Do Tires Affect MPG?

As any Milford driver knows, your vehicle’s tire health is one of the most important necessary factors in safe driving. But did you know that your tires can affect your gas mileage in several ways? Ensurin that your tires are properly maintained with regular tire rotations, and making sure you have the best tires for your vehicle will help you stay safe on Smyrna streets. Keeping up on maintenance doesn’t have a negative impact on your fuel economy. Find out more about how tires affect MPG with the Kent County Motors service department. 

Do Bigger Wheels Affect MPG? A Word About Rolling Resistance

Anything that adds weight to your vehicle is going to have an impact on how much fuel it uses, thanks to “rolling resistance.” A quick physics lesson: rolling resistance is the friction between your tires and the ground. The more resistance your car has to overcome, the more gas it needs to get the job done. Along with tire and wheel size, rolling resistance is affected by air drag and road quality, too. Because tires affect MPG, you might want to consider low-resistance tires with thinner sidewalls and more shallow treads. They weight less. Give them a try on Middletown streets. 

How Much Does Tire Weight Affect MPG?

How much does tire weight affect MPG? We have more physics for you! 

• A smaller object takes less energy to move than a larger one, so 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. 
• Larger tires have their place on Dover streets. They’re 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. 

Learn More About Car Care with Kent County Motors

From learning ways to improve your gas mileage to understanding what’s happening under the hood, you can learn more about car car when you visit the Kent County Motors service tips. Or, if your car’s ready for new tires and better gas mileage, schedule an appointment with us.