Snow tires = poor mpg - Toyota Yaris Forums

Bob_VT · 11-21-2008, 04:25 PM

Less than impressed with my new MPG since I mounted the blizzaks on the Yaris. I dropped about 4 MPG

Loren · 11-21-2008, 05:10 PM

Ah, but those little suckers will rip through some snow and ice, won't they?

(I've never used them, but I know folks who have... they're pretty amazing tires for what they're designed for)

Bob_VT · 11-21-2008, 05:31 PM

They are a great tire and with the hundreds of sipes.... they are grippy little devils. I am impressed with the highway attitude.

For the last few years I used DUnlop Graspics which were basically the same desing but the car they were on (Chev Impala) never suffered a MPG drop like this.

This weekend I will increase the air pressure to see if it helps.

Doug007 · 11-21-2008, 08:21 PM

I have a set of studless Toyos...haven't noticed a difference in mileage, but I'm sure they're not as grippy as the ones you have.

JnC · 11-21-2008, 09:03 PM

Makes sense. You need low rolling resistance for mpg, yet you have grippy tires for snow.

You might consider Nokians. Can't completely overcome the physics of the above, but they do advertise low rolling resistance for their WRG2 tire. More of an all-weather tire, it does have some good winter design traits.

If you do want an all out winter tire, try the Nokian Hakkapeliitta's. Some of those claim lower rolling resistance.

Bob_VT · 11-21-2008, 09:55 PM

I had Hakkapeliitta's on a car a while back and I was not impressed. They wore quick and did not do the job. Time will tell.

CTScott · 11-21-2008, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob_VT

Less than impressed with my new MPG since I mounted the blizzaks on the Yaris. I dropped about 4 MPG

I ran Blizzaks way back when on a Civic wagon. I also saw a significant MPG reduction during snow tire season. Besides the boat show like sipes, the Blizzaks are made of a very soft/sticky rubber that is awesome on ice and like velcro on dry pavement. The composition also makes them wear way quicker than any other tire I have ever run.

A buddy of mine runs Hankook Ice Bears on his VW Pasat and swears that they are as good as Blizzaks without the wear issue...

gid · 11-22-2008, 02:20 AM

we use studded COOPER Weather Master ST-2s all the way around on the '08 sedan . They were on the '08 Liftback last season and did a fine job . We've been averaging 37 m.p.g. since installed . That's not so bad . This includes colder weather and 87 octane SUNOCO that's a 10% ethanal winter blend . The tires are kept at around 35 p.s.i.. They dip to little under 33 p.s.i. on the colder days . Try to check them once a week due to variations in pressure from temperature changes .

06vitzRS · 11-22-2008, 03:21 AM

Since i put my winters on i've gotten the best mileage yet. Seems odd i know but I put 675km on my last tank. I usually get close to 600. Been running them with 34-38psi.
http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=1...akkapeliitta+R

nemelek · 11-22-2008, 06:45 AM

We are lucky to not really need snow tires in Denver. Once or twice a year we could use them, however the snow usually melts in a day or so. The road crews use so much magnesium cloride that black ice is never an issue. I worry about the long term effect the salt will do to the car. The ski industry is so big that the road crews work around the clock to keep the roads passable.

voodoo22 · 11-22-2008, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob_VT

Less than impressed with my new MPG since I mounted the blizzaks on the Yaris. I dropped about 4 MPG

I'm surprised you didn't like Nokians. That's the first negative review I've read on the brand, besides some people saying they didn't like the road noise.

I got my best tank ever with our Nokian rSI's on for the entire tank.

The Nokians do not get better mileage than our OEM all seasons, but the weather got unusually warm and we did virtually no short trips under 50 km on the tank where I got 54.7 us MPG on them.

I just got another tank of 51.2 us MPG on the Nokians with virtually all highway driving, but I did get stuck in a 1 hour traffic jam and had to deal with snow, ice rain, strong winds and temperatures below zero celsius for most of the tank.

Winter tires do not have to mean a large loss in MPG, but due to their nature there has to be some. Nokians are more expensive, but I'm sold on the quality of their product for future purchases.

GeneW · 11-22-2008, 08:24 AM

I have Kelly Springfield M&S tires. I notice minimal changes in MPG. Aside inflation I wonder if they're the same size as your summer tires?

Gene

marcus · 11-22-2008, 10:00 AM

are you sure you didnt drop mpg because of the cold weather....?

Bob_VT · 11-22-2008, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneW

I have Kelly Springfield M&S tires. I notice minimal changes in MPG. Aside inflation I wonder if they're the same size as your summer tires?

Gene

Same size

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcus

are you sure you didnt drop mpg because of the cold weather....?

Maybe but it's a blistering 20 F right now!

nemelek · 11-22-2008, 01:07 PM

For the brown cloud, the refineries here use MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butly Ether) in their winter gas blend. I have suspected for years that MTBE effected gas milage. http://www.fee.org/pdf/the-freeman/heberling0903.pdf

Bob_VT · 11-22-2008, 05:21 PM

MTBE was banned years ago in the gasoline in this area since it is related to cancer.

GeneW · 11-22-2008, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob_VT

Maybe but it's a blistering 20 F right now!

Slightly warmer here in PA. The folks who bitch about the cold are reminded by me that insects do not like cold weather and die off before they grow too large or too numerous.

We could really use some zero degree F days, maybe a week of them, to waste the mosquitoes and gnats in their winter hidey holes.

