Car tires Michelin Energy Saver: reviews

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Summer car tires are often underestimated by drivers. This situation arises due to the fact that in the winter season, in their opinion, motorists, there are much more dangers on the road. However, even in the summer there are dangerous situations. Take, for example, a heavy downpour, during which the water does not have time to drain from the track and forms an even layer, in some places of which deep puddles also come across.

If the tire does not cope well with hydroplaning, the car has every chance to go into a skid no worse than on solid ice. That is why summer tires should be chosen carefully and thoughtfully, evaluating all factors. This is exactly what we will do with the example of the Michelin Energy Saver. Reviews about it will help complete the picture, based on official information from the manufacturer.

Model in brief

This rubber is produced by Michelin, which has proven itself on the positive side in the tire market for quite a long time. She produceshigh-quality products, but at the same time sells it quite expensive. Therefore, you should immediately expect that the model in question will not be from the list of inexpensive or budget ones.

As the name implies, the main task of the manufacturer is the ability to save energy, in our case - to reduce the friction index to reduce fuel consumption. We will look at this feature in more detail a little later, and also emphasize its details by considering owner reviews of the Michelin Energy Saver.

Among other advantages of this tire are confident road behavior in adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain, as well as good handling and dynamics on quality roads.

Shape of tread pattern

First of all, the manufacturer tried to rework the small tread elements in order to achieve the maximum improvement in performance compared to previous models. Outwardly, the rubber may look like most summer models, but in fact it is not.

The standard central longitudinal ribs, which received some changes, remained as the basis. So, they provide directional stability and high-quality maneuvering at speed. However, they have better grip with the road surface due to the use of small slots located on them along the entire length, which is confirmed by reviews of the Michelin Energy Saver Plus.

These slots in turn form additional cutting edges thatconfidently cling to the asph alt and give the tire dynamics. If necessary, these small elements can also have the opposite effect - to improve braking performance in an emergency.

The side tread blocks have not remained unchanged either. You can see that they have omnidirectional edges. This gives the tire additional acceleration potential, as well as better handling when maneuvering at speeds when the center of applied force is shifted to the edge of the tire.

The massiveness of the blocks allows them to protect the sidewalls of the tire from mechanical damage that can occur during a strong impact, for example, on tram or railway rails. And their thickness allows you not to worry about punctures and cuts. Indeed, paired with a reinforced cord, protection is even more reliable. However, reviews of the Michelin Energy Saver note that sometimes strength fails, and the tire still gets damaged.

Features of the lamella grid

No less responsibly, the developers approached the issue of applying a grid of lamellas to the working surface of the tire. The behavior of the tire in adverse conditions depends on how well this detail of the external design is calculated. So, in its central part there are three longitudinal wide grooves that, according to reviews of the Michelin Energy Saver 91T, can hold a large amount of water inside. This feature comes in handy when driving sharply into a deep puddle. If there were no such lamellas, then the car could simply “float” or leaveinto an uncontrolled skid.

The side blocks are also separated from each other by rather deep grooves. It is through them that excess moisture is discharged from the longitudinal lamellas extreme from the center. They also provide additional rowing performance that is necessary for driving on dirt roads. However, it is worth noting that the manufacturer positions the tire as a road tire designed for paved tracks. Therefore, driving onto a dirt road is the exception rather than the rule and is not recommended, especially if the dirt road is eroded or not paved.

Special rubber formula

The tire formula for the Michelin Energy Saver 205 uses the latest innovations available to the company's engineers. Silica was developed taking into account the possibility of using it in various conditions, including extreme ones. To do this, it was decided to use the patented Durable Security Compound technology, which allows to achieve a homogeneous mixture during manufacture, which increased the strength of the tire and created an improved balance.

This approach, according to the company's specialists, provided an opportunity to achieve more efficient braking. After all, all areas of the bus work the same due to the monolithic structure.

In the process of developing the formula, the priority was not only performance and dynamic characteristics, but also the preservation of the environment. That is why the composition included a large number of natural, natural elements, and the proportion of aromaticcomponents, which are a source of carcinogenic compounds, was, on the contrary, reduced to the required minimum. As a result, the production and disposal of rubber from this model range can be ensured with less harm to nature. However, as Michelin Energy Saver 19565 R15 reviews highlight, it's not all about saving the environment.

Fuel savings and reduced emissions

As you can see from the very name of the model range, the manufacturer set as a basis the task of reducing the consumption of the fuel mixture. This was achieved by applying several factors simultaneously. Thus, a rubber compound with the necessary elasticity is able to roll smoothly, which reduces the level of friction without losing dynamic characteristics.

The tread pattern was also developed taking into account the maximum rolling. Because of this, it was necessary to partially sacrifice dynamic characteristics on dirt roads. However, this approach in no way worsened the properties of rubber on asph alt tracks. According to the results of official testing, tires created using new technologies can save up to 0.2 liters of fuel for every 100 kilometers driven.

This fact is confirmed by reviews of Michelin Energy Saver 20555 R16. In terms of carbon dioxide, this is about 4 grams per second, depending on the mode of operation of the engine. For cities that do not have much green vegetation, this is more than a significant indicator.

