Do new tires affect MPG in Hybrid vehicles? Defender 2

mikelets456 · Jul 29, 2024

After months of researching tires on this site, Tire rack and other sites I ended up with getting Michelin Defender 2 tires. I did it based on being quiet, decent light snow and wet handling and gas mileage. However, my gas mileage definitely took a hit---on the way to work I consistently get 47-52 MPG. I set the cruise control on the highway to 72 MPH and typically am on EV on the back roads.
However, I just got these tires Friday and on the way home I got 38.8 MPG and today on the way in (72 deg, dry, no wind) I got 43 MPG. I babied it as well....going ridiculously slow ( no cars behind me) just to stay in EV mode more than normal.

Do new tires need a break in period for mileage? I read there is a break in period for wet/dry handling....but for gas MPG too?

TrueTexan · Jul 29, 2024

They might need a little break in but also check the tire pressure.

mikelets456 · Jul 29, 2024

TrueTexan said:
They might need a little break in but also check the tire pressure.

Tire PSI set from Costco with Nitrogen at 37 PSI. I have been reading tires that are worn get better mileage due to low rolling resistance and also more RPM on the odometer read out which shows higher MPG. Also, I believe these new tires are heavier...

ChukarBob · Jul 29, 2024

"Retired" my OEM Dunlops last November with about 24K miles on them. Replaced with Defender 2's, which I've used on prior vehicles (4WD Tacoma's). Didn't notice a change in MPG's, but I'm not real obsessive about tracking that kind of thing. I feel more confident in the Michelins, but have never run a rigorous comparison of tires. I did get high-centered on a 2-track back in ND with the Michelins, but that was my fault, not the tires.

TrueTexan · Jul 29, 2024

Replaced my wife's XSE OEM Michelins with Michelin Defender 2 and a large size 235/60/18 .Interesting that before the change the speedometer was off about 2 MPH vs the real speed and after there is almost no difference in the MPH between the RAV4 and the GPS MPH.So if your are tracking the MPG is may be different .

Mr_Flux · Jul 29, 2024

I'm surprised you were getting 47-52 at 72mph, even in a hybrid. What tires did you have before?

mikelets456 · Jul 29, 2024

Mr_Flux said:
I'm surprised you were getting 47-52 at 72mph, even in a hybrid. What tires did you have before?

I had the stock Firestone tires. In the warm weather my trek to work is 26 miles. It’s 17 miles of highway and the rest is 25-35 MPH roads with only a few lights.
I forget the model of the tires but here’s a picture.

Azul · Jul 30, 2024

Yes they do.

Ruemiser · Jul 30, 2024

mikelets456 said:
I had the stock Firestone tires. In the warm weather my trek to work is 26 miles. It’s 17 miles of highway and the rest is 25-35 MPH roads with only a few lights.
I forget the model of the tires but here’s a picture.
View attachment 208494
View attachment 208495

Hi Mike, I have those same standard tires (Firestone) on my 2024. Keeping them at around 39psi / 30 mile daily commute averaging about 44.1 mpg in Econ Mode

Pattenp · Jul 30, 2024

mikelets456 said:
Tire PSI set from Costco with Nitrogen at 37 PSI. I have been reading tires that are worn get better mileage due to low rolling resistance and also more RPM on the odometer read out which shows higher MPG. Also, I believe these new tires are heavier...

Oh no... don't mention "Nitrogen". What a rip off.

FKHeath · Jul 30, 2024

Pattenp said:
Oh no... don't mention "Nitrogen". What a rip off.

The nitrogen fill at Costco is free. Can't be a rip off if it is free.

My local Costco has just installed a nitrogen tire refill right in the parking lot. Anyone can go and fill their tires with nitrogen if they wish, for free.

Pattenp · Jul 30, 2024

FKHeath said:
The nitrogen fill at Costco is free. Can't be a rip off if it is free.

My local Costco has just installed a nitrogen tire refill right in the parking lot. Anyone can go and fill their tires with nitrogen if they wish, for free.

No problem if it's free, but never pay for it. It's a waste of money.

