255 vs 285

[jsmith21]

Okay I know you guys are sick and tired of hearing about tires probably but I have a question. I currently have 255/75r17 Goodyear MTR Kevlars. Great tire, but it's honestly way more aggressive of a tire than I need. I drive a good bit, and when I first got my 4Runner I was averaging around 400 miles a tank. Since adding the MTR's, I'm lucky to get 300-320..and yes that's factoring in the different tire diameter conversion ratio. Oddly enough this didn't change any when I put my lift on. Now I know a 4Runner is not the vehicle to be worried about MPG in, but I'd like to get the best possible for the situation. Also I gained more out of my lift than I thought I would, and my 32's look a little small. So I've decided I want to move into the world of 33's. Would a 255/80r17 or a 285/70r17 yield better gas milage? I want a tire that has lower rolling resistance than the MTR's, and about the same weight or lighter. My theory on why I lost so much milage with the MTR is because it has a high rolling resistance, I mean just look at the tread there are HUGE voids. They also weigh 14 more pounds than my stock ones did (38 vs 52) Not sure which has a bigger effect on gas milage though. The two tires I have in mind are the Cooper ST MAXX and the Toyo AT2. The Cooper is available in the 255 and the 285 variant, weighing 51 pounds and 55 pounds, respectively. The Toyo is available in 285 only weighing 48 pounds for the P-Rated version and 56 pounds for the LT with thicker tread. So which tire would give the best gas milage? I don't know which tire would have a lower rolling resistance, which is what I would think would effect gas milage at the end of the day. I'd think that they would all do as good if not better than what I have now, but I don't know, I'm no tire expert. Sorry for any rambling. Thanks :biggrin2:

 

[4Running Daily]

255 will be better on gas due to less friction with the ground. The 285 has 40 more mm of tread touching the ground at any given moment, increasing the amount of static friction between the road and your tires. More friction = Worst MPG.

 

[TOY2G]

Okay I know you guys are sick and tired of hearing about tires probably but I have a question. I currently have 255/75r17 Goodyear MTR Kevlars. Great tire, but it's honestly way more aggressive of a tire than I need. I drive a good bit, and when I first got my 4Runner I was averaging around 400 miles a tank. Since adding the MTR's, I'm lucky to get 300-320..and yes that's factoring in the different tire diameter conversion ratio. Oddly enough this didn't change any when I put my lift on. Now I know a 4Runner is not the vehicle to be worried about MPG in, but I'd like to get the best possible for the situation. Also I gained more out of my lift than I thought I would, and my 32's look a little small. So I've decided I want to move into the world of 33's. Would a 255/80r17 or a 285/70r17 yield better gas milage? I want a tire that has lower rolling resistance than the MTR's, and about the same weight or lighter. My theory on why I lost so much milage with the MTR is because it has a high rolling resistance, I mean just look at the tread there are HUGE voids. They also weigh 14 more pounds than my stock ones did (38 vs 52) Not sure which has a bigger effect on gas milage though. The two tires I have in mind are the Cooper ST MAXX and the Toyo AT2. The Cooper is available in the 255 and the 285 variant, weighing 51 pounds and 55 pounds, respectively. The Toyo is available in 285 only weighing 48 pounds for the P-Rated version and 56 pounds for the LT with thicker tread. So which tire would give the best gas milage? I don't know which tire would have a lower rolling resistance, which is what I would think would effect gas milage at the end of the day. I'd think that they would all do as good if not better than what I have now, but I don't know, I'm no tire expert. Sorry for any rambling. Thanks :biggrin2:

As mentioned above the 255 will get better gas mileage due to several factors, one being less friction, two being lower weight per tire, three being less wind resistance per tire do to smaller section width.

The 255 will have a higher PSI on the ground and this aids in better wet or ice traction. The 285s will have better floatation, so they will be better for sand an mud.

But bottom line, the 255s will net you better MPG than the 285, even if marginally.

Cooper now offers a 255 in the ST/MAXX

 

[jsmith21]

As mentioned above the 255 will get better gas mileage due to several factors, one being less friction, two being lower weight per tire, three being less wind resistance per tire do to smaller section width.

The 255 will have a higher PSI on the ground and this aids in better wet or ice traction. The 285s will have better floatation, so they will be better for sand an mud.

But bottom line, the 255s will net you better MPG than the 285, even if marginally.

Cooper now offers a 255 in the ST/MAXX

So the 285's would be worse than my 255's I have now even though its a less aggressive tread pattern? I'm torn between the 255 and 285 ST MAXX. 285's would look better but I'd like to gain back a little gas milage if possible.

 

[TOY2G]

So the 285's would be worse than my 255's I have now even though its a less aggressive tread pattern? I'm torn between the 255 and 285 ST MAXX. 285's would look better but I'd like to gain back a little gas milage if possible.

Correct, the tread pattern will play little if any role in the MPG, reason being; the MT have more wind resistance simply because they have more voids and abrupt angles for the wind to push past, so the AT will have less wind resistance, but it will be canceled out by the fact that the AT will have more rubber touching the road at any given time, increasing the friction.

