Fuel Max Tires Debate

KMGZ400 · October 23, 2014

The high-mileage, high-efficiency tires have nothing to do with PSI - it's all about the rubber compound. It's harder and stiffer to reduce energy loss from sidewall flex and reduce tread wear. That equates to better fuel efficiency and tread life, but worse traction and comfort.

This^^^^

I had those good year fuel max tires on my cruze Eco for about 35k until they were worn, they did not have good traction at all and squealed if you took any turn at a decent speed. They did yield 1-2 MPG better then the current BFG touring I had but the BFG's handle and grip way better and they are holding up great now at 58k.

KMGZ400 · October 23, 2014

Yesterday at lunch I got the dreaded phone call from the wife.

" I drove home for lunch and there was a wop-wop sound coming from the right rear. Then a loud pop and the tire sensor thing showed up on the dash and I watched the pressure drop to 1psi as I came into Hallsville. I just made it to the house."

She drives a 2013 Malibu Eco LTZ. The car had the Goodyear Fuel Max tires on it and by driving on the sidewall past a service station to the house she ruined the tire. No jack, no spare tire, just an air compressor and a can of sealant... I had to call the service station to come to repair it. The repair was a plug and air to get it where it would stay inflated.

After looking at the mileage and all the tires it appeared to me that now, right now, was the best time to replace them. 34K miles the Goodyears' were gone. We called and searched all over the city closest to us to find a replacement set. My wife really wanted to fuel max tire, me not so much. We could not find it or comparable fuel savings tire in stock at any location in Longview. Tire size was P225/55R17 95H

We ended up at Sams where we started and bought BFGoodrich P225/55R17 97T. Note that there was about a 300 dollar swing and a 24 hour wait for the fuel savers.

How much MPG did we give up by buying these instead of the fuel savings tires?

Those of you that have swapped out the Fuel Saver tires on your 2014, and stayed roughly the same size have you seen a drop in MPG?

Welcome to the Eco car life.. Been stranded a few times because of the fuel max tires and not having a spare, those tires had terrible puncture resistance. Haven't had any issues with almost 30k on the bfg's.

Sooperdave · October 23, 2014

I think in the end there are ultimately additional mileage savings with everything being equal. Say in 40K miles the amount of fuel used will be less than a non fuel savings tire. As people above mentioned, it will definitely depend on a few variables. Biggest one being air pressures. Weight of a tire can have an effect either way. Less rotating weight, easier on engine, better mileage. I do consider this when looking at tires myself. AND dealing with tires on a daily basis at a dealership, there are lots of weight differences in the exact same size.

TxTruckMan · October 23, 2014

Agreed on the weight... The weight of a wheel/tire combo has a MUCH larger impact on MPG than tire pressure or tire compound. Tire pressure doesn't have any significant impact on fuel economy until you start getting to relatively low pressures (<25 psi). But 30 to 40 psi will all result in approximately the same mileage. But add 10 to 20 pounds to a tire/wheel and you'll take a noticeable hit in mileage.

MTB · November 4, 2014

Just I'd give you guys a little update.

When we bought the BFG's for the wife's car all she really cared about was the hit she was going to take at the pump. This is what prompted my questioning. I was wondering if any of you guys have traded off Fuel Max Tires for same sized regular tires and experienced a big hit to fuel mileage. The good news is that the BFG's handle better, have a slightly softer ride, less road noise and in two weeks she has not once complained about gas mileage. Complaints being the thing I want to avoid.

I thought that my truck had the fuel max tires on it. I was wrong it has the Goodyear wrangler assurance with raised white letters. Yep I'm old school and I tend to roll that way. When it gets time to replace these I'll go with a slightly more aggressive tread and raised white letters, cause it is cool...

TxTruckMan · November 4, 2014

Just I'd give you guys a little update.

When we bought the BFG's for the wife's car all she really cared about was the hit she was going to take at the pump. This is what prompted my questioning. I was wondering if any of you guys have traded off Fuel Max Tires for same sized regular tires and experienced a big hit to fuel mileage. The good news is that the BFG's handle better, have a slightly softer ride, less road noise and in two weeks she has not once complained about gas mileage. Complaints being the thing I want to avoid.

I thought that my truck had the fuel max tires on it. I was wrong it has the Goodyear wrangler assurance with raised white letters. Yep I'm old school and I tend to roll that way. When it gets time to replace these I'll go with a slightly more aggressive tread and raised white letters, cause it is cool...

What I expected, no difference in mileage.

I too like the OWL tires, but I don't think they'll look as good on 20"+ wheels. I've always gotten them until my Denali since it has 20" wheels. I don't even know if they offer them with larger wheels.

MTB · November 4, 2014

What I expected, no difference in mileage.

I too like the OWL tires, but I don't think they'll look as good on 20"+ wheels. I've always gotten them until my Denali since it has 20" wheels. I don't even know if they offer them with larger wheels.

We should start a campaign to bring back the OWL tires. That and wide whites too. There is no style in black and round. For that matter a Red letter or Red ringed tire would be bad assed!