Low-rolling Resistance Tires Can Improve Fuel Efficiency
Low-rolling resistance tires are tires which are designed to improve fuel efficiency of a car by minimizing the energy wasted as heat as the tire rolls down the road. Approximately 5–15% of the fuel consumed by a typical car may be used to overcome rolling resistance. A 2003 California Energy Commission (CEC) preliminary study estimated that adoption of low-rolling resistance tires could save 1.5–4.5% of all gasoline consumption.
Depending on the specific technique and materials used by the manufacturers when building tires and wheel packages, tire life may be as good as conventional tires, and traction may also be as good. A Union of Concerned Scientists (http://www.ucsusa.org/) newsletter says “LRR auto tires also meet the same federal standards for treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance as regular tires.”
Here is a list of Consumer Report’s (http://web.consumerreports.org) tires that achieved their best rolling resistance rating. The tires at the top of the list are rated higher overall.
* Highly rated:
* All Season
* Michelin X Radial
* Michelin Agility Touring
* Michelin Harmony
* Toyo 800 Ultra
* Sumitomo HTR T4
* Middle rank
* Performance All Season
* Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus
* Continental ContiPremierContact H
* Least benefit
* All Season Ultra High Performance
* General Exclaim UHP
* Continental ContiExtremeContact
Below are the light duty tires (as reported by Consumer reports) achieving their best rolling resistance rating. Again, higher overall rated tires are closer to the top of the list.
* All-season
* Bridgestone Dueler H/T D684
* Michelin Cross Terrain
* Continental ContiTrac SUV
* BFGoodrich Radial Long Trail T/A
Followed by:
* All-terrain
* Continental ContiTrac TR
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