Do Tires Affect MPG?

If you’re a safety-conscious driver, you know that tire care is essential for a secure driving experience. One question we hear a lot at our Wichita service center is, “Do tires affect mpg?” You might be surprised to learn that the answer is yes, tires do have an impact on the performance and efficiency of your vehicle. And it’s important to learn what is best for your driving habits and vehicle to ensure you’re making the most of your vehicle.

So you know that tires do affect your MPG, but why? And the answer to that is: rolling resistance. What is rolling resistance? It is the friction between your tires and the ground. More resistance means lower fuel economy.

Larger tires have more rolling resistance, so they contribute to poor fuel economy specs. Along with tire size, air drag, road quality, and more will play a role in how much resistance is being put on your tires as your environment also plays a big part in how your vehicle performs. If you want to boost your MPG, you can explore low-resistance tires with thinner sidewalls, lower weight, and shallower treads.

Do bigger tires affect MPG? What about bigger wheels? How much does tire weight affect MPG? Find out here:

• Since a smaller object takes less energy to move than a larger one, larger tires require the engine to burn more fuel to move the vehicle. 
• Smaller tires and wheels require less engine output and handle stop-and-go city traffic better. 
• Do larger, heavier tires have any benefits? Of course! Larger tires are great for heavy-duty vehicles and cover more distance once they’re rolling. This is a solid MPG boost if you mostly travel on the highway!

We know it’s difficult to know absolutely everything when it comes to knowing what’s best for your vehicle and what will align with your driving needs, but we’re always happy to help you make the best decisions possible. Feel free to contact us with any more questions or take a look at our service tips and tricks for more information about proper care.