This is what our story is dedicated to, as they say, based on real events. The setting is Finland, the Nokian test track for summer tires.
We were invited here to learn more about the term aquaplaning. But during the tests, we were particularly interested in something else – namely rolling resistance. Using the example of Nokian Hakka Blue summer tires, we were shown how far the same car can coast when fitted with these and other tires. The difference in distance was almost 30 percent, which could be dismissed as a marketing trick, since the Hakka Blue is positioned as a tire with an ultra-low coefficient. But does rolling resistance really have such a strong impact on fuel consumption? Watch the video and you will find out:
If you delve deeper into the study of rolling resistance, it becomes clear why many tire buyers in Europe are interested in this parameter. The answer is simple: unlike us, Europeans have already calculated that easy rolling not only reduces CO2 emissions but also leads to lower fuel consumption. By how much? It depends on the type of vehicle and engine, but according to the latest ADAC research, even if the engine displacement does not exceed 2 liters, installing tires with low rolling resistance can reduce average fuel consumption by up to one and a half to two liters! That is 25-30 hryvnias per 100 kilometers or about 300 hryvnias per thousand. Over a season, you can save as much as 2500-3000 hryvnias. That is no longer a trifle, right?
The second important point that helps save fuel with the help of wheels is pressure. If the internal tire pressure is too low, it is harder to control the vehicle's movement. In turn, the wheels change shape, which worsens their contact with the road surface. This leads to additional heat generation and faster wear. Fuel consumption also increases. Therefore, you should always set the internal tire pressure level according to the load. When going on vacation in a car packed with things, you should increase the internal pressure level. Conversely, if the car is empty, the pressure should be reduced, according to the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer.
Third. In order for your summer tires to maintain their characteristics, you should properly care for them, and first of all, monitor their wear. When the tread groove depth becomes less than 4 mm, it means the tire is no longer safe for driving on wet roads, as traction with the wet road surface and resistance to aquaplaning significantly decrease. When driving through corners, worn tires (with indicators: tread depth less than 1.6 mm, water level on the road 5 mm) begin to slide at a speed of 76 km/h, while new tires have an initial sliding speed of 96 km/h.
"Drive wheels wear out much faster than freely rotating tires. To equalize wear, you should swap the front and rear wheels every 7-8 thousand km" - says Matti Morri, head of technical customer support at Nokian Tyres.
The tire surface can also wear unevenly. If the tread depth on the outside is, for example, 6 mm, there is a chance that the groove depth on the inside may differ. Excessive wear on the shoulder zone of the tire is often an indicator of very low internal tire pressure, incorrect wheel alignment, or worn shock absorbers.
Monitor tire pressure, adjust it depending on the load, and do not skimp on rubber. It does not matter if it is Nokian or not, it is better to pay once for good tires with low rolling resistance and save on every hundred kilometers than to spend money at the gas station and risk your life on the road...
