolling resistance in their life because they're new. It has been cool and windy which makes it hard to judge, but it seems that my glides decay a little more quickly now. The rolling resistance is noticably better when turning. At low speeds the ride feels more precise. At high speeds, probably because of the electric steering and less rolling resistance, I'm feeling more of a tendency to oversteer (or understeer less, I don't know) The squirlyness this car gets at highway speeds when hit with side winds and turbulence seems to be a little worse....but it's hard to tell - it has been windier than usual too.

The tires feel way different and I'm just getting to know them. They may have qualities I may need to learn to take advantage of.

[Sodium Duck]

Cool, keep us updated.

[enkid]

Rolling resistance seems to have improved a little after about 400 miles.
Impossible to drive a straight line at highway speeds...there is a bias away from straight, pulling left and right. Constantly correcting requires a lot of concentration. It borders on being dangerous. If an alignment doesn't fix it, I will want to return the tires.

[aclark246]

Rolling resistance seems to have improved a little after about 400 miles.
Impossible to drive a straight line at highway speeds...there is a bias away from straight, pulling left and right. Constantly correcting requires a lot of concentration. It borders on being dangerous. If an alignment doesn't fix it, I will want to return the tires.

EHHHHH thats not good, I'll be waiting for your alignment too haha:thumbup: That should probably fix the problem though, at least I hope it does...

Thanks again for keeping us updated and letting us all learn from your experiences! (good or bad)

[1stToyota]

Rolling resistance seems to have improved a little after about 400 miles.
Impossible to drive a straight line at highway speeds...there is a bias away from straight, pulling left and right. Constantly correcting requires a lot of concentration. It borders on being dangerous. If an alignment doesn't fix it, I will want to return the tires.

Before you waste $$$ on an alignment you wouldn't want to consider this, but try dropping tire pressure to 32psi...it's just a theory that I have about the right size foot print contacting the pavement as being a good thing for handling and grip, more so than the stiffer sidewall.

[enkid]

I was out getting an alignment when you posted that....during this past week I tried 32, 42 and 51 PSI. The sidewall says max 51 PSI. Toyota says 32. It was noticeably worse at 51.

The tow-in was way out of spec - was actually a tow out, so the car was always trying to enter a turn. The printout from their alignment jig shows before/after numbers. I haven't taken it out on the interstate yet.

[Yaris Hilton]

I know mine is a bit more wander-prone and gust responsive (as well as more responsive generally) with the sidewall maximum pressure in the stock Eagle LS tires.

[1stToyota]

I don't know if it's because I grew up riding motorcycles and know what side winds can do to you, or if it's because I'm a freak that actually likes running 32psi but I really don't notice strong winds giving me a problem when I'm in the Yaris.

[Yaris Hilton]

Oh yeah, I'm a longtime cyclist and motorcyclist, too. A Yaris is stable as a rock compared to a two-wheeler. Even with sidewall max pressure.

[hatchbackkid82]

.

[enkid]

The tires were fine after alignment. Superior to the OEM Eagle LS in every way. I *think* the main difference as a fuel saver is that they're made to be able to be run safely at higher pressure.The sidewall pressure rating is higher. The rolling resistance seems to be about the same as my old tires were at 32, 45 and 50PSI, except when turning - the new tires are much better. GY's wet dry and snow traction ratings and their "comfort" rating for this tire are much better than those they give for the Eagle LS. I concur that they're smoother and quieter, and the handling, especially in curves, is a lot better.

[enkid]

Driving straight on dry pavement these tires have the same or maybe slightly (very slightly) worse rolling resistance than my old ones at the same pressure, summer/late spring temperatures. After several rainy days over several tanks I can say these tires have much less rolling resistance than the old tires when wet. Rainy days no longer keep me from getting 50MPG. I wonder how they'll be next winter.

[aclark246]

Hmm that is interesting about the rolling resistance dry/wet but great for rainy days. We sure seem to be having a lot of them over here...

Thanks for the updates enkid!

[enkid]

I'm saying - dry compared to dry, while rolling straight, in mid 60's F average temperatures, the new and old tires have about the same rolling resistance.

Wet compared to wet, in mid 60's F average temperatures, the old tires had a much higher increase in rolling resistance than the new ones do.

[roadrunner]

So how many miles do you now have on the new tires?

[enkid]

Not sure, about 2000 miles give or take a few hundred...

[enkid]

Winter update.... 15000+ miles, tires at max sidewall (51psi). Good comfortable ride, steering very precise. Rolling resistance a lot better than older tires in cold weather. I guesstimate 5 MPG cold weather improvement for a 45 mile mostly highway trip vs. Eagle GT tires.

[enkid]

These tires are surprisingly good in the snow...better than I expected.

[gonzo452001]

I put a set of gfg's traction ta's on my yaris 35lbs and they killed my mpg can hardly get 40 mpg was getting 45 and 46 in warm weather going to buy a set of wheels and some better tires this spring

[YarisSedan]

Winter update.... 15000+ miles, tires at max sidewall (51psi). Good comfortable ride, steering very precise. Rolling resistance a lot better than older tires in cold weather. I guesstimate 5 MPG cold weather improvement for a 45 mile mostly highway trip vs. Eagle GT tires.

Isnt that a really harsh ride running at max sidewall pressure.

[YotaYaris]

I notive a HUGE difference between 34psi(what they put in at the tire shop) and 40-42psi(what I inflate them to once I get home). It is not a bad ride, but noticeably more firm.

I could only imagine 50psi must feel like rolling on solid rubber tires with no air needed : )

[BailOut]

Isnt that a really harsh ride running at max sidewall pressure.
I run anywhere from max sidewall to 60 PSI, and while the ride is definitely more firm than at the door pressure it isn't "harsh" at all. When driving through switchbacks in the mountains 32 PSI would actually allow for sidewall roll, while higher pressures maintain the sidewalls.

[1stToyota]

I run anywhere from max sidewall to 60 PSI, and while the ride is definitely more firm than at the door pressure it isn't "harsh" at all. When driving through switchbacks in the mountains 32 PSI would actually allow for sidewall roll, while higher pressures maintain the sidewalls.

While generating a much smaller footprint, fact...tires at the factory recommended pressures, that's where the nice cushy ride and shorter stopping distances come into play, and actually safer handling; good alternatives to just getting maximum fuel economy, imo.