2010 Auto Bild Eco Tire Test

With fuel prices sky high, "Eco Tires" (or ultra low rolling resistance tires) are a hot topic. Traditionally eco tires have been just like normal tires only with a harder rubber compound. While this is an effective way to save fuel, the harder the tires compound the less grip it produces meaning people were having to consider whether the risk of low grip tires was worth the savings in fuel.

This month Autobild have tested 5 of the latest eco tires to see if the new breed of fuel saving tires were any better. Unfortunately their conclusion isn't good, summarising with "the greater the fuel saving, the worse the wet weather performance."

To rate the tires Autobild looked at the tires wet grip, dry grip and potential fuel savings over 35,000kms. To confirm the "the more fuel saved the worse the wet grip is" rule the Michelin Energy Saver offered the highest fuel savings (217euros) but the worst wet grip. The only tire to buck the trend was the Pirelli Cinturato P7 which managed to balance grip and economy, winning the test overall.

Here are the full results:

1^st

Pirelli CINTURATO P7

205/55 r16

• 3PMSF: no

Impressive all-rounder with satisfactory savings. Harmonious driving characteristics with stable cornering and short braking distances on wet and dry roads. Good ride comfort and a low rolling noise.

None mentioned.

Total: 9

Dry 5

Wet 4

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2^nd

Bridgestone Turanza ER300 Ecopia

205/55 r16

• 3PMSF: no

Dynamic sporty handling with short braking distances on dry and wet roads, large safety reserves with a low rolling noise and aquaplaning.

Limited fuel saving potential.

Total: 8

Dry 4

Wet 4

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3^rd

Nokian V

205/55 r16

• 3PMSF: no

Balanced safe handling characteristics on wet and dry roads, high safety reserves in standing water, short braking distances in the wet, satisfying fuel saving potential.

Slightly reduced ride comfort.

Total: 7

Dry 4

Wet 3

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4^th

Goodyear EfficientGrip

205/55 r16

• 3PMSF: no

Low rolling resistance, high fuel-saving potential, short braking distances on dry roads, good ride comfort.

Limited cornering on wet and dry roads and long wet stopping distance.

Total: 6

Dry 2

Wet 4

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5^th

Michelin Energy Saver

205/55 r16

• 3PMSF: no

Low rolling resistance, high fuel-saving potential, dynamic driving characteristics on dry roads.

Extended stopping distances and understeer on a wet road surface, reduced aquaplaning safety reserves.

Total: 6

Dry 1

Wet 5

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