Tire Question

[Busdriver]

Good thread, and one I've fallen down the same rabbit hole on. You haven't missed a secret database. There's no clean NA rolling-resistance source, but you can triangulate it:

1. EU tire label: same tires sold in NA often carry an A-E rolling-resistance class in the EU. Check the maker's EU site.
2. Maker spec sheets: Nokian, Michelin, Continental list kg/t for some lines in their EU technical docs.
3. Independent tests: Tyre Reviews and ADAC measure RR in parts of their testing.
4. Real-world data: the kWh-tracking someone posted beats any label for your commute. We need that crowd-sourced spreadsheet.

For the great white north, go all-weather, not all-season. All-seasons get moody below ~45F; an all-weather (Nokian WRG-type) handles snow without a second swap.

On the 5% range claim: plausible on steady highway miles, but cold and mixed driving eat most of it. "Low RR = hard and slick" is fair, but modern silica EV compounds hold grip fine. The trade is treadwear and deep-snow bite, not skating off the road.

If you jump to 205/55R16 for more choice, watch strut clearance. That's why some run spacers and longer bolts. Personal call vs just going 17s.

Curious what you land on. I still second-guess this every spring.

So here is my Lite Beer between all season and all weather. I'm assessing just how many days here in NW OH that are actually
below 7/45. Being retired, just not seeing the situation where I'm blazing a path through snow packed roads.
I hate giving up much range if I don't need to, and plenty do get by with the all season.
I've been chasing my tail trying to cross reference NA tires with EU. I like the idea of real world spreadsheet, why I brought this up.
I definitely can't see going to 16 rims, at least for now. (never say never)

 

[Zim]

So, is anyone running 205/55R16 without spacers? 205s are more plentiful than 195s. I’m still using my original Hankook summer tires May-October on the 16-inch OEM Victory Spoke wheels. I bought (cheap!) a second set of 16-inch wheels (Loop Spoke) for winter use. Will we all eventually be forced to either buy off-brand 16-inch compatible tires or move up to 17-inch wheels?

I was running 205/55R16 Vredestein Hitrac AS for a bit, no spacers, didn't notice any rubbing. Efficiency took a slight hit over the OE Hankook Summer, but as tread wore down the efficiency matched the OE set. I'm now running Conti DWS 06 plus (205/50/R16), and yeah, it's a substantial efficiency hit, but the fun factor falls between the OE summer and Hitrac AS, though the ride comfort on the DWS 06 is superior. Also no rubbing on the DWS 06 205/50 R16 after a winter of thrashing it around, but strut clearance is minimal.