low roll resistance tyres

[jimbomort]

Just wondering if anyone has tried any of the low roll resistance tyres that fit the tig? (eg Michellin XM2, Goodyear eagle efficient grip)

see http://www.jaxquickfit.com.au/tyres/...en/tiguan#2009

If so be interested in hearing of peoples experiences and thoughts on

We are about to replace our tyres, so looking at options

I like the idea of the Pirelli Scorpions but not sure re availability now and low roll resistance might be better for the majority of our driving. Of course dont know how low roll resist compares with running other tyres at higher pressures, which can do within limits pretty easily

[team_v]

With APR and my driving style i would be looking more towards the sport/performance end rather than these but i am also interested to see if anyone has tried these type and what their opinion is.

[kaanage]

XM2s work great on my Polo (not a tig but hey, I'm using the tyres). The ride is good, grip is more than enough for normal driving and they are very quiet unless pushed.

If pressing on, they do break away earlier than a performance tyre but they are very progressive when they let go so controlled sliding is very easy (and they squeal to let you know that you are pushing things).

I got MAJOR improvement in mileage but I also went narrower so you would be unlikely to see the ~10% fuel saving that I got.

[Captain Bungers]

I got the Bridgestone RE-002 Potenzas on my Tig, but I'm with team_v with the sport flavour over the 'bush' flavour. I have to admit that they do seem to be more efficient than the Goodyear Eagle F1s I had on before (and about 327 x better). I do a lot of semi highway driving and am really happy. My average according to the MFD has dropped from 8.6 to 8.4 l/100 (premium unleaded).

[jimbomort]

thanks guys, some good feedback. I'd be tempted to try them but having checked out more it looks like the options on low roll resistance for the Tig are pretty limited and the downside for me is the low roll resistance tyres are pretty much pure hwy, with less off road capacity than my current (shagged) Hancocks.

So its coming down to my old favoured option- the Pirelli Scorpion STRs. Having talked with a few Tig owners who have them, they seem very happy with. Only decision now is whether I go with a larger diam tyre (ie greater than the 15mm legal allowance) and if so probably down the engineering certificate route, else the potential hassles could become a real drag (ie potential for hassles with insurance and come annual roadworthy checks once our Tig is 3 yrs old which will be next rego).

I will search here, but if anyone has experience with getting an engineering certificate, how hard etc, be interested to hear peoples experience

[MGV]

Jimbo, i got 5 years grace on my 2006 Buell motorbike as far as pink slip rego inspections go... You sure it's not 5 for new cars too?

[jimbomort]

Jimbo, i got 5 years grace on my 2006 Buell motorbike as far as pink slip rego inspections go... You sure it's not 5 for new cars too?

MGV thanks, maybe it is 5 years in Vic, but pretty sure its 3 years in NSW, unless it has changed since my last new car

This engineered certificate thing is a costly business, $500 to get the certification!

cheers


Jimbo

[jimbomort]

update - well what a saga. I have pretty much given up on the idea of larger rolling diam tyres. To do it legally (above 15mm increase) is expensive ($500 just for certification) and then you still have to correct your settings for odo, ABS etc. Plus I am not even sure you can do that completely, especially abs.

Thats Ok. Reality is I do very little off roading anyway or at least of the serious kind and what I have done on the more serious side is on sand. So Am going to accept 20mm extra from the spacers and the bashplate are enough and get some tyres that best support the 99% of driving we do.

So I think I am going to give the Michelin Energy XM2's a go after all. Dunlop Lemans RV502's are quite a bit cheaper and sound ok, but will gamble on the Michies - have certainly had good experience wit hthose before and feedback above encouraging.

Its all a compromise but thats what our little SUV is anyway. If we can improve our economy and enviro cred further we'll have a pretty balanced package, plenty of go, half decent off road capacity, good for towing, good on fuel, relaxing to drive (love that torque) etc. Managed an av of 6.6 l/100 (MFD) the other day to brisbane and back, which included driving around the city and air con for the half the way. We took it easy (95-105) and I managed the air con a bit, but I am pretty happy with that for a powerful petrol suv. Its a hell of a lot better than a friends V6 Pajero that manages at best 13l/100 and thats with him really babying it. If we can noticeably improve on our econmy futher its all good.

Will let everyone know final outcome when have the new tyres and some experience with

[kaanage]

Keep us updated on how it goes with the XM2s. I'll be very surprised if you don't find a consistent improvement in mileage.

[brad]

MGV thanks, maybe it is 5 years in Vic, but pretty sure its 3 years in NSW, unless it has changed since my last new car

Mine skoda is 5yrs. Bought July 2008 (first month the 5 year system operated in NSW).

