When it comes time to replace your tires, there are many choices. Some prefer “sport tires” for better performance. Some of us want to have good wet braking while there is another group that say “cheap is best”.

There are not many side by side test done in Malaysia using the same car and differenct tires. Tires being fairly expensive and very few manufactures would want to be proven to be below standard. Consumers usually rely on what the advertisement they see, forums we read and what our friends tells us. Finally we decides based on what your car friendly mechanic tells you.

To relate my experience, just last week, I drove down to Klang looking to get cheaper tires. It was a shop recommended by lots of forummers. What I wanted was low rolling resistance tires (LRR) and from what I gather, hybrid car owners overseas found that LRR do make a difference. With fuel prices skyrocketting, they make a difference. Although the brand I looking at cost more, over say 50 to 60,000 km, you will gain back what you pay. Let’s us do the maths.

I was quoted RM 285 for each LRR tire. Tire from another brand cost RM 245 each. So for 4 tires, I’ll spend an extra RM 160. Assuming that the LRR tires gave an extra 2% extra mileage. Say you get an average fuel consumption of 10km/l and travel 25,000 km in a year. (With LRR tires 2% extra means your car now gets 10.2 km/l)

For non LRR tires

25,000 km will require 2,500 liters of petrol which cost RM 6,750 (25k km divide by 10km/l X RM 2.70)

With LRR tires

25,000 km will require 2,450 liters of petrol which cost RM 6,618 (25k km divide 10.2 km/l X RM 2.70)

The difference is RM 132 in petrol cost. If you travel 30,000 km a year, the difference in price is almost broken even. If you take care of the tires and they last over 60,000 km like what mine did (I’m driving a front wheel drive car and the tires stay in front all 65,000 km plus I didn’t rotate them), you’ll end up saving money. But the guy at the shop tells me tires don’t make any difference on fuel economy!

Anyhow, here is a video testing 5 brands of tires that are above average in Malaysia aka sporty. The results are a bit surprising to say the least.

Dry Handling

Wet Handling Test

Aquaplanning Test

Test Results

Related Articles:

• Which Tires Should I Buy?
• Tire Rolling Resistance
• Checking Tire Air Pressure
• Throw The Spare Tire Get Tire Plugs
• Hybrid Nissans Coming?