Trend of gas happy rubber

[The little red pill]

I wasn't too sure how to title this but that's the best I could come up with. Anyway, with the advent of the Goodyear Fuel Max tire, I couldn't help but think EVERY tire manufacturer is probably scrambling to come up with the next best, and cheaper, version of a tire to provide the best fuel economy (i.e. higher rated max PSI, lower rolling resistance, etc).
I'm guessing Kumho, Sumitomo, Hankook, and other value-priced manufacturers are soon going to follow suit with a better and cheaper tire. What's everyone's opinion on this?

[eTiMaGo]

if there's money to be made form it, it'll spread to other companies for sure...

[jkuchta]

To tell you the truth I'm kind of surprised it's taken this long. The manufacturers could have just adjusted the sidewall construction to ramp up the max pressure for better mileage and gotten something the marketing Dept. could have sold by now!

[aca72]

IMHO, Michelin is the best. For our stock 185/60R15, it's the Michelin Harmony.

http://www.tirerack.com/survey/SurveyComments.jsp?additionalComments=y&commentStatus=P&tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Harmony&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&partnum=86TR5HARMONYV2&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&tirePageLocQty=%26partnum%3D86TR5HARMONYV2

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

[Shroomster]

also "independent testing" will be used to prove how other tires are already on par with the fuel max and help to minimize the need to create a whole new lineup

[Yaris Hilton]

It'll be a few years before my Eagle LSs wear out and I have to worry about it.

[IllusionX]

huh... anything 700+ threadwear is a good fuel saver.

My friend has GoodYear Assurance on his honda accord.. 8 yeard and some 130000km, they are still good. lol

[07WYarisRS]

Most have taken their time with the Fuel economy tire designs.
its easy to have a tire with a compound so hard it lasts a wicked long time and less resistance to help fuel mileage, but they come at a huge cost of performance and traction.
An all season tire designed for MAX fuel mileage will suck as an all season tire. Compounds ant tire designs won't work well in wet or snowy/icy conditions.

then there is the ride factor, noise levels etc
it will take a lot of testing to come up with a decent tire that works well.

[SilverGlow]

I replaced my tires in February after driving 55,000 miles. My research pointed to the Michelin Harmony as one of the best for fuel savings. I got 4 new ones installed at Costco for $410 out the door. They even filled them with nitrogen, which bleeds out of tires slower then normal air. I keep them at 45 PSI, and I average about 39 MPG with 70% HWY miles without even trying. The difference over the factory installed Bridgestones is just 1 MPG however.

[The little red pill]

Most have taken their time with the Fuel economy tire designs.
its easy to have a tire with a compound so hard it lasts a wicked long time and less resistance to help fuel mileage, but they come at a huge cost of performance and traction.
An all season tire designed for MAX fuel mileage will suck as an all season tire. Compounds ant tire designs won't work well in wet or snowy/icy conditions.

then there is the ride factor, noise levels etc
it will take a lot of testing to come up with a decent tire that works well.

Good point. I didn't take that into account.

[yarismaris]

I use Michelin Harmonies too and love them. I keep mine at about 41psi. Is that high pressure safe? My tire guy told me that it is dangerous to keep them above what Toyota recommends, which is 35.

[Yaris Hilton]

No, it is not dangerous.

[SilverGlow]

I use Michelin Harmonies too and love them. I keep mine at about 41psi. Is that high pressure safe? My tire guy told me that it is dangerous to keep them above what Toyota recommends, which is 35.

It gets dangerous starting around 90 PSI....have fun.