While responding to an RV forum question on tire performance for Class-A size tires, I found a potentially very useful web site for those in the market for new tires for Class-A RVs i.e. 22.5" sizes.
The EPA has a program called SmartWay that many may not be aware of. This program identifies tires that can provide better fuel economy than tires not on the list.
Here is the web site with the tire brand and design name of tires that are certified as meeting the minimum requirements of this regulation. Being on this list vs not being on the list is about the only tool available to tire owners to compare tires where claims have been made about improved fuel economy.
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Interesting.
ReplyDeleteHow legitimate is the "better mileage" argument really?
Is there or can there be a meaningful difference in mileage running different tires?
Outside of running sticky race tires or aggressive tread off-road tires or things like that of course.
Here is a quote from one report. At 6 mpg, one tractor/trailer will consume 16,667 gallons annually when driving 100,000 miles on standard tires. At 6.2 mpg, the same rig with fuel-efficient tires will consume only 16,339 gallons of fuel – a savings of 328 gallons per year per tractor/trailer. For those 100 rigs, that’s a savings of 32,800 gallons of fuel. With diesel at $3.90 per gallon, the savings going directly to the fleet’s bottom line is $127,920."
ReplyDeleteNow this savings is based on a fleet but they are suggesting a conservative 2% fuel savings. I am never happy with talking about MPG savings as that is just too small for many to consider meaningful. I prefer converting the improvement to $/Gal at the pump. So if you are paying $3.00 a gal 2% savings translates to getting fuel for $2.94. Only you can decide if saving 6¢ a gal is meaningful.