So many of the true economy cars have small, thin tires. I was just wondering if we could greatly increase the MPGs on the HHR with smaller tires. Would it adversely affect the performance and handling of the vehicle! The stock tires are extremely wide for the size of the vehicle.

Just a thought!

Keeping the correct tire pressure would save you more. Reducing the width of the tires would lessen the weight and the amount of friction contact to the road, but going on a diet would do the same thing, at least in my case. :D As far as handling and the "ride feel" would be sacrificed with thinner tires. Just my 2¢.

There is an energy saver tire by Michelin called Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus. They come in the right OE size for the 16" HHR wheels, I think. But they never show as an available tire for HHR in any online tire browsers like Tirerack.com features. The wife's VW TDI has them from the factory and I think maybe Toyota uses them on the Prius but I'm not sure. They don't feel like a fuel economy tire, based on how her TDI handles on them-- they handle quite well... they are fitted as 205/55HR16's on her VW. I would seek the advice of a professional tire shop (that sells Michelin plus multiple other brands) before having them installed on an HHR, though.

There is an energy saver tire by Michelin called Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus. They come in the right OE size for the 16" HHR wheels, I think. But they never show as an available tire for HHR in any online tire browsers like Tirerack.com features. The wife's VW TDI has them from the factory and I think maybe Toyota uses them on the Prius but I'm not sure. They don't feel like a fuel economy tire, based on how her TDI handles on them-- they handle quite well... they are fitted as 205/55HR16's on her VW. I would seek the advice of a professional tire shop (that sells Michelin plus multiple other brands) before having them installed on an HHR, though.

Those tires were OEM on my 03 Accord. They SUCK in snow, especially after they have a few miles on them (but are nowhere near worn out). They had a great ride, but lost traction really easily. Plus I noticed no fuel hit when I changed them out for Falken ZE-512's. They're expensive as hell too.

Fuel economy is bettered by lower rolling resistance which is partly a function of tire construction,compound,and air pressure.A narrower tire,with all else being equal,increases loading for a given contact patch size which would increase rolling resistance.

The Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S are GREAT in the snow and on wet pavement.

More important than size/width of the tire is the construction and compounds used, as ZTony had mentioned.

There was a report that was issued by a "Green" organization that studies low resistance tires and found that up to 6% in fuel savings could be gained by using lower resistance tires.

http://greenseal.org/resources/reports/CGR_tire_rollingresistance.pdf

Smaller tires? Hmmmm :lol:

Good find on the Greenseal PDF. Saved it to my archives.



More important than size/width of the tire is the construction and compounds used, as ZTony had mentioned.

There was a report that was issued by a "Green" organization that studies low resistance tires and found that up to 6% in fuel savings could be gained by using lower resistance tires.

http://greenseal.org/resources/reports/CGR_tire_rollingresistance.pdf

I just overinflated mine to 35 psi and picked up 3-5 mpg highway. YMMV, but I think you'd have to wait longer for your return on investment on new, narrower tires.

I already had to replace two of my tires so I won't be buying any very soon. I just thought it was weird that the HHR has such wide tires when most other economical cars have thinner ones. I know so many people who have put big wide tires on pickups then complained about the mileage.

I already had to replace two of my tires so I won't be buying any very soon. I just thought it was weird that the HHR has such wide tires when most other economical cars have thinner ones. I know so many people who have put big wide tires on pickups then complained about the mileage.

Did they recalibrate their speedometer? If not, they would be complaining about lousy mileage and getting lots of speeding tickets :lol:

I already had to replace two of my tires so I won't be buying any very soon. I just thought it was weird that the HHR has such wide tires when most other economical cars have thinner ones. I know so many people who have put big wide tires on pickups then complained about the mileage.

Keep in mind that the HHR is heavier and is designed to carry more than a typical economy car. Narrower tires may be more economical, but they cannot carry as high a load per tire. Also, the HHR is a taller vehicle with a higher center of gravity and the wider tires help with handling stability. Ever notice how all the other Delta cars have four-lug hubs in their non-performance versions and the HHR has five-lugs? Five-lug hubs can support greater loads than four-hubs.

The real reason the HHR has wider tires has more to do with looks than load carrying ability. The entire premise of the HHR is all about looking like mini customized hot rod in an affordable, and reasonably economic package. Granted, a truly old style rod will have skinny tires. But most any custom from the last 30 years has wide tires.

For a small car, the HHR handles pretty well. Personally, I'll sacrifice a small mileage gain for the better handling characteristics of the wider tires, and the better look as well.

The real reason the HHR has wider tires has more to do with looks than load carrying ability.

Um, no. GM didn't throw 5-lug wheels on the car because they "look" better. The HHR is designed for utility, not just looks. The increase weight, carrying capacity, and handling characteristics mandate a larger wheel/tire combo.

I always thought heavy loads required more tire pressure, not width. I think wider tires are for acceleration, and lower profile for cornering.

I always thought heavy loads required more tire pressure, not width. I think wider tires are for acceleration, and lower profile for cornering.

Nope. Each tire has to handle a certain share of the load. Lower profile tires ARE better for handling, but you lose a lot of load capacity when you remove that much rubber. The 215/55 series tire is both wider AND taller than the more common 205/55 series and the width and taller sidewall gives it a higher load rating. The HHR also has the beefier hubs and brakes used on the Cobalt SS and ION Redline to handle the extra weight of the car and load capabilities.

The other matter is the center of gravity. HHR is a taller car and having a wider tire helps keep the thing on all four wheels. Wider tires CAN help put power to the ground, but the application for the relatively low-powered HHR is more suited to the handling requirements and load carrying characteristics of a utility vehicle.