If you go with the 285 your MPG will drop....if you want to know how I know, look in my photo album... I'm running the 285 coopers now. But I already own the 255s and they will go on this summer.

 

[S p a r k y]

My opinion the 285 Toyo AT2 will have better MPG than others because of the P rate and less aggressive tread!

 

[jsmith21]

Correct, the tread pattern will play little if any role in the MPG, reason being; the MT have more wind resistance simply because they have more voids and abrupt angles for the wind to push past, so the AT will have less wind resistance, but it will be canceled out by the fact that the AT will have more rubber touching the road at any given time, increasing the friction.

If you go with the 285 your MPG will drop....if you want to know how I know, look in my photo album... I'm running the 285 coopers now. But I already own the 255s and they will go on this summer.

Well, crap, not what I wanted to hear. I'll have to see how you like the 255/80's. I have 255/75 now and I think they look small but then again I need some wheel spacers to push them out some and taller tires. I assume the 255 and 285 are pretty close to the same height? Everything I've seen makes it look that way. Thanks for the input!

My opinion the 285 Toyo AT2 will have better MPG than others because of the P rate and less aggressive tread!

See I had kinda thought that too, and they're about 5 pounds lighter... I dunno

 

[TOY2G]

My opinion the 285 Toyo AT2 will have better MPG than others because of the P rate and less aggressive tread!

The less aggressive thread is negligible, the fuel savings will be if the 285s weigh less than the LT 255s. I suspect they will weigh about the same, leaving the op with a tire that has the same weight, but more friction, and less traction.


OP, just decide if the looks of the 285 are worth the MPG drop, if they are not, the your mid is made up. You cannot change physics, wind resistance and friction coefficient will not change because you hope they will, the face of a 285 will always have to push more wind (x4) than a 255, and an AT (with less tread voids) will alway have more friction that translates into rolling resistance.

 

[S p a r k y]

[MENTION=98814]jsmith21[/MENTION] check this article out, just found it! Similar sizes! I still believe the 285 Toyo is your best bet! I believe some others on here may be able to help with it!

MPG, Fuel Economy, Tire Width, and Treads No. 1 | RoadTraveler.net

 

[jsmith21]

[MENTION=98814]jsmith21[/MENTION] check this article out, just found it! Similar sizes! I still believe the 285 Toyo is your best bet! I believe some others on here may be able to help with it!

MPG, Fuel Economy, Tire Width, and Treads No. 1 | RoadTraveler.net

That's funny, I've read that article a million times, and it's the reason why I think tread pattern may have a lot to do with it... I think the tread pattern of my MTR's is just awful concerning fuel economy. I get around 15-16 no matter what and I would expect to get around 18 or so. I just hope I don't lose anymore moving up to 33's.

 

[cloudrunner]

Just to give you some perspective, I consistently get 16 mpg's with my 285/70/17 Terra Grapplers.

 

[S p a r k y]

Last time I checked, 3/4 was highway I was getting 16.5 with 285 Dura's

 

[absolute yota]

I just switched from 285 65 18 Falken ATs to 255 80 17 KM2s. Even with the much more aggressive tread pattern the 255s give 2 mpg better and not only that but I can also feel a huge difference in braking and acceleration. The biggest improvement is the steering feels much easier so the rack is obviously less strained . I was iffy about going from 285 to 255 80 17 but ill never go back to wide tires.

 

[ebg18t]

I ran 255's for a while. The mpg was slightly better than my current 285's. The 255's were great off-road in a variety of conditions. The 285's are much better in the sugar sand I frequent now. Dry road handling is better on my current AT tires compared to my prior 255 MT's.

Each setup has pros:cons. Just need to pick the option with the least amount of compromises for your conditions.

 

[absolute yota]

The cooper ST MAXX in 255 would probably work good for you . I agree with the last post, in sand 255s would suck but i rarely do sand so its a non issue for me

 

[jsmith21]

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm pretty decided on the ST MAXX..I just can't decide between 255 or 285. I wish I could run both before I decide for sure. If I could gain mpg back with 255 I'd go that route but it's hard to tell before hand. Decisions decisions..

 

[hearno]

I'm getting 255/80 as soon as my 255/75 bfgs wear out. I'm happy with the skinny performance but would like a 33 inch tire hence the planned upgrade.

 

[S p a r k y]

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm pretty decided on the ST MAXX..I just can't decide between 255 or 285. I wish I could run both before I decide for sure. If I could gain mpg back with 255 I'd go that route but it's hard to tell before hand. Decisions decisions..

If your set on the ST MAXX, then definitely the 255/80 with have better MPG than the 285 no doubt!

 

[jsmith21]

If your set on the ST MAXX, then definitely the 255/80 with have better MPG than the 285 no doubt!

I agree, I'm just curious if my mpg will go up any between the swap. I would hope so because its a good bit less aggressive tread, same width, and a pound lighter. But who knows.

 

[S p a r k y]

I agree, I'm just curious if my mpg will go up any between the swap. I would hope so because its a good bit less aggressive tread, same width, and a pound lighter. But who knows.

I would say no, you probably won't see any change.