
Best Low Rolling Resistance Tires
You Can Save Money At The Pump With The Right Tires-
Many people these days spend a lot of time and effort researching the right hybrid vehicle to buy. Do I go with the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, or Ford Focus Hybrid? When it comes to tires on the other hand, most people just buy the cheapest tires that fit their vehicle. What most people don't realize though, is that buying the right tires can save hundreds of dollars at the pump.
Low Rolling Resistance Tires Tested:
Continental ProContact EcoPlus, Bridgestone Ecopia EP422, Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max, Michelin Defender
When tested on a BMW 3 series the following tires were graded based upon how they performed, and their respective miles per gallon of fuel. The testing was done on a variety of different roads including highway, side streets, and through town. This provides a wide array of surfaces including bumps, potholes, and other imperfections in the road to test tires through everyday conditions. Tests are also conducted at a wide variety of speeds and the tires are driven pretty aggressively.
You Can Save Money At The Pump With The Right Tires-
Many people these days spend a lot of time and effort researching the right hybrid vehicle to buy. Do I go with the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, or Ford Focus Hybrid? When it comes to tires on the other hand, most people just buy the cheapest tires that fit their vehicle. What most people don't realize though, is that buying the right tires can save hundreds of dollars at the pump.
Low Rolling Resistance Tires Tested:
Continental ProContact EcoPlus, Bridgestone Ecopia EP422, Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max, Michelin Defender
When tested on a BMW 3 series the following tires were graded based upon how they performed, and their respective miles per gallon of fuel. The testing was done on a variety of different roads including highway, side streets, and through town. This provides a wide array of surfaces including bumps, potholes, and other imperfections in the road to test tires through everyday conditions. Tests are also conducted at a wide variety of speeds and the tires are driven pretty aggressively.
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Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max, 28.2 mpg
Pros: - Smooth and comfortable ride - Decent dry traction and handling Cons: - Steering response could be improved - Wet traction could be better - Noisy at higher speeds (Click here for full Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max review) Michelin Defender, 27.7 mpg Pros: - Great Dry Traction - Great Steering Response - Good snow and ice traction for an all season tire - Low noise level Cons: - Wet traction could be just slightly improved (Click here for full Michelin Defender review) |
Continental ProContact ECOPlus, 27.3 mpg
Pros: - Nice comfortable ride - Steering and handling is very responsive - Great wet and dry traction Cons - Treadlife wears fast - Grip for winter and snowy conditions (Click here for full Continental ProContact ECOPlus review) Bridgestone Ecopia EP422, 27.9 mpg Pros: - Very smooth and quiet ride - Does well over bumps and potholes - Impressive snow traction Cons: - Dry traction could be slightly better - Wet traction could be improved (Click here for full Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 review) |

The Michelin Defender and Continental ProContact EcoPlus were the best all around tires when considering all factors including mpg, ride quality, traction, etc. Although the differences in miles per gallon ended up being much closer than originally anticipated, when these numbers are compared to traditional passenger and touring tires, the difference becomes much more apparent. Another thing to consider, is that even just a couple miles per gallon difference in fuel consumption can lead to a savings of $100 to $400 over the life of the tire. This obviously depends on individual driving habits, and how long the specific tire lasts.