Did you know that your tires affect gas mileage in your car? Tires are a big factor when it comes to fuel efficiency and impact everyones overall gas mileage. Poor tires will increase your gas consumption and the running cost of your vehicle.
It’s something that a lot of people don’t think about gas mileage when purchasing new tires for their vehicle, but it’s actually very important and makes a huge difference.
In this article, we will discuss the different ways that tires can impact your gas mileage and what you can do to improve your gas mileage, save you money and help you get the most out of your car.
How tires affect gas mileage
Many people may end up choosing to purchase a particular vehicle because of its fuel efficiency. However tires affect gas mileage more than most people realise. When it comes to fuel efficiency, poor tires will lead to an increase in gas consumption due to a number of factors.
There are a number of ways that tires are directly related to the overall gas mileage of your vehicle. These include the size and weight of your tires, their width, the different compounds that make up your tire, as well as the tire pressure and the type of tire that you have on your vehicle.
Tire types and their effects on gas mileage
One of the biggest factors when it comes to fuel efficiency is the type of tires that are on your car. There are a lot of different tires on the market, and all have their strengths and weaknesses.
Each tire type has a different effect on gas mileage. All tires fall into one of the 3 main types of tires, summer tires, winter tires or all-season tires.
Summer tires:
Summer tires are designed for high performance and warm weather driving. They have a softer and stickier rubber compound than all-season tires, which gives them superior grip to the road. However, this also makes them less efficient when it comes to fuel economy.
Summer tires tend to wear out more quickly than other types of tires, so you’ll likely need to replace them more often.
Winter tires:
Winter tires are designed for cold weather driving. They have a harder rubber compound than summer tires, which makes them more efficient when it comes to fuel economy, saving you money on gas. However, this also makes them less effective and not suitable to drive on in warmer temperatures.
Winter tires tend to wear out more slowly than other types of tires, so you’ll likely need to replace them less often.
All-season tires:
All-season tires are designed to be a compromise between summer and winter tires. They have a rubber compound that is somewhere in between the two, which makes them effective in both warm and cold weather. All-season tires are the most efficient when it comes to fuel economy.
They also last the longest, making them the ideal choice for people looking to buy the most cost efficient tire overall.
Tires and rolling resistance
Rolling resistance is the term used to describe the amount of energy that is used up when a vehicle is rolling. The more rolling resistance that a vehicle has, the harder it is to push it and the more fuel it will use.
This resistance is caused by tires, the suspension, the drivetrain and the weight of the vehicle. Tires happen to be one of the biggest factors that affects rolling resistance on your vehicle.
Tire pressure
One way that tires affect gas mileage is through incorrect tire pressure. When tires are over-inflated, it takes more energy to move them and this will lead to poorer fuel economy. On the other hand, tires that are under-inflated will create more rolling resistance because of their larger contact patch with the road.
This will also lead to decreased gas mileage. Make sure to check your tire pressure on a regular basis and adjust it accordingly.
Tire Treadwear
The tread wear of tires is also a factor when it comes to fuel economy. The more worn the tires are, the less efficient they will be and also the less grip they offer. This is because tires with less tread have more rolling resistance, which requires more energy to move them and leads to poorer gas mileage.
Different tread patterns can also have an impact on the efficiency of a tire. This means manufacturers are always testing new tires to find the most efficient designs. Make sure to regularly check your tire tread depth and replace your tires when they reach the recommended tread depth.
Tire compounds
The different compounds that make up your tires can also have an effect on gas mileage. For example, tires that are made of a harder compound will last longer but they will also create more rolling resistance. This means that they won’t be as fuel efficient as tires made with a softer compound.
Premium tires are made out of higher quality materials and means that premium tires perform better overall than budget tires.
We always recommend investing as much as you can when purchasing tires, as they are the single point where you can make the largest amount of difference to the efficiency, safety and performance of your car.
Tire widths
Another factor that can impact gas mileage is the width of your tires. Wider tires offer a larger contact patch with the road and therefore more grip, but also create more drag. This will result in less fuel efficiency.
Wider tires are more often found on larger vehicles and trucks, as well as high performance cars for whom grip and traction is more important than fuel efficiency.
Narrower tires have less surface area in contact with the road and are more efficient. However, they also have less traction and will offer less grip, which can be dangerous in poor weather.
This is because tires are available in many widths and it is possible to fit a number of different tire sizes to a wheel.
Tire size and weights
Finally, the size and weight of your tires can play a role in your gas mileage. Larger, heavier tires will require more energy and more gas to move, especially from a standstill. This is where vehicles are already at their least efficient.
All this means that larger and heavier tires will never be as fuel efficient as smaller and lighter tires. Try to keep the size and weight of your tires as close to the manufacturer’s recommendations as possible.
What you can do to improve your gas mileage
There are a number of things that you can do to improve your gas mileage, tires being one of them. Following the tips above will help you get the most out of your tires and improve your fuel economy. You can also try some of these other methods to save on gas:
- Carpool or take public transportation when possible
- Avoid excessive idling
- Drive calmly and steadily, without sudden accelerations or braking
- Use your car’s cruise control when possible
- Keep your tires properly inflated
- Reduce drag by removing unnecessary items and weight from your car
- Use the most fuel-efficient tires for your vehicle
- Keep your engine tuned, serviced yearly and in good working order.
FAQ
How do I tell how fuel efficient my tires are?
All tires are sold with a fuel efficiency rating. You can find out your tires efficiency rating by searching for your specific tires make and model.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you can improve your gas mileage and save money at the pump. Tires are just one part of the equation when it comes to fuel economy. By taking care of your car and driving efficiently, you can make a big difference.
When it comes time to purchase a new set of tires, always make sure to keep the factors mentioned above in mind and purchase the tire recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. By choosing tires that are fuel efficient, you can save yourself money on gas and get more out of your car.
We hope you enjoyed this article and found it informative. If you have any questions then please leave a comment below or get in touch via email or through social media and we will read and respond to every comment, email or question. Thanks for reading!