TYRES

Michelin Siam went out on a limb to prove that its XDA 2+ Energy and XZA 2+ Energy energy-saving commercial-vehicle tyres actually save 5% on fuel costs when fitted to a Mitsubishi Fuso 18-wheel truck.

The Mitsubishi Fuso FV5138 18-wheelers are prepped at refueling stations.

After being denied the opportunity to drive an 18-wheeler, yours truly settled for a not-quite-so-thrilling ride in the passenger seat that lasted about 100 kilometres, a sixth of the total length of the scheduled journey.

The average Joe who runs a beaten-up Honda City on gasohol 91 mightn't see the merit in forking out for these new tyres merely to save 5% on fuel costs. But say you have a logistics business with 100 trucks notching up an annual diesel bill of 700,000 baht per vehicle; saving just 5% on fuel would mean you could operate that 100-strong fleet for 3.5 million baht less per year, a considerable amount of cash in anybody's books.

Jaipetch Jevaphatrakul, commercial director for Michelin Siam's truck, bus and off-road tyre business, had this to say: "Fuel costs account for 50% of total operating costs for transportation and bus companies. Maintenance and tyre expenses are second in size only to the employee payroll. Michelin's Energy tyres help reduce fuel costs while maintaining superior durability, road-holding capability and braking performance."

Now, don't get too excited! The above are assumptions made by Michelin Siam based on comparisons between Michelin XDA 2+ Energy and XZA 2+ Energy tyres versus standard XZD and XDE Michelins.

Jaipetch: Fuel efficiency will be improved.

The 600km trip from Cha-am to Krabi was divided into two sessions which was affected by rain and light traffic causing frequent braking and acceleration to build speed up to 75-80kph; the rain obviously compromised rolling resistance with wind and aerodynamics playing a hand in fuel consumption as well.

The Cha-am-to-Chumphon leg of the journey garnered fuel savings of 3.07% while the stretch from Chumphon to Krabi got better results: 6.6%. Total fuel savings for the entire trip was 4.83%, according to Michelin Siam.

These figures were derived by weighing a 150-litre fuel tank installed just behind the cab or prime mover, and then noting the difference in the tank's weight after each leg of the journey.

Two brand-new Mitsubishi Fuso 18-wheelers were used for the experiment. One was fitted with XZA 2+ Energy tyres in the front, fourth and fifth axles and XDA 2+ Energy tyres in the second and third axles with tyre pressure at 130psi. The other truck was fitted with standard Michelin tyres throughout.

Both vehicles switched positions every 50km, meaning that each took turns leading, so both were exposed to similar wind, aerodynamic and traffic conditions.

The price of these Michelin Energy tyres wasn't disclosed, but it's a given that Michelins carry a bit of a premium in pricing strategy. It remains to be seen, therefore, whether the claimed saving of 4.83% will be sufficient to make the initial investment in these tyres worthwhile; long-term tests will have to be carried out.

If any of you readers is eventually able to vouch for the billing these tyres have been given, do drop us a line. If they don't actually save on fuel costs, get on the phone to Motoring pronto!

Relate Search: Michelin Siam, Honda City, XDA 2+ Energy, XZA 2+ Energy