Do Tires Affect MPG?

When it comes to driving, tire care is essential for a safe and secure driving experience. Whether it’s rotating tires or finding out how to make your tires last longer, Nissan of Torrance and its team of experts are here. You might be surprised to learn that many Torrance drivers have asked, “Do tires affect MPG?” We’ve also been asked, “How much does tire weight affect MPG?” and “Do bigger tires affect MPG?”

The answer to all of these questions is “Yes.” Tires will directly impact the performance and efficiency of your existing vehicle. Below we’ll be answering all the the following questions:

• Do Tires Affect MPG?
• Do Bigger Tires Affect MPG?
• Do Bigger Wheels Affect MPG?
• How Much Does Tire Weight Affect MPG?
• And More!

Take a look at our tips below to learn about how tires can impact your vehicle’s overall fuel economy. If you have more questions, call us at 844-840-3700 or contact us online.

Do Bigger Tires Affect MPG? What is Rolling Resistance?

So to answer the question, “Do bigger tires affect MPG?”–yes they certainly do. Yet, you’re probably wondering “Why do bigger wheels affect MPG?” you might be thinking. This is due to something called “Rolling Resistance.”

“Rolling Resistance” is a force that slows down your tires. It represents the friction between your tires and the ground itself. As a result, more resistance can result in poorer fuel economy. Larger tires result in more rolling resistance, so they help contribute to poor rolling resistance in general. Alongside tire size, air drag, and road quality, a lot can play a role in how much resistance is being put on your tires over time.

For those wanting to boost your MPG, you should consider low-resistance tires with thinner sidewalls, lower weights and shallower treads.

How Much Does Tire Weight Affect MPG?

Beyond asking, “Do bigger tires affect MPG?,” another question we’ve received is “How much does tire weight affect MPG?” The truth is that is has a substantial impact:

• Since a smaller object takes less energy to move than a larger one, larger tires will require the engine to burn more fuel to move the vehicle forward.
• Smaller tires and wheels will require less engine output and handle stop-and-go city traffic in a better manner.
• Do larger, heavier tires provide any benefits? Yes they do! Larger tires are perfect for heavy-duty vehicles and cover far more distance once they start rolling. That is a solid MPG boost if you’re mostly driving on the highway.

Learn More About Car Care with Nissan of Torrance

Not only can the Nissan of Torrance service team answer questions including “Do bigger wheels affect MPG?”, we also offer more. Our onsite service center can handle a lot including oil changes and tire rotations. We also allow you to order parts and take advantage of our ever-evolving service specials. Finding more than whether tires affect MPG and get your car services with us!