Have had some experience with the Potenza S-03s now and to my dismay I have found that fuel consumption has seen quite a steep rise.

Now I know that I can't expect wider and stickier tyres to give the same consumption figures as before but going up from around 30 mpg to 26-27 mpg on the same stretch using roughly the same driving style (averaging out over six times now) seems a bit rich to me. Or was that to be expected? Can the difference be as much as 3 mpg?

Have checked the tyres pressures this morning though, and they were on factory pressure (i.e. 2.2/2.1 bar) instead of the 2.5/2.4 I used on the old tyres. Will see if that makes a difference.

only 30mpg, I manage high 30's consistantly and with cruise control on last weekend managed to get avg 41mph on a 50 mile run. Thats with 225/45 17 Michelin Pilot Sport tyres.

Holland is a smaller country, Manny, so shorter stretches of motorway to use the cruise on. :(

Also, there's lots of B roads and town driving involved on that particular route (to work), and a 25-mile stretch of motorway on which I'm always trying to have some fun (so no cruise!).

On longer runs to the South I used to manage 35 mpg, but 41 mpg? Impossible for me...

BTW, Manny, did you get my mail concerning the new gallery pictures?

dont forget weather can affect fuel consuption as well..

dry roads generate more friction / drag than wet....

I've noticed a 2 - 3 mpg on average increase in fuel consumption after fitting 225/40/18 tyres........

Just put on some 225/40/18 Pirelli P Zero Nero. I have noticed no difference in fuel consumption. I can also average a good 37mpg on a run on the motorway even doing 80mph. On most tanks of fuel I get 350 before the light comes on. Even at 90 on a flat road the display tells me approx 33/34mpg.

Andy

Mattijs, got the email. Just need to find some space to put the updated pics.

Mattijs,

I had a 3mpg drop on my work journey when changing from the crap Dunlops to Pirelli PZero Rossos. I also got a wider tyre 225/45/17.

I was expecting it though, as Autocar reported a mpg drop during it's annual tyre test.

Personally the drop in mpg was worth it when I got more grip, less noise and a more stable ride.

Thanks, Adrian. So a drop of 3 mpg (weather here has been the same for weeks, Paul!) is within the range when changing from crap tyres to sticky stuff. Oh well, I'm not even paying for the fuel, and as you say, the change was very much worth it. Just thought 3 mpg was a bit on the high side... Hopefully the added tyre pressure will help a bit.

Manny: thanks for the acknowledgement!

I've noticed a 2 - 3 mpg on average increase in fuel consumption after fitting 225/45/17 tyres.

Thanks Greg, so I'm not alone... what a comforting thought.