How does the tyre make a difference with fuel savings?

Negative forces are applied to a vehicle when it moves and need to be compensated, this generates fuel consumption.

Tyres represent about one-third of the total force which must be overcome by the engine.

Why does the tyre affect fuel consumption?

- Tyres are made from various rubber compounds

- Rubber by it’s very basic properties, tends to absorb some energy when flexed – think of the tyre as a rubber ball (both are made from the same material!)

- When the rubber ball is dropped to the ground it does not rebound as high as it was launched. Each successive bounce is lower and lower.

- The height of each bounce is lower because the rubber absorbs some energy each time it strikes the ground.

- Like the ball, energy is dissipated when a tyre rolls on the ground and is deformed.
- This phenomenon is called Rolling Resistance and causes a resistive force which must be overcome by the engine.

Fuel Consumption is also greatly affected by the conditions of use for the vehicle.

TYRE CONTRIBUTION to Fuel Consumption by usage segments

Tyre contribution to fuel consumption is the most significant on usages in highway / expressway services. Therefore, a low rolling resistance drive product for long distance vehicles will clearly bring significant fuel consumption reductions to users.

Write up for Fuel Test.

To prove the fuel saving capability of Michelin radial tyres, a controlled fuel efficiency test was conducted with a major local fleet operator.

2 similar tractors (prime movers) were used for the test. 1 was fitted with Michelin radials (tractor and trailer) whilst the other was fitted with bias (nylon cross ply) tyres.

A total of 4 laps of 89 km each were completed during the test on major expressways. The vehicles were driven together at controlled speeds and 100 m apart as not to create slip-streaming effect. At the end of each lap, either the drivers or tyres were swapped across the vehicles. This was to ensure that effects of driver behaviour or vehicle fuel efficiency would be cancelled out. The objective was to determine only the fuel efficiency effect of the tyres.

During the test, our results show that the Michelin radial tyres managed a fuel saving of 11.8%. Fuel efficiency was 4 km/litre.

Assuming the tyres lasted and average of only 80,000 km, the vehicle would have used 20,000 litres of diesel during that time. Taking diesel at $0.80 per litre, diesel cost would be $16,000. 11.8% savings would have gotten savings of $1,888.

Actual savings may vary according to vehicle, driving conditions and driving style.

Testimonial for Michelin Radial Tyre Test

Dear Sir

This is to certify that we have used 18 tyres of 10.00 R20 XZE2 Michelin radial in my tractor and have a fuel saving of 11.8% when compare with bias tyres.

Both vehicles travel on same distance with tyres switching in the mid of the test. Michelin radial achieve 4 km/litre of fuel compare to bias with 3.54km/litre of fuel.

I am really satisfied with the fuel saving capacity of Michelin radial as claim by the company. Bok Seng Logistics run a big fleets and fuel consumption is always a key cost in our operation. With the rising of fuel price, I am convince that if more of my fleet are using Michelin radial, I would benefit from more saving in fuel cost and reduce my operating cost.

Regards

Bok Seng Logistics Pte Ltd

Darren Ng

Engineering Manager