How Much Does Tire Weight Affect MPG?

There’s a good reason that smaller sedans tend to get better fuel economy than heavyweight trucks in Orland Park, and that’s because of weight. But if a heavier vehicle can weigh down your fuel economy figures, how much does tire weight affect MPG? The answer is that bigger tires and wheels can indeed bring down your gas mileage, but the answer is more involved than you might think. The Garage at Bettenhausen is here to answer common questions like:

• Do tires affect MPG at all?
• Do bigger tires affect MPG?
• Do bigger wheels affect MPG?
• How much does tire weight affect MPG?
• And more!

Do Bigger Tires Affect MPG?

Some ask “Do bigger tires affect MPG?” or “Do bigger wheels affect MPG?” The answer is yes, but the reason isn’t solely due to weight. Larger tires and wheels have greater rolling resistance than smaller tires. Rolling resistance refers to the friction between the tires and the ground. So it takes more energy to get a larger tire rolling in Oak Forest than a smaller tire. This leads to more fuel consumption.

So, do bigger wheels affect MPG? Yes.

How Much Does Tire Weight Affect MPG?

Now you how how do tires affect MPG in terms of rolling resistance, but how do tires affect MPG in terms of weight? Let’s go through a few scenarios: 

• Larger tires, on average, take more fuel to get going – due to both rolling resistance and greater mass. The exception is low-weight tires, which are built to maximize fuel economy.
• Smaller tires take less energy to start and stop. This is why smaller tires excel in city environments, where bumper-to-bumper traffic is common.
• Do larger tires have benefits? Yes. Larger tires may take more energy ot get going, but they cover more ground once in motion. That means they might be the perfect option for highway commutes around Frankfort.

Upgrade Your Tires at The Garage at Bettenhausen

We’ve gone through some of the key differences between smaller tires vs. larger tires. But if you’re not sure which is best for you, feel free to contact us at The Garage at Bettenhausen. In the meantime, learn more about tire numbers and tire rotations!