I've had XM2 on a Toyota Avensis Verso & they were suprisingly good (grip) on vehicle #1 but average on vehicle #2 (yes, we had 2 Avensis). For a 7 seater on 205/65x15 tyres you could really punt it around.

I've got Michelin Primacy GreenX on the Skoda. Grip well for my driving style/conditions. Beutifully progressive & communicative break-away. Fuel economy is about the same as the OEM ContisSport Contact 2. Wear is excellant - 30,000km so far & they've worn 3mm.

[jimbomort]

Well we eventually went with Conti Contact 5's, I had meant to buy Michelins, but turned up only to find hardly anyone in the country had, so was looking like the continentals or nothing. Not bad tyres, pretty smooth and quiet, haven't pushed enough to comment o nthe handling but good enough. Better on fuel? If they are not overly convinced. Indeed our fuel economy on the trip was nothing to Rave about. By MFD 7.8 to Sydney and 7.8 back from Tamworth, but well up into the high 8's on some other sections (albeit doing more 110-120 work and hills), so never got close to high 6's low 7's, which I have done plenty of times in the past. WE were fully loaded including 3 bikes on a bike rack and a roof pod, but sure I have done some trips before like that with substantially better economy. I can comment for certain when I have done some med local trips without all the load, but at this stage would not recommend the conti contact 5's as low roll tyres, but fine otherwise.

Other than that Tig did great on our 4000 kay trip (down to Vic and back) and with stage 1 overtaking is a breeze even fully loaded.

[donweather]

I can comment for certain when I have done some med local trips without all the load, but at this stage would not recommend the conti contact 5's as low roll tyres, but fine otherwise.

Hmmmm, this might explain why my fuel economy is way over you guys previously. I've got Continental's on mine. But just about to get some new tyres, so interested to hear what tyres you had previously when getting the low fuel economy. Also, how many k's did you get out of your old tyres?

My conti's have been quite durable. Just under 50,000kms out of them and could have got more (at least another 5000-7000 kms I reckon) if I did a wheel alignment earlier (wearing on the inside means I have to change them earlier unfortunately).

[jimbomort]

Don my previous tyres were Hancocks, I didn't mind them but they were pretty had it wear wise by 40k, so wasn't that impressed with the wear.

Driving style, use of air con and speed make a big difference to fuel economy too. For example I consistently get 10-15% better economy than my Mrs in the same car.

How much over are you?

I must say in the end I wish I'd just said what the hell and gone for the larger diam pirelli scorpions like I originally planned and not worried about doing it officially. Would have been a risk, but I think a low one and better to have done it now, rather than in a few years when I get into the annual roadworthy check.

Anyway sa la vie

Hmmmm, this might explain why my fuel economy is way over you guys previously. I've got Continental's on mine. But just about to get some new tyres, so interested to hear what tyres you had previously when getting the low fuel economy. Also, how many k's did you get out of your old tyres?

My conti's have been quite durable. Just under 50,000kms out of them and could have got more (at least another 5000-7000 kms I reckon) if I did a wheel alignment earlier (wearing on the inside means I have to change them earlier unfortunately).

[donweather]

Don my previous tyres were Hancocks, I didn't mind them but they were pretty had it wear wise by 40k, so wasn't that impressed with the wear.

Driving style, use of air con and speed make a big difference to fuel economy too. For example I consistently get 10-15% better economy than my Mrs in the same car.

How much over are you?

I must say in the end I wish I'd just said what the hell and gone for the larger diam pirelli scorpions like I originally planned and not worried about doing it officially. Would have been a risk, but I think a low one and better to have done it now, rather than in a few years when I get into the annual roadworthy check.

Anyway sa la vie

I'm pretty consistently getting 10's city driving and 8-9's highway driving but that's sitting on 105-115km/hr on the speedo. I can't say I've ever got as low as the 7's that you and Team V are reporting??

Perhaps it's a tradeoff with tyres on tyre wear versus rolling resistance?

I've got the Continental Cross Contacts.

[team_v]

I'm pretty consistently getting 10's city driving and 8-9's highway driving but that's sitting on 105-115km/hr on the speedo. I can't say I've ever got as low as the 7's that you and Team V are reporting??

Perhaps it's a tradeoff with tyres on tyre wear versus rolling resistance?

I've got the Continental Cross Contacts.

Tyre pressure, speed and air con are the 3 biggest ones that will affect it.



Make sure your tyres are pumped up 38psi for highway driving should be fine.

Driving at 80km/h in 6th net's the best fuel economy, up to 100 will still be good but anyhting over that starts to drink abit.
Having said that, i got 8l/100km displayed on my trip out to Roma where we were doing arond 110km/h.

Air con will consistently reduce fuel economy by at least 1L/100km if not 2.

Roof rack (cross bars) are also a known fuel economy eater.



Note that i only get 7's on highway trips when no air con is used.