I finally gave my OEM Michelins away to another inmate, and bought Bridgestone Dueler AT Ascents (3PMSF). They are only a few pounds heavier than the OEM Michelins, so I was hopeful for good fuel economy, and they have the ‘I’m in the cool club’ look to them, instead of the soccer mom look.
I started out at 33 PSI with the new Duelers, and was sorely disappointed in the fuel economy. (As previously reported many times, I’ve gotten over 30 mpg on many 200 plus mile trips on the OEM Michelins at 33 psi).
On the Duelers, I tried several pressures, 33, 34, 35, 36 PSI, but still not impressed with the fuel economy numbers.. taking a 3 to 4 mpg hit. Incidentally, at those pressures they road AWESOME!! I settled into the notion that even though they weren’t as heavy as other AT tires, I was just going To have to pay the 3-4 mpg hit on fuel economy to be in the ‘cool kids’ AT tire club.
Then I saw a YouTube video about how to determine proper inflation pressures from reading the side wall and doing simple math. I never did this with the OEM Michelins, but wish I had.
I did the math, said what the heck, and bumped the inflation pressures up to 40 PSI (cold inflation) a couple of weeks ago, and already have returned 30+ mpg on an interstate/2 lane highway trip that I had made many times in the past with the OEM Michelins and gotten the same numbers.
Running 40 PSI cold, the tire pressures rise to 42 PSI (TPMS numbers on the dash) within ten miles of driving. I haven’t done the chalk test yet, but will do so, soon. Granted the ride quality at 40 PSI (cold inflation) is not as ‘squishy’ as 33 to 36 PSI, but it is acceptable. Soon I will try 39 and 38 PSI.
OVERALL, I am very happy with the Duelers, even though technically, I don’t need anything this ‘aggressive’. But at least, I am in the cool kids camp now..
Even though these Duelers are 3PMSF rated, I also have a set of 5 Michelin Ice tires on 5 OEM 18” Toyota wheels just in case Western NC gets dumped on.
You realize that guy is a complete fn idiot with a lot of what he says. Chalk is a 50yr old relic of a concept for track. Pyrometers are cheap if you really want to do it properly. Finally at 40 psi on anyhting but an E load which needs it, you might as well wear a mouth guard and expect your centers to be bald WAAAYYY before the edges. Don't get me started.......I have heard this sh!!! come out of the mouth of tards in Challengers at track when you try to teach them. NFC what they are doing, most don't listen, most suck, most never learn...Sad truths after 25 years experience teaching..................HP is always the answer.........until a Miata dusts their sorry as$$
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