Can Tyres Improve/Reduce Fuel Efficiency?

Thursday 22 December 2022

Improving fuel efficiency is a significant concern for many drivers. If you can save fuel, you can save money, and you can reduce your carbon emissions at the same time. There are multiple things any vehicle owner can do to try and improve their fuel efficiency, but is selecting the right tyres one of them? You may already know that your choice of tyres can affect your driving performance, but perhaps you're unsure about whether they have an effect on fuel efficiency. If you want to make your car more efficient and you're looking for a new set of tyres, you're in luck. Choosing the right tyres and taking good care of them can have a positive effect on the fuel efficiency of your vehicle.

You might see various numbers, but it's generally agreed that some tyres can improve fuel efficiency by up to 20-25%. So how can the tyres on a vehicle affect how efficient it is?

Rolling Resistance

One of the factors that make a difference to the fuel efficiency of a tyre is the rolling resistance. Rolling resistance is the optimised ratio between the energy put into the movement and the external factors slowing it down. In other words, the friction of the tyres on the road. The higher the level of rolling resistance, the more your engine has to work and the more fuel it will need. Choosing tyres that have a low average rolling resistance will deliver higher energy efficiency. The engine won't need to work as hard to deliver the same amount of power, so it uses less fuel.

The Size and Weight of the Tyre

The size and weight of a tyre also have an impact on the overall fuel efficiency of the vehicle. As you might have guessed, heavier tyres are probably going to make the vehicle less efficient. The heavier the vehicle is, the harder the engine is going to have to work to keep it moving. There's less rolling resistance if tyres are lighter, and so greater fuel efficiency. However, there can be some exceptions. For example, if you often take long trips with little stopping and starting, it could be more fuel efficient to have larger tyres that cover a greater surface area.

Tyre Tread Pattern

Taking care of the tyre tread pattern is important for the safety of your vehicle, ensuring there is good traction on the road, especially during wet weather. But it's also an important factor in fuel efficiency, which could affect it positively or negatively. If the tyre tread is more of a rigid pattern such as the pattern on off-road tyres, you can expect there to be greater rolling resistance and therefore lower fuel efficiency. Tyres that are specially designed to help save fuel are generally smoother to provide less friction and resistance, while still ensuring the vehicle can be driven safely.

Tyre Tread Condition

Selecting the right tyre tread pattern is one of the things to keep in mind when buying fuel-efficient tyres. However, it's also important to keep an eye on the quality and condition of the tread. While less friction might mean greater fuel efficiency, a worn and uneven tread can impact fuel efficiency negatively. An uneven tread requires your vehicle to work harder, using up more fuel.

Tyre Pressure

Another way to assess the condition of the tyres on your vehicle is to take a look at the tyre pressure. You probably know that it's important to keep the pressure topped up to the right level for safety reasons. At the same time, it's also important to have the right tyre pressure if you want to save fuel. Maintaining your tyres is just as crucial as choosing the right tyres, so make sure you know your recommended PSI and adjust the pressure levels when it's required.

Maintain Your Tyres

Keeping your tyres maintained is one of the best things you can do if you want to improve fuel efficiency in your vehicle. Wheel alignment is also important, so don't forget to adjust your wheels when necessary. Choosing the best tyres for your vehicle and the type of driving that you usually undertake will get you off to a good start when you want to save fuel. Good tyre maintenance not only improves fuel efficiency to make your driving moree o-friendly but also saves you money and time by reducing how often you need to refill.

Your tyres can make a difference to the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. Get the right tyres and keep them maintained for optimum performance.