Tire replacement time is approaching.

[Cherokee]

Yes

I did, put it up to 39 psi and it made it worse. Now back to 34 and back to 37-38 mpg

A harder tire bounces up over a bump then comes back down, this is like tapping the brakes to a small degree, hence an mpg drop. It skids ever so slightly and it has to regain its traction.

Resistance is futile Jean-Luc. :’P

A properly inflated tire deforms over the bump and maintains more road contact,
Somewhat, thousands of tiny bumps add up.
LESS impact on rebound, les bounce, less rolling resistance.

Ever been on a true washboard road ?
Car slows down and slightly changes direction needing input from the driver.
That’s a perfect example of what I’ve found to be true.

On glass smooth asphalt like the test track where they rate highway mpg, super smooth and near max tire pressure gives the best mpg for that window sticker.

I hardly ever find roads that smooth,
My best mpg is always at the pressure that’s on the door jam.

35 psi for my stock 225/60R18 primacy’s
And to keep even tread wear likely
34 psi when I put on 235/60R18 shoes.

My truck Carrie’s nothing but me
95% of the time.
The other 5%, a 400-500 pound load at most.

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[Leroy]

which ever you choose, give Costco a chance on price. Saved$200 on Michelins over Ford.

 

[zen_]

I was asking earlier about the Defender 2 in the snow as I'm in SE Michigan (metro Detroit area) and we get our fair share of snow. Looking to replace the OEM Michelin Primacy A/S on our 23 Escape Hybrid. We haven't had any issues with the Primacy in the snow and I would assume the Defender 2 would be at least just as good in the snow.

I did see some comments on online on other forums saying the Defender 2 has a rough ride and tends to wonder on the freeway but I only saw that mentioned a few times. Our Escape has 18" wheels and seems a little rough at times with the Primacy's it came with but maybe it's because of the 18" wheels and our garbage roads here in MI, lol.

The Defender 2 is probably the #1 selling tire out there, even more so by people that care and don't just buy the cheapest tire they can, so you're probably going to get reviews all over the map if you read enough of them.

I was pretty shocked that the current crop of all-weather tires is about equal to what a snow tire was 15-20 years ago, and most of the good all season tires now are actually that, all season that can handle light snow, and ice if you don't go crazy. An all season tire used to just be marginally better than summer tires that would instantly kill you in winter weather.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

The Defender 2 is probably the #1 selling tire out there, even more so by people that care and don't just buy the cheapest tire they can, so you're probably going to get reviews all over the map if you read enough of them.

I was pretty shocked that the current crop of all-weather tires is about equal to what a snow tire was 15-20 years ago, and most of the good all season tires now are actually that, all season that can handle light snow, and ice if you don't go crazy. An all season tire used to just be marginally better than summer tires that would instantly kill you in winter weather.

My Continental true contact tour 54 all season 11/32 tread 80k tires are claimed to be good in the water and snow. They are great in rain but have not had snow to test that in the last 12k miles they have been on my truck. Stayed with 225/60 R18 and mpg is very similar to OEM Primacy. The odometer with primacy was 2 mph faster at 75mph shown on road side radar check sign and the tour 54 are spot on identical. Ever how much mpg adjustment that would result in comparison of both tire, I haven't figures up.

 

[Bob The Builder]

I've been done with that seasonal tire rotation thing for years now. Inflation now it is almost $100.00 per rotation.

 

[Riley1955]

I'm going to put the Michelin crossclimate 2 on my 26 XL in 225/65R17 (Stock) .... I just don't see how you could go wrong with Michelin and in that size they are around $200 per tire.
And as for you they do make it in the 235/60R18 and it is an A/S tire and you will have to look around for the best price but it will probably be around the 1K you are looking at spending.

 

[Master Blaster]

I've been done with that seasonal tire rotation thing for years now. Inflation now it is almost $100.00 per rotation.

The FWD puts a lot more pressure on the front tread and just drags along the rears. The AWD is 98% FWD and only engages the rear diff when the fronts are slipping. Your front tires will show far more wear than the rears. Rotate them or buy a lot more tires.

 

[NextTruck]

I initially replaced my OEM Michelins with Cooper Road and Trail, increased the size to 235/65/18. Mostly I wanted 3Peak rating and they had good reviews on Tire Rack. I thought the up size looked better, and the taller tire was a noticeable height increase. HOWEVER, the tire was about 7 pounds heavier, dropped my mileage by at least 3-4 mpg, etc. I think the extra width (more impact surface) and the 20% increase in tire weight overwhelmed the suspension. The ride was noticeable impacted in a bad way and harsh. Could have been my imagination, but I also think it was a bit harder overcoming the inertia. So, Copper has a 45-day money back satisfaction guarantee that I took advantage off. I swapped the tires for Cooper Enduramax, original size, which was also 3Peak rated. I might have maybe tried 235/60/18, but I only had a chance for one swap. I am reasonably with the tire and the swap. I think a bit larger tire looks better, but a +7 pound, wider tire was not good.

 

[Cherokee]

My Dad was weird about tires. Every other year he’d buy a pair for the front then move the old fronts to the back. I hated that method.
Then he started doing all four with regular rotations.
The old codger broke out the paperwork and the miles he logged.
Almost no cost difference considering he saved the $10 for rotation every 5,000 miles.

He stuck with rotations and four new times at a time as he got older.

 

[Cherokee]

I went to a five pound each heavier AT tire on my 2021 Bronco Sport Base with the 3 banger dragon motor. From 225 wides to 235 wides.

Max power was about 190 hp or some such number that was considerably less power than my Mav.
I lost only 1 mpg.

 

[Bob The Builder]

The FWD puts a lot more pressure on the front tread and just drags along the rears. The AWD is 98% FWD and only engages the rear diff when the fronts are slipping. Your front tires will show far more wear than the rears. Rotate them or buy a lot more tires.

The seasonal tire rotation thing I was referring to was the tire changeover from summer to winter and vice versa. 100 bucks now and gotta do it twice a year now at spring and fall. I was not referring to front to back and vice versa rotation I do every 7K miles or every other oil change while on the lift.

I actually do not care if I burn off the Pirelli's. It just means I get my Falkens sooner.

 

[NextTruck]

I went to a five pound each heavier AT tire on my 2021 Bronco Sport Base with the 3 banger dragon motor. From 225 wides to 235 wides.

Max power was about 190 hp or some such number that was considerably less power than my Mav.
I lost only 1 mpg.

Some of the Maverick logged mpg loss was related to odometer/speedometer error with the larger tires. But it seemed like I was filling up more often over a few tanks than usual. Since going back, I am going further on a tank.

 

[NextTruck]

Some of the Maverick logged mpg loss was related to odometer/speedometer error with the larger tires. But it seemed like I was filling up more often over a few tanks than usual. Since going back, I am going further on a tank.

I also had a wider (65 aspect ratio) than you are considering, so there was more rolling resistance.

 

[MaverickDragon]

My best mpg is always at the pressure that’s on the door jam.

Not doubting that, but that may not be universally true.

As you no doubt know, door sticker tire pressure is a general use compromise between ride, handling and fuel efficiency, and it's seldom when a given pressure can maximize all three factors.

You in an otherwise empty truck may be at ideal pressure for mileage using the door sticker, but that is unlikely to be the case when you have 3 hefty friends along with cargo on board.

"Ideal" tire pressure varies by the factor you wish to optimize and by the weight carried in the vehicle, so an ideal pressure number is a range rather than a constant.

 

[Christato71]

@Cherokee, I should have added a pic of my tire tread. They do have open tread blocks. I'd say these are like a mild AT tire.

What size are those?

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