TraumaRN
Diamond Member
Let me start this thread with a giant disclaimer. This is a not a call out thread. Not a thread to mock. Not a thread to get myself or anyone else banned. This is a serious thread about my experiences.
So many of your know I have a Ford Fusion Hybrid. I've had it for 2 years and it now has 46,000 miles on it. My lifetime average is about 45MPG.
Stock OEM tires that I just finally replaced today were Michelin Energy MXV4 S8, they are P225/50R17 93V size wise. Rated for 45,000miles. I got 46,000 miles out of them with 4/32nds tread left on all tires. The entire time I had them inflated to 44psi which is according to the tire max sidewall.
Driving time was mostly highway with some dirt road driving and typical Michigan weather(as in snow rain sleet in the winter and mostly dry driving in the summer)
I found that having them inflated to max sidewall make the hard bumps a little harder but also make the car feel more nimble. Makes for a very smooth and quiet ride on the highway, although some of that can be attributed to the tires being touring tires. Wet/ice/snow covered roads were never a problem once moving but sometimes lots of potential wheelspin when trying to go from a stop. Some of that is definitely related to the tread pattern, I doubt it had much to do with the tire pressure, although less of a contact patch might cause it as well. Some hydroplaning noted on occasion but nothing that lifting off the gas pedal couldn't fix.
I personally asked Discount Tire to check for uneven wear. There was none. No bulging on the sidewalls. No weirdness at all. The tires looked fine save for the normal tread wear.
Overall conclusion: Slightly harsher ride, probable better MPG and slightly decreased wet weather handling. And no issues with uneven treadwear.
Replaced the tires with a slightly less expensive alternative but which should provide me better wet/snow/ice traction in winter time due to the asymmetrical tread pattern. Continental ExtremeContact DWS, 225/50ZR17 94W BSW. So far I've noticed maybe a 1mpg drop in mileage. These tires are also are quieter then the tires they replaced. Max PSI on these is 51PSI but I have them inflated to 45PSI for now until I've broken them in a little more.
So many of your know I have a Ford Fusion Hybrid. I've had it for 2 years and it now has 46,000 miles on it. My lifetime average is about 45MPG.
Stock OEM tires that I just finally replaced today were Michelin Energy MXV4 S8, they are P225/50R17 93V size wise. Rated for 45,000miles. I got 46,000 miles out of them with 4/32nds tread left on all tires. The entire time I had them inflated to 44psi which is according to the tire max sidewall.
Driving time was mostly highway with some dirt road driving and typical Michigan weather(as in snow rain sleet in the winter and mostly dry driving in the summer)
I found that having them inflated to max sidewall make the hard bumps a little harder but also make the car feel more nimble. Makes for a very smooth and quiet ride on the highway, although some of that can be attributed to the tires being touring tires. Wet/ice/snow covered roads were never a problem once moving but sometimes lots of potential wheelspin when trying to go from a stop. Some of that is definitely related to the tread pattern, I doubt it had much to do with the tire pressure, although less of a contact patch might cause it as well. Some hydroplaning noted on occasion but nothing that lifting off the gas pedal couldn't fix.
I personally asked Discount Tire to check for uneven wear. There was none. No bulging on the sidewalls. No weirdness at all. The tires looked fine save for the normal tread wear.
Overall conclusion: Slightly harsher ride, probable better MPG and slightly decreased wet weather handling. And no issues with uneven treadwear.
Replaced the tires with a slightly less expensive alternative but which should provide me better wet/snow/ice traction in winter time due to the asymmetrical tread pattern. Continental ExtremeContact DWS, 225/50ZR17 94W BSW. So far I've noticed maybe a 1mpg drop in mileage. These tires are also are quieter then the tires they replaced. Max PSI on these is 51PSI but I have them inflated to 45PSI for now until I've broken them in a little more.
