Low Rolling Resistance tyres
May 21, 2012 9:50 AM 
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You might take a look at the reviews and ratings at Tire Track. They're my go to site for all things tire-related. I don't know if they cover the UK tire market though.
>What sort of % fuel saving do they give?
You shouldn't expect miracles. Brand new LRR tyres will have worse rolling resistance than an old worn set of normal tyres. When you are comparing two sets of tyres of equal wear the LRRs will give you an extra % or two of MPG (for each 10% reduction in rolling resistance you will see roughly 1% reduction in fuel usage).
I personally like the Michelin Energy Savers. But the Eco Contact 3 will probably give you roughly the same fuel saving.
My gf car picked up 2 mpg just by installing the 5th gen civic vx rims with 155/80-13 tires. I have a friend that uses the kumho kr22 eco tires and when we had challenges he always won.
Just by switching to another set of normal tires? Are you sure that the tires weren't just larger diameter? If you switch to larger diameter tires, your speedo and odo will both read high, and when you fill up, you'll think you've traveled farther, which means inflated MPG figures. Unless of course you account for that by adjusting your tripometer number.
>If you switch to larger diameter tires, your speedo and odo will both read high,
Actually no, they'll read low not high.
He's gone for narrow tyres with high profile rubber, which will give better rolling resistance than the same tyres on wide rims with low profile.
Also, if you do pick larger diameter tyres, and adjust for it (with a GPS or whatever), you should find that MPG improves slightly due to the higher gearing effect it provides.
Right, and whether they are larger or smaller, without scaling your tripometer miles appropriately, you have no way of knowing whether they are helping, hurting, or just plain not doing anything.
Michelin Primacy HP
Michelin Primacy MXV4
Michelin Defender
Continental ContiTouring Contact
Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max
All those are reputable LRR tires. I would opt for the Michelin although you'll pay a premium for them compared to other brands.
I had these tyres on my Panda, but they were 155/70 13" from memory! That's also the car i got 82 MPG in so there could be some truth in these things.
On the down side, they are hard, noisy and grip was poor. Economy, or comfort/grip choose wisely!
I bought and had installed on my wife's Mazda MPV Minivan a set of LRR Goodyear Tires about 6 months ago. Truth be known, I haven't seen any difference in mileage or fuel economy over the previous set of tires. My thought on replacing them the next time they're worn out is that while it probably can't hurt to use LRR tires, if they're the same or close on price I'll get them again, if they're much more, I'll go with the traditional rolling resistance tires and take my chances.
The fuel saving on LRRs is modest but as a rough rule of thumb should cover the price of the tyres over the life of the tyre.
Of course the really important thing is to check that your tyres are never underinflated (regardless of whether they are LRRs or not).
Looking for data on LRR tyres is going to be tough, there are many variables to consider what is actively assisting in aiding better fuel efficiency.
To be quite honest, some claims I have seen regarding LRR tyres can be perceived as misleading.
I have figures from my mates Holden Astra AH diesel station wagon, but...he drives in rural Australia. Posting results and figures of increased fuel economy achieved would differ to what others may experience in other locations.
Though, I can give you a rough idea...
His priorities consist of a comfortable quiet premium touring tyre without any compromise to grip and handling, after some research and pricing he came across the Michelin Primacy LC 205/55/16 91W rated as an ‘Eco tyre’.
The increase in fuel economy has been much better than expected as compared to previous results on other sets of tyres. Originally the findings were first met with scepticism, but consistent figures have ruled this out.... including the ‘placebo effect.’
The LRR Michelin addresses a wide range of expectations people traditionally expect in a tyre, there has also been noticeable advantages with comfort, sound levels and tyre wear.
Overall.... in his situation the economics of the tyres has been a favourable, positive, and a warranted choice.
The benefits are there, it’s basically a matter of looking at your situation in regards to your vehicle use and how to use them to your advantage.
Is there a way to get rolling resistance info about motorcycle tires? The only thing I know that my present Heidenau K73 set seems to have higher RR (and also reads less distance, because of different diameter, I guess) than the previous Metzeler Z6 pair. I've never had a 90mpg+ tank since I have these on Teresa, my BMW F650CS.
I'd like to get something else when these wear off, probably Michelin Pilot Road 3. It has harder compound in the middle so it wears slower, but I don't know how do they compare in RR to my present tires. Metzeler Z8 can be another alternative, Z6 was a good one regarding tire life (but had definitely worse traction at winter).
