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Old 04-23-2008, 01:00 AM
SteveHansen SteveHansen is offline
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Real Name: Steve Hansen
Location: South Florida
Hybrids: Camry
Posts: 223
Default Re: quieter tires (with same or better MPG)?

Quote:
Originally Posted by martinmzfan View Post
The stock Michelin MXV4 S8's are cruddy on performance. I have never driven a car with so much tire squeal in my life. ... I make quick right turns starting from a dead standstill and these tires squeal.
It isn't the tires. It's the vehicle.

The TCH has a lot more low-end torque than any gasoline-powered vehicle you have ever driven. DC electric motors produce their maximum torque at zero RPM. Gas motors have to be going several thousand RPM before they reach max torque, and they have very little torque at low RPMs. The result is that even a small electric motor can squeal a tire when starting from a stop, especially when you turn immediately.

This is inherent in every electric-powered vehicle, just because the torque at zero RPM is inherent in every DC electric motor. These vehicles require a slight adjustment in driving style. Just don't stomp the gas fully down until you are going a few miles per hour. Instead, push it down gradually over a period of a second or two. You will get there just as quickly, and you will get better fuel economy in the bargain.
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