Month of December 2019 (Nat’l avg $2.591)

Always had good results with new tires from their very beginnings. I had some used Yokohama GeoLanders that wore well, even down to their end of tread life. If it wasn't for the approaching winter, I'd recommend higher tire pressures. Do you get much snow?

 

I think Andrew's pretty dialed in on what's what. Just pondering the issue of new tires being more draggy, all else being equal, I might expect some energy loss from the deeper tread being able to wiggle more with no benefit. How's that for a hypothesis pulled out of thin air?

 

Often heard the wiggly deep tread theory. Using accurate correction for extra miles of the "taller" new tread tho, often shows INCREASED MPG from new tires. I love "taller" new tread tires, which matches with my experience going to higher aspect ratio tires (giving taller tires) that give lower rpms & extra MPG.

New tires have much shorter hard braking stopping distances than worn tires, especially in the wet. Most certainly, that is a very LARGE benefit.

 

I agree with the idea that same size tires are taller when new compared to old, so actual distance will read low without calibration so lower indicated MPG without accounting for the distance part of the equation. However, my squiggly thoughts relate to the 'feel' of draggy tires and probably very real, lesser coasting distances.

So you run taller tires than stock with the same size rim? (i.e. not doing a proper -1 or -2 wheel/tire combo change) Do you have the odometer and speedometer recalibrated? If not, your odometer and speedometer accuracy will be off. The former might be an issue on sale of your vehicle. Do you affirm that the odometer reading is correct when signing over the car title to the buyer? Or do you just drive the car into the ground and junk the car?

Side benefit of your approach of taller tires is of course lower engine RPM at any given speed...

 

Oh yeah, related to your "higher aspect ratio tires (giving taller tires) ". Taller tires will require greater stopping distances. 4-wheelers (off-road) who cram the tallest tire they can under the wheel arches without gearing and brake changes can run into trouble with greater stopping distances. (just an extreme example; I'm sure your tire diameter increase is not THAT significant)

 

I have increased tire diameters by 8+% & 7+% on two cars. Also, I have increased tread widths by 1+ inches (which means car track widths are similarly increased), which make my cars corner much nicer. No data on braking distances, but I feel secure on my big boots. If anything, I have discovered that new car dealers selling small tires on their least expensive cars & models, have decreased safety for their less rich customers.

 

You , sir , are entitled to your own opinion.

 

Today , 25 deg F in Wood Dale IL and 26 in Toronto , Ontario.
Stayed with friend in Lombard last night , so no highway today.
16.3 miles , 56.0 MPG.
Tank is at 550.9 miles , 19 remaining , 59.0 MPG.
My gas station is about 27 miles from here.
Last pip on fuel gauge started flashing at 543 miles( 29 remaining)

 

Nah, ain't opinion. For decades, I loved small wheels & tires to go along with small cars, manual trannies & high MPG. But, my use of used taller & wider tires, have shown me you can still have high MPG, while retaining better handling & braking. At the very least, I've gotten rid of squealing tires. At the most, I've gotten rid of tires that slide too easily & tires that enjoy ditches too much.
Did I say, used big tires outperform new small tires? Yes I said, used big tires outperform new small tires

 

Way to go, Gord!

 

Filled up Saturday afternoon.577.4 miles , fcd = 61.8 x .956 = 59.1 MPG
577.4 miles / 9.834 gal = 58.7 MPG.

Today , 46 deg F in Naperville and Wood Dale , 44 in Toronto.
35.1 miles , 61.8 MPG.
Tank is at 65.9 miles , 60.6 MPG.

 

And I rode the Trek 12 miles Sunday morning. My hands were cold , my gloves are not the best.
A lot of folks were on the trails , even though it was less than 40 F.

 

Today , 19 deg F in Naperville , 18 in Wood Dale , and 40 ?! in Toronto.
35.1 miles , 57.6 MPG.
Tank is at 136.1 miles , 478 remaining , 58.1 MPG.
Tomorrow will be bad for fuel economy. I need to pick up my girlfriend's daughter and
her husband in Naperville and take them to O'Hare. I volunteered to do this because it's easier
for me than anyone else, since I work right next to O'Hare in Elk Grove Village.
And yes, we do have elk.

 

They are in a large pen inside the forest preserve. Large , like 30 acres.
Why ? No one knows.
Today , 17 deg F in Naperville , 14 in Wood Dale , and 23 in tropical Toronto.
As expected , fuel economy was poor. 3 humans , luggage , wind , speed.
About 50 MPG for about 40 miles. And tolls , of course. My girlfriend's daughter and her husband
are going to Mexico. I'm not sure how they are going to pull it off, but they plan to rent
a house there for six months and live there every winter.

 

An elk is just a horse with a fancy hat.