Going with GY Fuel Max as a replacement tire

[2009Toyotoad]

After my Eagle LS wore out in less than 35k I was firmly against buying another set from GY. I did a liitle more research and found out the treadwear rating on the Eagle is about half that of the Fuel Max. So my frustration over what I thought was a lousy set of tires was misdirected.

I looked at some other brands and found just like the Fuel Max reviews were generally good but varied.

I had originally planned to replace both wheels and tires this fall with something else, but the lack remaining tread on the Eagle LS tires, advanced the replacement issue to ASAP. I've got the long road trip next month and I'd like the tires to be "broken in" before I drive unfamilar roads.

One spec I did notice on the Fuel Max compared to the Eagle LS was a narrower tread width. Fuel Max is 4.5" in the 185 60 15 size, whereas the Eagle LS were 5.7".Could this be part of the reason the MAX tire pressure is 51 psi on the Fuel MAx, but only 44 PSI on the Eagle LS?

[MUSKOKA800]

Higher pressure = less rolling resistance
Narrower tire = Less wind resistance

Both should help your fuel economy.
That said, higher pressures may ride rougher and narrower tread would look cheap. So there may be some trade-off's.
Keep us posted on your results & impressions.

[why?]

After my Eagle LS wore out in less than 35k I was firmly against buying another set from GY. I did a liitle more research and found out the treadwear rating on the Eagle is about half that of the Fuel Max. So my frustration over what I thought was a lousy set of tires was misdirected.

I looked at some other brands and found just like the Fuel Max reviews were generally good but varied.

I had originally planned to replace both wheels and tires this fall with something else, but the lack remaining tread on the Eagle LS tires, advanced the replacement issue to ASAP. I've got the long road trip next month and I'd like the tires to be "broken in" before I drive unfamilar roads.

One spec I did notice on the Fuel Max compared to the Eagle LS was a narrower tread width. Fuel Max is 4.5" in the 185 60 15 size, whereas the Eagle LS were 5.7".Could this be part of the reason the MAX tire pressure is 51 psi on the Fuel MAx, but only 44 PSI on the Eagle LS?

different max tire pressures depend on a ton of things. One thing I will say is thinner tires means less traction, which means more fun on public roads.

One of the main reasons i went to 14"s and stock width tires.

[malibuguy]

DON'T BUY THEM!!! They are a waste of money!

I had them on my xB (same size tire as a yaris) & they sucked & actually lowered my MPG, i eventully had to run them at 64psi to break even with what i was getting with the old eagle LS tires. Traction was shit...the only thing they had going for them is treadwear...they wouldn't go away i had almost 40K on them with still some meat left when i traded the box in for the Yaris

buy anything else

[Hershey]

Bridgestone Pro Contact Eco Plus are working well for the YARIS sedan w/ auto . Have been achieving 40+ m.p.g. last 3 tanks . They were $90 each before tax . There set at 35 p.s.i.. Car rides better and is a bit quieter .

[swidd]

...try Hankook Optimo H727... you will not be sorry.

[thepartsmancometh]

I deal with tires nonstop at work. I have seen no reason to buy FuelMax tires at all. Find one unmounted somewhere and feel the sidewall (not very confidence inspiring).

There are better, longer lasting tires for the same or less money.

[adrew]

They came on my '12 in 175/65/15 (H-rated, made in Japan). I've had a lot worse OEM tires, but I wouldn't buy these again.

They were great for the first 12k miles or so, then started to get slippery on wet roads. They're quiet and ride well but the sidewall is soft and steering response is slow. They also howl and squeal with any kind of slightly enthusiastic cornering. I will say that the '12 consistently gets 2-3 more MPG than our '11 that has Bridgestone RE92s on it, but that could be a result of refinements between the two different generations of cars.

I'm going to try and tolerate them for another year or so (they don't seem to be wearing at all!) and then switch to the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 (comes in 175/65/15, presumably since that is the size the base Mini Cooper wears).