Do Tires Affect MPG?

Of course, you already know that the proper tires, and caring for them, is essential for safe driving in St. Simons and the surrounding areas. But you’re probably also concerned about the money you’re spending at the pump, too—so a question we hear a lot at our Brunswick service center is, “Do tires affect mpg?” 

In fact, your vehicle’s tires do have an impact on its performance and efficiency on Waycross streets and beyond. In this article, our team lays out the essential aspects of tires that affect your gas mileage, and give some tips for driving habits and maintenance tasks to ensure you’re getting the most out of every Jessup drive.

Do Bigger Wheels Affect MPG?

Before answering the question, “Do bigger wheels affect mpg,” we need to ask another: “Why do tires affect mpg?” Tires affect your car’s fuel economy through rolling resistance, or the friction between your tires and the road surface. More resistance means more friction, which means your engine has to work harder to propel the car forward—resulting in lower fuel economy.

Basically two factors contribute to your rolling resistance: your tires and the road. A rough road (or lack of one) contributes to more resistance, which is why you’ll have worse gas mileage on the trail than on a city street. But larger tires also have more rolling resistance, and so contribute to poor fuel economy as well. They also produce more drag—basically friction from the air around your vehicle—which can lessen your mpg.

So, do bigger wheels affect mpg? Absolutely! If you want to boost your fuel economy, consider exploring low-resistance tires with thinner sidewalls, lower weight, and shallower treads to lower your rolling resistance.

How Much Does Tire Weight Affect MPG?

Related to a tire’s size is its overall weight. So, do bigger tires affect mpg? How much does tire weight affect mpg? We’ve broken down the factors below:

• Smaller objects take less energy to move than larger ones, so heavier tires require more fuel to move than lighter ones.
• Smaller tires and wheels require less engine output, and they handle stop-and-go city traffic better.
• However, larger, heavier tires do have benefits! Larger tires are good for heavy-duty vehicles needing more road grip, and they cover more distance per rotation once they’re moving. This can actually translate to better fuel economy if you mostly travel on the highway at speed.

So, do bigger wheels affect mpg? It can be complicated to discern, and depends on your driving habits and conditions, too.

Learn More About Car Care with Nalley GMC

We know it can seem impossible to know everything when it comes to what’s best for your vehicle and your driving needs. However, you don’t have to figure it out on your own—contact our service department with any questions you have about how your tires affect mpg, or take a look at our service and parts tips for more information about caring for your Buick or GMC.