Durability

When developing the formula of the rubber compound, the engineers had to take into account another important factor - the resistance to abrasive wear of the working surface of the tire. If this is not done, it may turn out to be a very successful model, but its service life will be too short, and many drivers will refuse such a dubious option.

In order for the rubber to serve for a long time, it is necessary to strengthen the bonds between the individual elements of the rubber compound without losing elasticity. This is achieved by adding synthetic silica bonded with silicic acid to the original formula. The latter can bind synthetic and natural components together without sacrificing softness. However, it more than doubles the service life. That is why it is used by almost all manufacturers of modern automotive rubber.

Another weak area is the sidewalls of the tire. They are susceptible to damage as a result of strong physical impact, such as a blow. A puncture or rupture of the sidewall can be obtained by running into a sharp object, which can be rebar sticking out of the curb stone.

To prevent this from happening, the manufacturer added a reinforced metal cord, which provided resistance to punctures and cuts, and also allowed the tire to retain its shape under strong mechanical stress, avoiding the appearance of hernias. The side part is made of more durable and tough rubber, which also increases the survivability of products.

The result was an increase in service life. Manufacturerso confident in the strength of his product that he warrants this type of damage to the Michelin Energy Saver 20555. Reviews, in turn, sometimes note that the strength of the side part is still not enough.

Wide range of sizes

This model is positioned as a lightweight solution for a wide range of users. So that each driver can choose exactly the option that is suitable for his car according to passport requirements, more than 120 different sizes are presented in stores. The main differences between them, according to reviews of the Michelin Energy Saver 91V, are contained in the width of the working area of the tire, the profile height and the maximum allowable speed indices.

The inner diameter of the tire is between 13 and 17 inches. Seems like a small range. But at the same time, it should be borne in mind that the model was developed primarily for compact vehicles, including urban subcompacts and sedans.

That is why it is impossible to find options for crossovers and minibuses in the list. For them, there is a special lineup with enhanced performance and having the prefix SUV in the name.

Awards

The model range of the French manufacturer has received rave reviews from many reputable automotive publications. It is easy to find information on the net regarding this or that test, as a result of which the tires showed their best side and with dignity outperformed rivals in terms of dynamic characteristics.

However, the most prestigious achievementmanufacturer, it can be considered that the Michelin Energy Saver R16 model was awarded by the German Automobile Association. This means that the tires are actually safe to drive, able to help the driver cope with emergency situations in adverse weather conditions and can last for more than one season.

Positive feedback about the model

It's time to analyze the opinion of drivers who have been using tires from this lineup for more than a year. Their feedback on the Michelin Energy Saver will serve as the basis for the final decision on whether to purchase this rubber for your car. Let's start with the positive aspects. Among them, the main ones are the following:

• Very high wear resistance. Drivers, among whom there are taxi service workers, speak positively about the ability of rubber to serve for a very long time without the need for repair. So, some of them noted that the mileage has exceeded 200,000 kilometers, and the rubber is still able to work further, although it looks worn.
• Good handling on the track. The ability to perform maneuvers without slowing down is another definite plus of this model. As stated in reviews of the Michelin Energy Saver, it confidently keeps on the track when maneuvering due to side tread blocks.
• Short stopping distance. Effective braking is one of the key safety factors in a critical situation. It is thanks to the well-thought-out tread and the special formula of the rubber compound that this rubberable to quickly stop the car in case of danger.
• Low noise level. Due to the fact that the manufacturer tried to achieve efficiency, it was also possible to remove a side effect - a decrease in the level of acoustic discomfort. Therefore, rubber can be safely used on cars with poor sound insulation, it will not irritate with excessive noise and vibration.
• Good behavior on wet pavement. The manufacturer, as stated in the Michelin Energy Saver tire reviews, made sure that the rubber could withstand weather conditions well, effectively combating hydroplaning and removing water from the contact patch of the working surface with the track.

As you can see, the model has a rather impressive list of pluses, which speaks in its favor. However, some negative features of the lineup should not be left aside.

Cons of the model based on driver feedback

Among the negative aspects, many drivers in the reviews of the Michelin Energy Saver 20555 R16 note the lack of strength of the side of the tire. Despite the fact that the manufacturer tried to protect it as much as possible, this was not enough. The result is damage from careless use that makes it impossible to experience the full life of the tires.

Another disadvantage is the rather high cost of rubber compared to competitors. Domestic manufacturers offer tires with similar parameters and characteristics for a price about one and a half times cheaper. So some drivers stay oncrossroads: overpay for a brand or take a cheaper, but also high-quality rubber.

Driving on dirt roads with this rubber is also not recommended. This can be seen even in the shape of the tread, not intended for driving on primers. The manufacturer also positions this model as a purely highway model, but in domestic realities, a periodic exit to dirt roads may be a necessity, so this feature can be considered a disadvantage. Drivers in reviews of Michelin Energy Saver tires say that on the dirt road, the car, especially after rain, feels like a cow on ice.

Conclusion

This range of tires is perfect for those who prefer to ride on paved roads, such as city driving, and want to achieve maximum safety and long service life. If the rubber is handled with care and mechanical damage is avoided, then, as the Michelin Energy Saver reviews say, the mileage on it can reach very high numbers. Not recommended for use on dirt roads or aggressive driving.