Gene

GeneW · 11-22-2008, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob_VT

MTBE was banned years ago in the gasoline in this area since it is related to cancer.

It's also a very "stable" chemical that leeches into water tables and never goes away. Ethanol is better since it's readily biodegradable, even by human beings.

Gene

11-21-2008, 04:25 PM	#1
Bob_VT View User's Garage Drives: 08 Yaris LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,704	Snow tires = poor mpg Less than impressed with my new MPG since I mounted the blizzaks on the Yaris. I dropped about 4 MPG __________________ some people are little slinkies. . . . .they are really good for nothing. . . .but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs. Come to the DARKSIDE..... We have candy

11-21-2008, 05:10 PM	#2
Loren What? Drives: 2007 Yaris LB Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Safety Harbor, FL Posts: 1,006	Ah, but those little suckers will rip through some snow and ice, won't they? (I've never used them, but I know folks who have... they're pretty amazing tires for what they're designed for) __________________ ----------------------- Loren@InvisibleSun.org -----------------------

11-21-2008, 05:31 PM	#3
Bob_VT View User's Garage Drives: 08 Yaris LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,704	They are a great tire and with the hundreds of sipes.... they are grippy little devils. I am impressed with the highway attitude. For the last few years I used DUnlop Graspics which were basically the same desing but the car they were on (Chev Impala) never suffered a MPG drop like this. This weekend I will increase the air pressure to see if it helps. __________________ some people are little slinkies. . . . .they are really good for nothing. . . .but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs. Come to the DARKSIDE..... We have candy

11-21-2008, 08:21 PM	#4
Doug007 View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris S Sedan Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: California Posts: 87	I have a set of studless Toyos...haven't noticed a difference in mileage, but I'm sure they're not as grippy as the ones you have. __________________ 2007 Silver Streak Mica Yaris S Sedan 5 Speed dojo TSUKAMI Shift Nob Brake Light Pulser Daytime Running Lights http://www.webelectricproducts.com/products.htm

11-21-2008, 09:55 PM	#6
Bob_VT View User's Garage Drives: 08 Yaris LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,704	I had Hakkapeliitta's on a car a while back and I was not impressed. They wore quick and did not do the job. Time will tell. __________________ some people are little slinkies. . . . .they are really good for nothing. . . .but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs. Come to the DARKSIDE..... We have candy

11-21-2008, 09:03 PM	#5
JnC Drives: 00 VW Golf TDI Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 20	Makes sense. You need low rolling resistance for mpg, yet you have grippy tires for snow. You might consider Nokians. Can't completely overcome the physics of the above, but they do advertise low rolling resistance for their WRG2 tire. More of an all-weather tire, it does have some good winter design traits. If you do want an all out winter tire, try the Nokian Hakkapeliitta's. Some of those claim lower rolling resistance.

11-22-2008, 02:20 AM	#8
gid Drives: '08 Yaris sedan , '08 Liftback Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Northeast Posts: 643	we use studded COOPER Weather Master ST-2s all the way around on the '08 sedan . They were on the '08 Liftback last season and did a fine job . We've been averaging 37 m.p.g. since installed . That's not so bad . This includes colder weather and 87 octane SUNOCO that's a 10% ethanal winter blend . The tires are kept at around 35 p.s.i.. They dip to little under 33 p.s.i. on the colder days . Try to check them once a week due to variations in pressure from temperature changes .

11-22-2008, 03:21 AM	#9
06vitzRS View User's Garage Drives: 06 Yaris HB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Alberta,Canada Posts: 43	Since i put my winters on i've gotten the best mileage yet. Seems odd i know but I put 675km on my last tank. I usually get close to 600. Been running them with 34-38psi. http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=1...akkapeliitta+R __________________ 4th year apprentice mechanic.

11-22-2008, 06:45 AM	#10
nemelek DWEED Drives: 3DR 2008 Metorite Metalic Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,161	We are lucky to not really need snow tires in Denver. Once or twice a year we could use them, however the snow usually melts in a day or so. The road crews use so much magnesium cloride that black ice is never an issue. I worry about the long term effect the salt will do to the car. The ski industry is so big that the road crews work around the clock to keep the roads passable. __________________ Making a decision without following it with an action is still a fantasy.

11-22-2008, 08:24 AM	#12
GeneW Banned Drives: 2008 Yaris Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,034	I have Kelly Springfield M&S tires. I notice minimal changes in MPG. Aside inflation I wonder if they're the same size as your summer tires? Gene Last edited by GeneW; 11-22-2008 at 09:59 AM.

11-22-2008, 10:00 AM	#13
marcus toyota View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris RS Blazed Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: toronto, canada Posts: 3,637	are you sure you didnt drop mpg because of the cold weather....?

11-22-2008, 01:07 PM	#15
nemelek DWEED Drives: 3DR 2008 Metorite Metalic Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,161	For the brown cloud, the refineries here use MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butly Ether) in their winter gas blend. I have suspected for years that MTBE effected gas milage. http://www.fee.org/pdf/the-freeman/heberling0903.pdf __________________ Making a decision without following it with an action is still a fantasy.

11-22-2008, 05:21 PM	#16
Bob_VT View User's Garage Drives: 08 Yaris LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,704	MTBE was banned years ago in the gasoline in this area since it is related to cancer. __________________ some people are little slinkies. . . . .they are really good for nothing. . . .but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs. Come to the DARKSIDE..... We have candy

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