View Single Post
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 07-29-2005, 09:15 AM
stoner's Avatar
stoner stoner is offline
Diesel Driver
 
Real Name: Rob
Location: UK
Hybrids: Waiting for the diesel hybrids!
Posts: 71
Default Re: Tyre (tire) speed ratings

Quote:
Originally Posted by coyote
Sorry Rob not to answer your question yet, but I have a question for you (or the rest of the gang) regarding the ratings. Thanks for posting them, BTW.

If I am reading those ratings correctly, the rolling resistance of the skinny-ish Michelin Energy 175/70R13 is higher (worse) than the wider Michelin Energy 195/65R15. So one conclusion would be that getting a slightly wider, lower profile tire (tyre :-) ) does not impact rolling resistance (in this case, it was even better).

Is that a valid conclusion, or am I reading the table incorrectly?

(Also, braking and aquaplaning seemed to be better in the wider tyre as well.)
Do you know I never even noticed that.
I was considering going down from a 195 to a 185 width until I read this - about 2/3 rds down the page (check out the 'Tweel' and Tyre Size Calculator on the way) claiming that the contact patch would remain relatively similar - however I would have expected minor advantages through less weight/rotating mass.

My only conclusion about the Energy's is that the tyres are slightly different models (XT1, XH1), maybe the T & H refer to speed ratings!? They come rated T or H, so you may have inadvertently answered my question .

I have been trawling the web and so far have found two differing opinions concerning speed ratings - one that higher rated tyres are softer and have higher RR, and one that they are stiffer and therefore have lower RR. Probably not enough in it to make that much difference either way once they are pumped up beyond recommended PSI. Maybe.

.


Last edited by stoner; 07-29-2005 at 09:37 AM.
Reply With Quote