Going with GY Fuel Max as a replacement tire - Toyota Yaris Forums

2009Toyotoad · 05-17-2011, 02:35 PM

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 · 05-17-2011, 03:43 PM

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? · 05-17-2011, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

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 · 05-18-2011, 08:44 AM

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 · 05-18-2011, 12:02 PM

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 · 05-18-2011, 01:11 PM

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

thepartsmancometh · 05-18-2011, 09:11 PM

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 · 09-23-2013, 04:14 PM

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).

05-17-2011, 02:35 PM	#1
2009Toyotoad Drives: 2009 Yaris 3dr Join Date: May 2009 Location: California Posts: 135	Going with GY Fuel Max as a replacement tire 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?

05-17-2011, 03:43 PM	#2
MUSKOKA800 Drives: '08 Yaris Sedan, Aero Package Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,720	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. __________________ TRD Upgrades: 18" Wheels wrapped in 215/35/18 PZero's, Sportivo Shocks/Struts, Lowering Springs, Swaybar, Axle-Back Exhaust, Oil Cap, Rad Cap, Signage. Aftermarket Goodies: Piggies SS, K&N Drop-In, Blitz S/C, DC Header, NST Pulley) Toyota Options/Accessories: Sport Pedal Covers, Sport Shift Knob, Ipod Interface, Summer Mats, Winter Mats, Cruise Control, Auto-Dim Mirror, Echo steelies with winter boots.

05-18-2011, 08:44 AM	#4
malibuguy Obsessed with 1.5L Drives: '10 PW Yaris Sedan Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Westminster, MD Posts: 907	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 __________________ -Greg...the Exhaust Freak. -10 PW sedan 107whp/110wtq, full exhaust, suspension bits, TRD LSD -06 Highlander 3mzfe Limited AWD -82 Malibu, 1uzfe swap -97 Tercel coupe, 1nzfe/4.31 -96 Tercel coupe, Turbo 5efe, autoX -96 Tercel 4dr

05-18-2011, 12:02 PM	#5
Hershey Drives: 08 Yaris sedan auto / Fit auto Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: northeast Posts: 2,897	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 . Last edited by Hershey; 05-18-2011 at 11:01 PM.

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05-18-2011, 01:11 PM	#6
swidd Drives: Yaris HB Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Central Alabama, GOD BLESS AMERICA Posts: 755	...try Hankook Optimo H727... you will not be sorry.

05-18-2011, 09:11 PM	#7
thepartsmancometh Drives: '08 LB, '07 WRX Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: midwest Posts: 187	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.

09-23-2013, 04:14 PM	#8
adrew Drives: '12 L 3-door 5-speed Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 26	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).