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Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max Review: Enhances Fuel Efficiency, but Lacks in Other Aspects

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Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max Review

Pros

  • On dry roads, dependable traction, handling, and braking performance
  • When compared to standard tires, results in a notable increase in the vehicle’s overall economy.
  • Extremely comfy despite the presence of both little and larger faults.
  • Extended warranty coverage for treadwear

Cons

  • Doesn’t feel particularly responsive
  • Traction, handling, and braking performance in wet conditions are all below average for the category.
  • The snow traction and braking performance of these tires do not compare favorably to that of comparable all-season tires.
  • When traveling at highway speeds, there is a great deal of noise from the road.
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Automobile makers have been looking for ways to reduce fuel consumption ever since the introduction of the very first hybrid automobiles. In addition to developing these vehicles to have the least amount of resistance to airflow feasible, the tire manufacturers were contacted and asked to develop tires with a low rolling resistance.

At this point, the money that may be saved by purchasing a set of tires with a low rolling resistance won’t amount to much, at least not in the near future. Despite this, the more miles you put on these tires, the more money you will get out of them.

As an illustration, have a look at the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max. According to Goodyear, this passenger all-season tire has the potential to save its owner up to 2,600 miles of range over the course of the tire’s lifetime. In addition, the treadwear warranty that Goodyear offers extends coverage for the tire for up to 65,000 miles over its lifespan.

The problem is that the majority of environmentally friendly tires that we have tested in the past are not very good in terms of performance. To put it another way, it is not possible to manufacture tires that have a lower rolling resistance without sacrificing grip and stopping ability. The laws of physics depend on it.

Despite this, there are some tire manufacturers that perform an excellent job of providing safe handling and braking for everyday driving while also reducing the rolling resistance of their tires. In addition, at least in my experience to this point, it is impossible to make a mistake when purchasing tires from quality manufacturers like Goodyear.

Having said that, Goodyear introduced the Assurance Fuel Max as the original equipment tire (OEM) for the Chevrolet Volt over ten years ago. This indicates that the tire is somewhat outdated at this point, as most of the competitors has already introduced more up-to-date items into the market.

Even more unfortunate is the fact that the Fuel Max was developed during a period of time when low-rolling-resistance tires weren’t nearly as outstanding in how they performed on the road. Tires such as the Assurance Fuel Max were the primary factors contributing to the poor handling of hybrid and electric vehicles of the era.

Therefore, does this imply that the environmentally friendly tire manufactured by Goodyear does not merit a spot on your rims? The answer to that question is going to rely on what it is that you want out of a set of tires. Obviously, the answers can be found in the comprehensive evaluation that I have written on the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max. Alternately, you might head on over to the conclusion, where you will discover a TL;DR version of my ideas as well as the benefits and drawbacks of the tire.

However, before I begin to share my opinions, let’s have a look at the features that Goodyear incorporated into their environmentally friendly all-season tire to make it marketable to customers.

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What are the features of the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max?

The Assurance Fuel Max is an all-season passenger tire that is designed to fit a variety of vehicles, including compact cars, hybrids, mid-size sedans, minivans, and even certain crossovers. In addition, Goodyear asserts that the cutting-edge technology that results in this tire’s reduced rolling resistance is the product’s most notable feature.

The Fuel Max, on the other hand, does not come in a particularly wide range of sizes due to the fact that it has been on the market for more than a decade at this point. You can still find common dimensions online, but they often start at a wheel diameter of 15 inches and go all the way up to a wheel diameter of 17 inches. You won’t be able to find a size that works for your crossover if it has tires that are 18 inches in diameter.

The tread composition of the Assurance Fuel Max is the most notable aspect of this tire. Goodyear made use of rubber that had been modified on a molecular level in order to reduce rolling resistance while maintaining the material’s ability to provide traction and grip on a variety of surfaces.

When compared to other all-season tires from the same age, the Assurance Fuel Max produced 27% less resistance overall, which resulted in a 4% improvement in fuel efficiency. At the very least, this was the case when the tire was brand new.

Although it may not seem like much, after 65,000 miles driven, that amount of savings will be equivalent to 2,600 miles’ worth of gasoline savings. The Assurance Fuel Max is certainly not terrible, but we are unable to comment on how it stacks up against more recent all-season tires that include more cutting-edge low-rolling-resistance technologies.

The tread pattern is another another one of the Assurance Fuel Max’s distinguishing characteristics. There were two separate zones utilized by Goodyear. The Dry Tread Zone is equipped with sturdy shoulder blocks, which contribute to improved responsiveness and steering feel, in addition to enhanced cornering capability and improved stability on the highway.

On the other hand, the Wet Tread Zone makes use of Dual Aquachannel grooves in order to facilitate improved water evacuation and higher resistance to hydroplaning. The normal function of this tread zone is to enhance traction and braking performance in wet conditions.

Furthermore, the tread design includes a continuous notch in the center rib and circumferential shoulder grooves, both of which contribute to the improvement of stability on both dry and wet roads, as well as to the provision of snow traction and the lengthening of the treadlife.

The Assurance Fuel Max follows the typical formula for the passenger all-season category when it comes to its interior construction. In order to provide a superior riding experience, this tire has two steel belts layered over a polyester casing. In the meantime, models with an H-speed rating come equipped with an additional layer of nylon that has been spirally wrapped for increased high-speed performance.

What are the maintenance indicators?

