Am I an idiot for wanting to go from A/T to H/T tires given I don't ever go off road?

So I won't bore you with the details but I'm looking to go back to dailying my 2022 Off Road which means I'd like to maximize my fuel economy. I currently have P265/70R17 Toyo Open Countries and I'm thinking about going to a P265/70R17 Michelin Defender or a Toyo Celsius II as I really don't off road; like ever. I don't intend to off road and honestly I bought the Off Road for the locker for snow I haven't seen since I got my truck lol. The Open Countries only have like 7,500 miles on them so I was looking to sell them off once I bought new tires to offset the cost as well.

I know if mileage was my utmost goal I'd have bought a camry; I know I'm not going to see "good" mileage on this truck; but if I could consistently get better than 15-16 highway it would be great lol.

 

Michelin defenders. Do it.

 

Sorry, I guess my answer is no

 

This ^^^^^^^^^

 

Ok lol, I guess that makes it a little easier haha.

 

You should be getting a fair bit better than 16 on an Open Country AT3 in 265/70.

My school of thought is that you are not going to recover a whole lot on a just-bought used tire, especially not enough to offset fuel savings. I say keep the tires, run them down, and find other ways to sip fuel. As in find a commute pattern that minimizes changes in speed. Its the acceleration that gets ya, not the velocity.

 

This forum is said to be for tacoma owners and enthusiasts.. so.. as long as you meet at least one of these requirements— you are not an idiot.

Best mpgs I ever got was stock everything, grandma acceleration, 22mpg on hilly roads, never faster than 55. Highway maybe 20 if I draft semi trailer. Taco doesn’t like highway.. unless its downhill with tailwind.

** for context I get about 16avg with 33” AT, front & rear bumper, & rooftop tent. I can +2 mpg if I take rtt off.

 

For once, Super Swampers are not the answer, but I would probably wear out your Toyos before getting the Michelins.

 

If you’re going to switch to a street tire that already doesn’t look “cool,” might as well downsize to 265/65R17 to get a bit more mpg benefit. In my mind anyways.

 

I have General Grabber ATXs in LT265/75/16. I average 18mpg around town and between 22-23mpg on the highway depending on terrain and traffic. I have seen an average of 24mpg on long flat highway with zero traffic. Speedometer is calibrated and verified 100% accurate for this tire size. I’ve had them for about 43K miles now.

They are one of the more aggressive all terrains out there but it sounds like I’m getting way better mileage than you so maybe they would do well for you. Pic of my truck for reference. No armor or anything.

 

If fuel mileage is goal be sure to run higher tire pressures. Check the sidewall of your tire. You may sacrifice a bit of ride comfort running higher pressures but you will maximize mileage - just stay within the limits the manufacturer prints on the sidewall.

Fun fact: for every 1 psi a tire drops you lose up to 0.4% in mpg according to the US Dept of Energy. Its all about optimizing the rolling resistance. When in doubt go with what your door jam sticker says. If you want to experiment, go up to the max psi on the sidewall. Log your mileage. Report back.

 

Ummm 15 to 16 mph…….????? What have you done to your truck?

 

You could always do a straight trade with me for my SR 4x2 with 245/75/16’s

 

When in doubt IF USING THE ORIGINAL TIRES go to the door jamb. Door jamb pressures are only correct for the oem tires in the same size and rating as equipped on the truck when sold.

 

Defenders. Many have good luck with them in all types of weather

 

I'd be skeptical that the amount you save in fuel would exceed your loss from reselling the tires.

The earlier comment about finding other ways to improve fuel economy (or just driving less) seems a better payoff.

ADDED:
The exception might be if you can get a set of theoretically more fuel efficient tires for very cheap. Maybe a set of take offs from someone else about to make the same mistake you seem to have.

 

Also interested in hearing additional thoughts and recommendations here. Considering replacing old Wildpeak AT3’s and moving to something like the Michelin Defender.

 

the yokohama g015 AT is another option. although it is an AT tire, it is one of the milder tread patterns and the lugs close together. this helps with rolling resistance and in a P-series they are not too heavy.

i am not familiar with the Toyo Celsius but my truck came with the Toyo A30's. Many people rag on them, but they are a decent tire imo and I run them other than in the winter. i get about another 1-2MPG with them vs. a more aggressive AT tire.