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What Improves Gas Mileage?

With prices of goods and services skyrocketing left and right, most of us are looking for ways to give our wallet a break. Between maintenance and fuel, cars can be a big monthly expense that feels unavoidable. You may not always be able to get to the gas station with the lowest prices, but there are other ways you can spend less long term. According to the Department of Energy, tires have an effect on 20-30 percent of your car’s fuel consumption. That translates to a significant chunk of change in the long run. We want to help you choose the right set of tires to keep your gas mileage as low as possible.

Tire Choice

Size matters when it comes to tires and gas mileage, as does the type of driving you plan to be doing. If you’re a city driver navigating lots of starting and stopping, smaller tires will provide you with better gas mileage. Their lower rolling resistance means less power is required to get them moving again after a full stop. However, if you’re going to be doing a lot of highway driving, larger tires may cut down on your gas mileage. This is because once the car is moving, it takes less power to keep larger tires moving when compared to the smaller size. Snow tires and all-terrain tires will always result in worse gas mileage, as they are designed to grip surfaces which causes greater rolling resistance.

Tire Inflation

It can be difficult to remember to fill your tires regularly, but doing so can make a big difference in fuel costs. Under inflated tires are soft, which means more rolling resistance. The Department of Energy estimates that keeping your tires properly inflated can improve gas mileage by as much as 3 percent.

Alignment

Tires that are misaligned can also really impact your gas mileage. When you have an alignment problem, it can cause your tires to drift left and right and even drag. A wheel realignment is a good idea not only for your gas mileage, but for the ease and comfort of your drive

Balance

Wheels that are not balanced cause similar problems as misalignment. A tire imbalance means likely less traction on the road, which spells gas mileage issues. This can also affect the wear pattern on your tires, which can cause misalignment and uneven deflation