Glideslope · Jul 31, 2024

mikelets456 said:
After months of researching tires on this site, Tire rack and other sites I ended up with getting Michelin Defender 2 tires. I did it based on being quiet, decent light snow and wet handling and gas mileage. However, my gas mileage definitely took a hit---on the way to work I consistently get 47-52 MPG. I set the cruise control on the highway to 72 MPH and typically am on EV on the back roads.
However, I just got these tires Friday and on the way home I got 38.8 MPG and today on the way in (72 deg, dry, no wind) I got 43 MPG. I babied it as well....going ridiculously slow ( no cars behind me) just to stay in EV mode more than normal.

Do new tires need a break in period for mileage? I read there is a break in period for wet/dry handling....but for gas MPG too?

Defenders have a high rolling resistance. They won't change with more miles. Cross Climate 2's are the way to go. I picked up 1-1.75 mpg on my 2022 after getting rid of the Primacy's.

mikelets456 · Jul 31, 2024

Glideslope said:
Defenders have a high rolling resistance. They won't change with more miles. Cross Climate 2's are the way to go. I picked up 1-1.75 mpg on my 2022 after getting rid of the Primacy's.

I’m not sure where you’re getting this information as the Defender 2 is showing a lower rolling resistance than the CC2 in tests and reviews and user reviews.

Goodyear Assurance Maxlife vs Michelin Defender 2

Both the Goodyear Assurance Maxlife and the Michelin Defender 2 are leading when it comes to their standard touring all-season category. So...

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mikelets456 · Jul 31, 2024

mikelets456 said:
I’m not sure where you’re getting this information as the Defender 2 is showing a lower rolling resistance than the CC2 in tests and reviews and user reviews.

Goodyear Assurance Maxlife vs Michelin Defender 2

Both the Goodyear Assurance Maxlife and the Michelin Defender 2 are leading when it comes to their standard touring all-season category. So...

tiredriver.com

Michelin Defender 2 Vs CrossClimate 2: Which Tire Wins? - Drive Cruise

When it comes to choosing the right tires for our vehicles, we're all looking for that perfect blend of durability, performance, and safety. Enter the debate

drivecruise.com

Pattenp · Jul 31, 2024

Would not the Defender2 have less rolling road resistance with a tread wear index of 840 vs 640 for the Cross Climate 2?

Lorenzo1000 · Jul 31, 2024

Pattenp said:
Would not the Defender2 have less rolling road resistance with a tread wear index of 840 vs 640 for the Cross Climate 2?

You would think so as the Cross Climates are all weather tires and the Defender 2 tires are only all season I believe.

FKHeath · Jul 31, 2024

Pattenp said:
Would not the Defender2 have less rolling road resistance with a tread wear index of 840 vs 640 for the Cross Climate 2?

Tread wear is mostly a factor of the rubber compound used for the tread. Rolling resistance is mostly due to flexing of the side walls; stiffer side walls means less flex. That is why the early Prius came with W speed rated tires; high speed ratings (at the time) meant less heat build up due to flexing of the side walls.

Pattenp · Jul 31, 2024

FKHeath said:
Tread wear is mostly a factor of the rubber compound used for the tread. Rolling resistance is mostly due to flexing of the side walls; stiffer side walls means less flex. That is why the early Prius came with W speed rated tires; high speed ratings (at the time) meant less heat build up due to flexing of the side walls.

What I've read online is the tread and underlying plies account for 2/3 of rolling resistance and sidewalls 1/3. So that's where I would think a tire with a higher tread wear number will help provide less rolling resistance by having a tread with harder rubber compound. Per Continental Tire. " The most significant factor in reducing rolling resistance concerns hysteresis – the process that happens when a tire flexes as it meets the road surface, leading to an energy loss that inhibits forward momentum. Studies have shown that hysteresis accounts for as much as 85-90% of rolling resistance, so reducing it is a key objective. The majority of the energy that is dissipated through hysteresis occurs via a tire’s tread."

mikelets456 · Aug 1, 2024

Update---350 - 400 miles on the new tires and things are settling in...They have become very quiet over most surfaces (they were not so quiet the first few days), good in the rain we had last night and mileage each day gets better. This AM it was 46.3 MPG on the gauge as it was 38.8 the day I got these tires....very similar weather days as well...light winds, 78 Deg F, light traffic.

Do new tires affect MPG in Hybrid vehicles? Defender 2

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