Changing tires cause mpg????

[tightcamry129]

Hey I guys, I have a 2000 Camry CE manual tranny first of all, and I have an issue. Before with my ESSENZA Type R's 215 45 17, I had great gas mileage, almost reaching 500 miles everytime after a fill up. Now I changed to different tires and different size 215 50 17 to FUZION Hri's and gas mileage is awful now. I just had to fill up at 440 miles. I mean that's 50 to 60 miles difference. Is that normal? By the way, the tires have been balanced aligned, mounted professionally to take those variables out of the equation.

[joandjo]

Let's see... So, the change is from 215/45R17 to 215/50R17.
If I take 205/65R15 as stock setup (at least for my '92 3vz-fe), 215/45R17 is 3.4% smaller in diameter than stock, and 215/50R17 is only 0.1% smaller than stock (http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html). So you better be with 215/50R17.

Regarding the gas mileage, my best bet is your odometer error due to the different tire size. Since 215/45R17 is 3.4% smaller than stock, it will give you more mile reading. For example, if you drive 100 miles, your odometer will say you drove 103.4 miles... So, 3.4% of 500 miles are 17 miles.

The rest 43 miles may come from
a) better torque from smaller tire
b) or, you need tune up soon....

[jackfrost1031]

or the tire pressure is low causing higher rolling resistance.

[Knailgun]

gas mileage?? you lose mileage with the upgraded tires, softer compounds make for less tire life but better grip...same principle with a motorcycle. I got 450 to the tank with my stock 15"s on my camry...went with falken ziex 512's 21540 zr17, and now I am happy to see 400 the tank

[Knailgun]

I used avids on my old 16"s...good tires...they don't wear long though...damn you yokohama...hope it works out Pete

[BullMarket]

^avid touring's have a 620 tread rating...I suspect some going on

BULLMKT