How Much Do All Terrain Tires Affect Gas Mileage?
I still remember the day I got my first all-terrain tires. I was so excited to take my truck off-road and explore all the hidden trails in the mountains. But after a few months, I started to notice that my gas mileage was dropping. I wasn’t sure if it was the tires or something else, so I decided to do some research.
It turns out that all-terrain tires can have a significant impact on gas mileage. The tread on all-terrain tires is designed to provide extra grip on off-road surfaces, but this comes at the cost of increased rolling resistance. Rolling resistance is the force that opposes the forward motion of a tire, and it can have a significant impact on fuel economy.
What is Rolling resistance?
Rolling resistance is the force that opposes the forward motion of a tire. It is caused by the deformation of the tire as it rolls over the ground. The tire’s tread, inflation pressure, and the surface it is rolling on all affect rolling resistance.
All-terrain tires have a more aggressive tread pattern than highway tires. This gives them more grip on off-road surfaces, but it also increases rolling resistance. The larger and wider the tire, the greater will be the rolling resistance. Therefore, all-terrain tires can reduce gas mileage by 1-3 mpg compared to highway tires.
How to reduce the impact of all-terrain tires on gas mileage
There are a few things you can do to reduce the impact of all-terrain tires on gas mileage:
- Choose tires with a less aggressive tread pattern. This will reduce rolling resistance and improve gas mileage.
- Inflate your tires to the proper pressure. Underinflated tires have higher rolling resistance and can reduce gas mileage.
- Avoid driving on rough or uneven surfaces. This will increase rolling resistance and reduce gas mileage.
- Drive at a moderate speed. Higher speeds increase rolling resistance and reduce gas mileage.
By following these tips, you can help to reduce the impact of all-terrain tires on gas mileage and save money at the pump.
Expert Advice
In addition to the tips above, here is some expert advice on how to reduce the impact of all-terrain tires on gas mileage:
- Consider getting a hybrid or electric vehicle. Hybrids and electric vehicles have better fuel economy than gasoline-powered vehicles, so they can help to offset the impact of all-terrain tires.
- Drive less. The less you drive, the less gas you will use. Consider walking, biking, or taking public transportation instead of driving.
- Combine errands. When you run errands, try to combine them into one trip. This will help to reduce the amount of time you spend driving.
- Avoid idling. Idling your car wastes gas. If you are going to be stopped for more than a minute or two, turn off your engine.
FAQs
Q: How much do all-terrain tires affect gas mileage?
A: All-terrain tires can reduce gas mileage by 1-3 mpg compared to highway tires.
Q: What can I do to reduce the impact of all-terrain tires on gas mileage?
A: You can choose tires with a less aggressive tread pattern, inflate your tires to the proper pressure, avoid driving on rough or uneven surfaces, and drive at a moderate speed.
Q: Are there any other ways to save gas?
A: Yes, you can consider getting a hybrid or electric vehicle, driving less, combining errands, and avoiding idling.
Conclusion
All-terrain tires can be a great way to improve your off-road performance, but they can also have a negative impact on gas mileage. By following the tips and advice in this article, you can help to reduce the impact of all-terrain tires on gas mileage and save money at the pump.
Are you interested in learning more about how all-terrain tires can affect gas mileage? Leave a comment below and I’ll be happy to answer your questions.
