Dangerous_Dan
Well-known member
Rolling resistanve VS inflation
Ernie:
I suspect that your assumptions about rolling resistance VS inflation are not correct. You should check the link below. Their study would indicate that inflation, while not inconsequential, is not as much of a factor as the tire itself.
The quote below gives a good summary"
"For example in Figure 3 below, going from the tire with the highest
rolling resistance to the tire with the lowest rolling resistance within this test group can improve highway mileage by about 3.9 mpg, or about 12%, even at 25 psi, which is typically lower than the recommended tire pressure. On the other hand, going from 20 psi (low inflation) to 45 psi
(maximum recommended inflation) yielded about a 1.5 to 2.0 mpg difference in the fuel economy expected from each set of tires."
See:
http://www.ecosconsulting.com/downloads/2003-01-31_600-03-001CRVOL2.pdf
Also, take a look at the presentation made by Tim J. LaClair of Michelin. He indicates that the overwhelming majority of the rolling resistance comes from the hysteresis of the tire rubber.
http://www.energy.ca.gov/transportation/tire_efficiency/documents.../TIM_LACLAIR_MICHELIN.PPT
For me, the information which has been presented to the California Energy Commision gives a pretty clear picture: get those low rolling resistance tires. Your Energies are probably worth a 10% mpg premium vs the lousy Toyo tires I am currently running.
Ernie:
I suspect that your assumptions about rolling resistance VS inflation are not correct. You should check the link below. Their study would indicate that inflation, while not inconsequential, is not as much of a factor as the tire itself.
The quote below gives a good summary"
"For example in Figure 3 below, going from the tire with the highest
rolling resistance to the tire with the lowest rolling resistance within this test group can improve highway mileage by about 3.9 mpg, or about 12%, even at 25 psi, which is typically lower than the recommended tire pressure. On the other hand, going from 20 psi (low inflation) to 45 psi
(maximum recommended inflation) yielded about a 1.5 to 2.0 mpg difference in the fuel economy expected from each set of tires."
See:
http://www.ecosconsulting.com/downloads/2003-01-31_600-03-001CRVOL2.pdf
Also, take a look at the presentation made by Tim J. LaClair of Michelin. He indicates that the overwhelming majority of the rolling resistance comes from the hysteresis of the tire rubber.
http://www.energy.ca.gov/transportation/tire_efficiency/documents.../TIM_LACLAIR_MICHELIN.PPT
For me, the information which has been presented to the California Energy Commision gives a pretty clear picture: get those low rolling resistance tires. Your Energies are probably worth a 10% mpg premium vs the lousy Toyo tires I am currently running.