New Tires = drop in gas mileage

[pawprint]

2 weeks ago I finally replaced my Continentals with these Yokohama YK520's.

So far I am really enjoying the new rubber, but my gas mileage has decreased to 19.5 mpg. I was averaging 23.5 with the Continentals.

FYI: Rogue & Continentals have 9,000 miles.

I assume this has something to do with rolling resistance, and I'm sure the problem is temporary - however I don't remember such a decrease in mileage when replacing tires.

[philipa_240sx]

You shouldn't see such a drastic drop in mileage. Run at least 1-2 tankfuls of fuel and do the comparison just to be sure it wasn't a blip.

[kerrton]

This is strange, even the best low-rolling resistance tires that I've looked at only claim about a 1mpg benefit, and that's typically under ideal conditions such as long highway runs.

There's no way these new tires could have that much more rolling resistance/friction than your old Continentals to drop your mileage a full 4 mpg, something else must be going on...I'm sure you're checked but make sure the tires are properly inflated, and like Philipa240SX suggested give it some time and rule out the possibility of random anomyly.

Let us know how things turn out and if the problem continuues I'm sure we can brainstorm some other possibilities.

[chove1437]

Same thing happens to me everytime I run my winter tires?!?!? Same rims and all. No steel rims.

I use the Continental's in the summer and get roughly 600kms to a tank. When I have my winter tires on, I only get about 500-550kms depending on driving conditions of course.

[Eikon]

Winter tires will certainly harm fuel efficiency by one or two mpg. They are very much "high rolling resistance" tires. But, you gladly trade the mpg for the traction and safety.

Replacing a set of used all weather radials with another set shouldn't do much to your mpg. I suspect the weather or a person's driving style have more to do with it. I know from past experience that a new set of tires makes the car feel really good to drive.. so I tend to drive a bit more aggressively. That certainly doesn't help the mpg.

[philipp2]

Are the new tires a larger diameter? If so, your actual miles per gallon may be the same but the recorded miles may be less. Use a GPS to verify the speedometer/odometer.

[ncsu]

I have a large drop of 3-4 mpg on my S when I put summer rubber on, but they are larger footprint and stickier.

Those Yoks are not sticky at all - they are long wear all seasons so I am shocked that the mpg dropped much at all. I agree with above statements - check air pressure and give it a couple of tanks.

[pawprint]

I'm starting to think random anomaly also. All 4 tires are at 35 psi. All 4 tires are the exact same size as the ones they replaced.

I suppose philipa is right, I'll wait for a few tank fulls of gas before I make any conclusions. I just wasn't sure if maybe tires could cause that much rolling resistance to drop mileage that much. Very odd.

Eikon, I could be a bit more aggressive on the new tread. It's easy to do!

[ncsu]

It is possible that the new tires have a larger footprint. This would create more rolling resistance.

Conti tread width - I have been searching, but can't find it - anyone know?
Yoko tread width - 7.2 inch