Re: 2009, comeback for low rolling resistance tires ?

>
> There certainly has been a resurgence in LRR tires in the last two months.
> I needed a set of new tires for my Saturn conversion and bugged Bridgestone
> continuously to bring their new Ecopia EP100 tire here, but the answer was
> only "it's not intended for the US market." Two months after I bought new
> Michelins they begin selling them. Here's a few of what they are offering
> specifically for LRR:
>
> Bridgestone Ecopia EP100:
>
> http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Ecopia+EP100
>
> Ecopia EP20 just showed up recently as an OEM Prius replacement tire:
>
> http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Ecopia+EP20
>
> Ecopia EP-02 is the Rav4 EV tire that has been around all along:
>
> http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Ecopia+EP-02
>
> Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max, they've actually been running TV commercials
> for this tire:
>
> http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Assurance+Fuel+Max
>
> Michelin Energy Saver. All their "Energy" line of tires are supposed to be
> LRR and I have a set of Energy MXV4S8's on my Saturn. I'm happy with it, but
> they are heavy tires:
>
> http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Energy+Saver+A%2FS
>
> They also make a version of the Hydroedge in LRR:
>
> http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=HydroEdge+with+Green+X
>
> If you'd asked about this last year you would have only had a few sparse
> choices, but now it's definitely a competition.
>
>
> Regards,
> Rick
> 92 Saturn SC Conversion
> AZ Alt Fuel Plates "ZEROGAS"
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------
> I was reading a magazine that had a blurb abut the 2009 F-150 truck
> which has a "SFE" version fords "super fuel economy" version.
> One thing that caught my eye was the use of low rolling resistance tires
> and in larger sizes.
>
> "18-inch chrome clad aluminum wheels
> <http://www.autospies.com/news/2009-Ford-F150-SFE-34918/#>with low
> rolling resistance P265/60R18 all-season tires."
> and apparently there is a 20" option too for those bling addicts that
> want a heavier rim to totally offset the low rolling resistance.
>
> Not very low profile but a bit of googleing and we see the GM has it's
> "XFE" "eXtra fuel economy"  line to match. (sheesh more TLA's)
> They have goodyear and conti's in 15" size for the cobalt for example.
>
> The phrases that worry me are "worked with the tire manufacturer to
> create a tire especially for the cobalt".; which could mean we can't buy
> them.
>
> But here is hoping that low rolling resistance tires will gain enough
> momentum to tip the scales and make a comeback.
> I want to rolling resistance standards posted on the tire along with the
> treadwear and traction ratings :-)
>
> Funny are how many blog entries there are saying "low rolling resistance
> = unstable or unsafe in any inclement weather " and none about fair
> weather braking differences.
>
> Don't worry, I know lower rolling resistance doesn't automatically mean
> less traction.
>
>
>
>
>
>
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