I am looking to get a set of 15" (195-55-r50) tires for my summer wheels. We upgraded the 14" hubcap rims to 15" Rota group N's. We already have a dedicated set of snow tires, so these will only be for spring/summer/fall use. What kind of design has less rolling resistance? The blocky type passenger tires, or the aggressive high performance v grooved tires? For a 99 Civic EX. 3 examples of tire designs I am looking at;
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...64522
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...80386
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...53931

 

Probably the ones with the least void which would be performance summer tires. More rubber, more friction.

 

I would look for the highest treadwear rating tire, if low rolling resistance is the goal. The longer the tire lasts, the less grip it can provide (as a general rule, not always the case though).

I've read that wide tires have less rolling resistance, due to sidewall deformation. I've also read that wider tires present greater aero drag. Only first hand knowledge there that I have is that my car with 400 treadwear 155/80-13s manages 50+mpg out of a 1.6 liter, in a convertible that can't be very aerodynamic.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 85ZC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I am looking to get a set of 15" (195-55-r50) tires for my summer wheels.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think you mean 195/55-15. Unless you got those 50-inch wheels for your tires.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 85ZC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">We already have a dedicated set of snow tires, so these will only be for spring/summer/fall use. What kind of design has less rolling resistance? The blocky type passenger tires, or the aggressive high performance v grooved tires? For a 99 Civic EX. 3 examples of tire designs I am looking at;
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...64522
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...80386
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...53931</TD></TR></TABLE>

I don't think there's a whole lot of difference in rolling resistance when comparing different tires that are the same size.

But I have a question for you: Since you already have a set of winter tires for winter use, why are you considering all-season tires for the rest of the year, instead of summer tires, which will give you better performance? (The first two tires you list are all-season tires. And really crappy all-seasons, too.)

If I wanted to buy 195/55-15 summer tires, assuming you care about treadlife and/or rain grip in addition to dry performance, I'd choose the Yokohama S.drive, $66/tire at the Tire Rack. It's basically about as good as that Toyo, but a lot cheaper.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by alphalanos &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Probably the ones with the least void which would be performance summer tires. More rubber, more friction.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I was told recently by some tire company engineers that the void ratio in tires is set by the DOT and doesn't vary from one tire to another. I don't know if that's true, but that's what they said.

 

Yeah, sorry about the typo. I am sleep deprived. I am using 195-55-15 tires. I keep the 50 inch tires on the CRX. I have 2 sets because I am a field technician and drive all day call to call for a living. I have tried all season tires and none perform well enough in the snow when I go out into the country. I don't get to stay home when it snows. Last year when the all season tires wore down I put on snow tires which are great in winter but I don't want to wear them out too fast. The snow tires go on in mid november, and come off early-mid march. I get about 33mpg in an auto 99 Civic EX, and I am trying things to impove mileage. One economy based site said to use low rolling resistance tires but didn't specify how to find their rolling resistance. Also to add a few lbs of air pressure into the tire. The Rotas are pretty light, and I got them dirt cheap so they are here to stay. I also added some acetone (2oz) to each tank. This seemed to work fine on my Sentra test mule for a year with no ill effects. I tend to think the denser blocky tires would have less resistance since they are generally situated in rows, but the v grooved tires seem more aerodynamic at breaking thru the air when water isn't going thru the channels. I did email tire rack since I got my snow tires from them, with no response yet. I figured the HT guys are pretty knowledgable, so it never hurts to ask. I have been trying to find a AWD Civic wagon or CR-V I can afford but nothing yet.