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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    cherry hill, nj
    Posts
    121

    Default MPG dropped by 2 after new tires?

    I've had to do quite a few repairs to my XV70 over the past 2 months. Everything was status quo until I replaced the Dunlop Signature Sports tires (OEM size) with Nokian WRG2s 235. I have been pushing the car a little more than usual (translation - spirited driving) but not to the extent that I expected to see my MPG drop from 23.x to 21.3.

    I realized this the other night when adjusting the display after the service needed message came out. Is this possibly just a miscalculation or did the MPG really drop with the larger tires?

    If no one else has seen this type of a drop with large tires any suggestions on what I could check that could be causing this?

    Here's the list of what I've done since Dec:

    -Fuel Pump
    -Lower Control Arms
    -Rear brake pads
    -Nokian WRG2 235/60/16

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Dimock, PA
    Posts
    1,559

    Default

    I would not be surprised to see such a drop after the combination of "spirited driving" and the larger tire. Actually depending upon how "spirited" I would not be surprised to see a greater drop. Moreover, once you deviate from the OEM size the electronic calculations made by your car's software are less accurate. Finally, we are now getting "winter" gasoline blends when we fill up and that lowers MPG as well.
    Bill
    63 PV544 (attempted restoration)
    83 245 DL OSD (transferred to son)
    85 240 GL OSD (transferred to son)
    03 XC70 OSD (traded-in 4/12)
    05 AWD S80 OSD (transferred to son)
    12 XC70 T6
    16 S60 T5 Drive-E (FWD)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Virginia Beach
    Posts
    4,116

    Default

    Bill's right, when you factor in wider tires (slight increase in rolling resistance) - a change in driving habits and reformulated gasoline, it's hard to say what exactly caused your mileage to drop.

    But if you're getting on that gas pedal more...then the cause is...well...it's you!
    Current Fleet:
    2016 Tundra Crewmax 4WD 1794
    2005 MB S600 (126K, Michelin AS4, HPL 0W40)
    2005 MB SL600 (55K Michelin AS4, Mobil 1 0W40)
    2004 V70R (143K, six speed M66, HPL 5W40)
    2004 XC90 (235K, HPL 0W30 Euro)
    2002 V70-XC (295K, HPL 0W30 Euro)
    2002 V70-T5 (225K, IPD bars, Bilsteins)
    2001 V70-T5 (125K, IPD downpipe, cat back and other mods)
    1932 Packard Sedan (straight 8, dual sidemounts, original paint and interior, Shell Rotella 15W40)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    cherry hill, nj
    Posts
    121

    Default

    Yeah, with all the repairs it's like I've gotten a whole new car again and I'm definitely enjoying it more... It's definitely not the S2000 I used to have, but it's a fun car to drive. I need to remind myself I'm an old guy in a Volvo wagon... ;-)
    Thor - 2004 XC70 (225k and going strong!)
    Gunnar - 2013 C30 T5 - Traded in on...
    Ty - 2013 S60 R-Design!!

    Yeah, I guess I'm a Volvo guy... ;-)

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    1,439

    Default

    Wider tyres = less mpg. Due to more surface area contact and friction of rubber on the road.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Western Head, Nova Scotia
    Posts
    3,089

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ocean Racer View Post
    Wider tyres = less mpg. Due to more surface area contact and friction of rubber on the road.
    Even in tires of the same size, construction differences from one brand to another can have an effect albeit a small one usually. Keep in mind though that this time of year you are into the winter formulation of fuels and since you are in NJ probably in an area requiring oxygenated fuels which will decrease mileage more significantly than any tire differences. At least in my experience when I lived in Ohio years ago.

    Bottom line is that winter is a poor time to be making mileage comparisons as there are too many variables that can come into it. Air and humidity levels, changes in tire pressures due to more dramatic changes in ambient air temperature, engine idling time, cold starts in low temps, driveline drag from cold, etc. I used to have fairly wild swings in mileage when I lived in Northern Ontario where the temperature could be -35C one day and 0C the next. I could easily see a 2mpg difference from one tank to another just due to the differences I've mentioned.

    Cheers,

    Bill
    Western Head, NS CDN

    '08 BMW 750i (Black Sapphire)-204K kms to-date
    '05 XC70 (Lava Sand)-296K kms to-date
    '02 V70XC-gone @393K kms
    '05 V70R (Magic Blue)-120K mi to-date - gone
    '96 854R (Red)-real CDN-spec 5-speed R - gone @270k kms
    And other Volvos and misc. Euro stuff

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    California
    Posts
    418

    Default

    You used to get 23.x?! I can't even get that driving from LA to the Bay Area on 5. I usually get 20 even. Then again, I am going 80 lol even when I went 75 I would only get 22. My old 99 V70 GLT (granted it was lower to the ground...and possibly lighter) got 24.x at 75, 22.x at 80. Those are avg for the whole trip btw.
    2010 Fusion Sport | Tint 70/20 | LED Lighting | OE Aluminum Pedals | Steeda Strut Tie Bar | Intake Resonator Delete | Steeda Rear Sway Bar | ...
    2014 Expedition | 4x4 | Limited | Loaded | Stock
    2015 S60 T6 AWD R-Design Platinum w/ Polestar | Stock for now...

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    cherry hill, nj
    Posts
    121

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Volvoholic View Post
    You used to get 23.x?! I can't even get that driving from LA to the Bay Area on 5. I usually get 20 even. Then again, I am going 80 lol even when I went 75 I would only get 22. My old 99 V70 GLT (granted it was lower to the ground...and possibly lighter) got 24.x at 75, 22.x at 80. Those are avg for the whole trip btw.
    Yeah it's been a pretty consistent 23.4-.7 the last few years. And that's with the various highway drives usually at 80 or so... ;-)

    "oh officer. I thought that was the speed limit sign. It's highway 95?"
    Thor - 2004 XC70 (225k and going strong!)
    Gunnar - 2013 C30 T5 - Traded in on...
    Ty - 2013 S60 R-Design!!

    Yeah, I guess I'm a Volvo guy... ;-)

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    California
    Posts
    418

    Default

    Hahaha! If I were getting that kind of mileage out of mine I wouldn't complain. I get as low as 13.5 city sometimes...it pains me. That's mostly short distance, heavy traffic driving and people in LA + rush hour =
    2010 Fusion Sport | Tint 70/20 | LED Lighting | OE Aluminum Pedals | Steeda Strut Tie Bar | Intake Resonator Delete | Steeda Rear Sway Bar | ...
    2014 Expedition | 4x4 | Limited | Loaded | Stock
    2015 S60 T6 AWD R-Design Platinum w/ Polestar | Stock for now...

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Arlington/Newport News, VA
    Posts
    929

    Default

    When I went up to 235's my mpgs went down too...

    '05 XC70
    -Pioneer Avic F700bt headunit
    -12 inch Alpine Type R Sub
    -Flat Black Pegs
    -Custom Tinted Windows
    -Custom Mesh Grille
    -OBX Catback Exhaust
    -IPD Silicone Hoses

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