All About Fuel Efficient Low Rolling Resistance Tires
As fuel prices fluctuate, we know drivers are always looking for ways to make their money go further. You don't have to consider a more efficient gas-powered or electric vehicle when you can start with your tires!
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Fuel Efficient and Low Rolling Resistance Tires: FAQ
Fuel-efficient tires are typically tires with low rolling resistance. They're more fuel-efficient because they require less energy (i.e. fuel) to maintain a forward motion at speed.
While manufacturers design some tires to be fuel-efficient, there is currently no industry regulation or definition for fuel-efficient tires.
Manufacturers work very hard to stay competitive. They strive to comply with any regulations and out-feature their competition so they can add branding and bonus language (such as an MPG fuel efficiency sticker) to help sell their product.
For this reason, original equipment (OE) tires tend to be a little more fuel-efficient than replacement tires. This is also why most low-rolling resistance tires you see on the market are also OE tires.
Aftermarket tires often address a wider range of performance attributes and safety features, which can impact fuel efficiency. This reduction isn't too bad, however. Our product development team estimates that replacement tires may be no more than 10% less efficient.
Low rolling resistance tires are optimized to reduce the energy required to complete their rotation. The less force required to make them roll, the less fuel your vehicle will spend to keep them in motion.
Tires with low rolling resistance (LRR) often feature thinner sidewalls, shallower tread blocks and specialized rubber compounds. These features work in tandem to reduce the energy required to spin the tire, thus increasing fuel efficiency.
Yes, low rolling resistance tires are typically more fuel-efficient than non-LRR tires. However, it's difficult to measure how much more.
According to the USTMA, even as little as a 10% improvement in rolling efficiency can reduce fuel costs by up to $36/year (assuming gas is $3/gallon). With gas prices only going up, savings will go up in kind. With an estimated 263 million vehicles on the road, the savings could be in the billions.
As there is no industry standard for LRR tires, each manufacturer tests their tires differently, generally through competition with their other tires. This means there's no way to accurately compare fuel-efficient tires between manufacturers.
Ironically your new low rolling resistance tires may appear to be less efficient than your old tires. Newer tires have deeper, thicker treads compared to more worn tires which weigh less and have rubber compounds that have hardened, naturally reducing rolling resistance.
In a word: yes, fuel-efficient tires work, and they're often worth the purchase. They also don't necessarily cost more than other tires. But it's difficult to put a dollar amount on their worth because there are so many factors that affect fuel efficiency.
Tires designed specifically to reduce the amount of fuel required to operate them do yield some fuel and environmental savings by reducing gas emissions and fuel consumption.
The Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC) found a 2 – 4% improvement in fuel economy when you switch to a fuel-efficient tire.
Keep in mind that rolling resistance tests are performed in labs with fixed environments. Real-world results may vary due to road, weather and driving conditions. Other factors affect their efficiency, including tire wear, air pressure, temperature and damage.
Regardless, LRR tires will be more fuel-efficient than regular tires of the same size.
A healthy tire is a fuel-efficient tire. Both America's Tire and the United States Tire Manufacturer's Association (USTMA) recommend keeping your tires as healthy as possible for both safety and fuel efficiency.
What you can do:
- Keep your tires properly inflated. Correct tire inflation improves fuel economy.
- Maintain your tire's integrity and immediately repair or replace damaged or overly worn tires.
Although older tires tend to be more efficient (they roll more easily with less tread), they can be dangerous if they pass the safety threshold. Learn how to recognize when to replace your tires.
Want to protect your tires against unexpected damage with free tire repair and maintenance? Check out our Certificates.
Keep in mind that since larger tires naturally require more effort to turn, they will not be as efficient as a smaller size.
Yes, tire air pressure has a massive impact on gas mileage. When your tires are underinflated, your vehicle has to put in more work to rotate your tires, burning more fuel.
You can also look at our fuel calculator that factors in air pressure!
Yes, your electric vehicle likely comes stock with fuel-efficient tires.
Car manufacturers face stiff competition when it comes to fuel efficiency so they equip their vehicles with tires that will meet CAFE standards. These OE tires will almost certainly have low rolling resistance and may include other features like eco-friendly tread compounds and efficient tread patterns.
Aftermarket replacement EV tires also tend to have low rolling resistance designs so you can extend your battery range as much as possible.
Yes, all-terrain tires, mud tires and other off-road tires can have a big impact on gas mileage.
These aggressive tire types are thicker and heavier due to their construction. You will notice that you will get much better miles-per-gallon in a highway or touring tire compared to an all-terrain option, even in your truck or SUV.
Run-flat tires, though often touted as fuel-efficient, may actually end up being at best a wash.
They're said to be more fuel-efficient because they don't require you to store a heavy spare tire, thus reducing weight and increasing fuel efficiency for your vehicle. However, to stay operational in the event of total air loss, run-flat tires themselves are typically heavier and thicker than non-run-flat tires, meaning they are less efficient.
According to AutoGuide.com, their heft and construction can reduce their efficiency by 1-2%.
Remember, we are your tire and wheel experts. If you have any questions or are unsure which option works best for you, drop in or give us a call.
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