How does bigger tires affect mpg

Of course, re-gearing is key. Once you fit 35s it recommended to go with either the 5. Yes, there are many important factors to consider when squeezing bigger tires on your truck. Those factors include but not limited to:. Yes, sure, a larger tire will in most cases increase ground clearance and overall off-road performance, provided your vehicle has enough torque to move those heavy tires and your drivetrain can accommodate the additional weight.

Sure, there will always be a situation when the larger tire will outperform. This highly depends on the application. I guess it all depends on the level of wheeling you enjoy doing, or if the truck is a dedicated off-road rig and not being used as a daily driver. These are just some of the factors that will be affected. I would say maybe 1 mpg less. The size and shape of the contact patch affect traction, performance, and handling, but can also have an impact on fuel economy.

Generally speaking, a larger contact patch will mean more rolling resistance, which means fewer MPG. This is especially true of a wider contact patch. Wider tires will improve traction one key reason people like to install them , but that added traction will, by nature, make the tires harder to spin and keep spinning , ultimately requiring more fuel.

Tire tread also plays a part in fuel economy. There are plenty of bigger tires with standard tread, but again, many people want bigger tires for improved traction when off-roading and navigating rough terrain — unfortunately, it does come at a price. Most vehicles leave the factory with tires sized for peak fuel efficiency, meaning they are designed to work in perfect unison with the motor, transmission, and axles.

Changing the tire diameter will create a discrepancy in the system, in effect changing the force output of the engine. As the engine revs, it exerts torque or twisting force on the axles and, in turn, the tires.

This is simply because the torque is being applied across a larger diameter. Larger and thicker tires can significantly increase traction, as more tire means it has more road to grip onto and it also means there is less wear and tear on the tire due to it taking fewer rotations to drive down the same allotted path as a smaller tire.

That being said, this is just a subtle comparison between smaller, entry-level tires on a smaller truck. This is the smallest wheel and tire combination tested. It offered an average fuel economy of The average fuel economy sat at Beyond this, the specs change as well. It took the smaller tires a total of 7.

The one advantage that came with the larger tires is the improved braking.