The Assurance Fuel Max is an all-season passenger tire that is designed to fit a variety of vehicles, including compact cars, hybrids, mid-size sedans, minivans, and even certain crossovers. In addition, Goodyear asserts that the cutting-edge technology that results in this tire’s reduced rolling resistance is the product’s most notable feature.

The Fuel Max, on the other hand, does not come in a particularly wide range of sizes due to the fact that it has been on the market for more than a decade at this point. You can still find common dimensions online, but they often start at a wheel diameter of 15 inches and go all the way up to a wheel diameter of 17 inches. You won’t be able to find a size that works for your crossover if it has tires that are 18 inches in diameter.

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The tread composition of the Assurance Fuel Max is the most notable aspect of this tire. Goodyear made use of rubber that had been modified on a molecular level in order to reduce rolling resistance while maintaining the material’s ability to provide traction and grip on a variety of surfaces.

When compared to other all-season tires from the same age, the Assurance Fuel Max produced 27% less resistance overall, which resulted in a 4% improvement in fuel efficiency. At the very least, this was the case when the tire was brand new.

Although it may not seem like much, after 65,000 miles driven, that amount of savings will be equivalent to 2,600 miles’ worth of gasoline savings. The Assurance Fuel Max is certainly not terrible, but we are unable to comment on how it stacks up against more recent all-season tires that include more cutting-edge low-rolling-resistance technologies.

The tread pattern is another another one of the Assurance Fuel Max’s distinguishing characteristics. There were two separate zones utilized by Goodyear. The Dry Tread Zone is equipped with sturdy shoulder blocks, which contribute to improved responsiveness and steering feel, in addition to enhanced cornering capability and improved stability on the highway.

On the other hand, the Wet Tread Zone makes use of Dual Aquachannel grooves in order to facilitate improved water evacuation and higher resistance to hydroplaning. The normal function of this tread zone is to enhance traction and braking performance in wet conditions.

Furthermore, the tread design includes a continuous notch in the center rib and circumferential shoulder grooves, both of which contribute to the improvement of stability on both dry and wet roads, as well as to the provision of snow traction and the lengthening of the treadlife.

The Assurance Fuel Max follows the typical formula for the passenger all-season category when it comes to its interior construction. In order to provide a superior riding experience, this tire has two steel belts layered over a polyester casing. In the meantime, models with an H-speed rating come equipped with an additional layer of nylon that has been spirally wrapped for increased high-speed performance.

How does it behave on a dry tarmac?

You won’t get much of a feel from the steering wheel with the Assurance Fuel Max, and it also isn’t very responsive. A pair of tires like this makes it nearly impossible to get into the driving experience, particularly on winding roads.

However, this should not be a concern for normal drivers. The tire does an excellent job for daily driving, particularly in urban conditions, especially when compared to its competitors. Both the straight-line traction and the cornering grip that it offers are significantly better than average for the category. In addition, the stopping distances are low enough to make driving safely possible, and the stability of the highway is very good.

When driving in dry weather, the overall performance of the Assurance Fuel Max is not spectacular at all, and this is especially true if you are an aggressive driver. In spite of this, the tire at least provide for a safe driving experience when it comes to the more common types of driving conditions.

How is it over wet and slippery roads?

When driven on rainy roads, the Assurance Fuel Max begins to fail in a very short amount of time. It’s not terrible, especially when compared to some other cheaper options, but it’s a long way from being the best tires in its category right now. When the weather is rainy, the tire’s age becomes immediately apparent.

To be more precise, the resistance to hydroplaning is good, but the Fuel Max does not have sufficient traction for practical use. When driving quickly, there is just way too much wheel spin, and the vehicle has below-average grip when turning corners. In addition, the stopping distances are significantly greater in comparison to those of other premium tires.

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With that being said, how is it on snowy roads?

Another area where the Assurance Fuel Max falls short is in its ability to maintain traction in the winter. Over mild snow, you will have some traction, which will translate to improved handling and braking at slower speeds.

On the other hand, more current passenger all-season tires will provide you with significantly improved traction in the snow, including traction that is useable over ice. Because of this, people who reside in regions that experience severe winter weather should steer clear of purchasing the Assurance Fuel Max.

Is it suitable for off-road driving?

Of course not! When the engineers were working on the design of the tire, that was the very last thing on their minds. Not only does the Fuel Max not have sufficient traction for appropriate off-roading, but the tread of the tire is also susceptible to damage from sharp pebbles. This makes the Fuel Max a poor choice for off-roading.

Is it comfortable and refined?

Even though it has been on the market for more than a decade at this point, the Assurance Fuel Max is still among the most comfortable tires available in its class. On the highway, the ride quality is fantastic, and it doesn’t suffer at all when you travel over a bump or through a pothole.

On the other hand, I can’t say the same thing about the noise from the road. On the highway, the Fuel Max makes a lot of noise, especially for an all-season tire designed for passenger vehicles. On the road, the more recent premium competition is noticeably less noisy.

More of the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max Review may be seen in this video, which was produced by GoodyearID.

 

Should I buy the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max?

Simply said, there are just too many trade-offs associated with purchasing the Assurance Fuel Max for it to be simple to endorse it. Although it will save you money at the pump, it is not very good in other, far more important areas, such as how well it performs in the snow and the rain.

When it comes to overall quality, the Assurance All-Season, ComforTred, and TripleTred tires manufactured by Goodyear are far and away the best options, particularly if you are concerned about both performance and safety.

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