Fuel Economy

[qsilverza]

Hi,

I recently got some new tyres put on Bridgestone Adrenalin RE001's in 225/50 R16's on OEM Rims.

Now, I am having some alignment problems which, I am hoping to get sorted tomorrow by Traction tyres in rowville who come highly recommended, but ever since I changed to these tyres, my fuel economy has jumped about two or three litres !

Is this because I went from 205/55 R16's to the wider tyre with the SAME ROLLING RESISTANCE or is it possible the alignment is creating drag ?

Because it's going to cost a lot to have my fuel economy suffer so much !

[dubbed]

Sorry can't help you with your query.

But I'm a little confused - are you recommending Traction Tyres or have other people recommended them??

[qsilverza]

My mechanic has recommended them. I went there today and they certainly seem to know what they are on about.

But my problem isn't resolved, I am still getting vibration through the steering, and the car still doesn't track straight. It doesn't seem to have a dead-spot so you touch it left or right and it pulls that way instantly.

So, they seem to think it is because of the 225/50's on a 6.5" rim even though its legal they think the crowning could be causing these characteristics and I don't think I would be able to get the tyre place to change them over to the 205/55's recommended but I am going to try as the tyre place said it would be ok.

I am confused ?? Can anyone say whether it would be tyres ? I still think something is out of wack on the suspension but the vibration through the steering on hwy would have to be balance wouldn't it ?

[qsilverza]

heheh should be some comma's in the poll OH well..

[h100vw]

Swap your wheels front to back one at a time.

It is easily possible for one to be out of round and balanced dynamically at the same time.

I have seen it a few times, you spend a long while suffering a tiny little shake in the wheel only to find a slight ding on the inside of the rim or an imperfection in the tyre.

Mt steering feels a bit vague around straight ahead, I have the same size tyres as you on TT rims.

Gavin

[No457 Snowy]

My mechanic has recommended them. I went there today and they certainly seem to know what they are on about.

But my problem isn't resolved, I am still getting vibration through the steering, and the car still doesn't track straight. It doesn't seem to have a dead-spot so you touch it left or right and it pulls that way instantly.

So, they seem to think it is because of the 225/50's on a 6.5" rim even though its legal they think the crowning could be causing these characteristics and I don't think I would be able to get the tyre place to change them over to the 205/55's recommended but I am going to try as the tyre place said it would be ok.

I am confused ?? Can anyone say whether it would be tyres ? I still think something is out of wack on the suspension but the vibration through the steering on hwy would have to be balance wouldn't it ?

I couldn't find it on the Bridgestone site, but on the Michelin site they have 6" rims listed as the minimum width rim for their 225/50 R16 tyre size. You still come in 1/2" over that so you'd think you should be OK there.

Did the tyre place recheck the balance and alignment? It could be one of the weights has come off a wheel and they just need a re-balance. And maybe the alignment was a bit off to start with, it couldn't hurt to check it all again, even if it costs you $30 or so, better than chewing your new tyres out.

Are your tyre pressures OK? I've noticed some tyre places I've been to over-inflate to buggery and that can cause the crown effect you mentioned, especially if you are already edging on the small side with the rims.
Just throwing some ideas out there.


Snowy.

[D3bb4]

I run about 40psi in my tyres.... apparently lotsa people only runnin 30-ish?

[Mrk_Mickey]

Dude....225 even on a 6.5" wheel is crazy! My BBS's are 6.5" and 205 is what my recommended size was. I didn't even get that when I replaced mine, I went to 195's because of the availability, and yet they STILL don't sit flush, they bulge a tiny bit.

Not that I'm going against professional studies or whatever, but in my opinion those tyres are way too fat for a 6.5" wheel man. I'd go back to the tyre place and explain your problem asking for a swap to some smaller widths (I had to do this with height...the retards put 60's on my stockies intead of 50's)

[No457 Snowy]

I run about 40psi in my tyres.... apparently lotsa people only runnin 30-ish?

Mate check inside your fuel flap for the recommended pressures. I run 220kpa (32psi) on the front and 210kpa (30psi) on the rear and those pressures are already up a couple of pounds from the recommended. From memory the recommended max pressure on the front for fully loaded vehicle was 230kpa (~33psi) So drop your pressures and see how it feels.

To get the best from the tyres, the tyre manufacturers always recommend adding about 2-3psi to what the car manufacturer specifies on the placard, because the car manfacturer's specify lower pressures to get a compromise of handling/comfort.

Snowy

[D3bb4]

haha. WHOOPS!!!! I just ran that because typically; higher pressures are better for higher speeds and wet weather - and max pressure on tyres is about 45psi or somethin. (but even then, maybe 40 is too high)

I'll take a look at the rubber and see if has any bad effects so far. Might try lower pressures too.