Do Off-Road Tires Affect Gas Mileage?
Call us today at (888) 398-0078 for an instant decision on finance approval for new off-road wheels, tires, and accessories.
Off-road tires perform well on rugged terrain. They improve your vehicle’s off-road driving capability, providing a safer and more enjoyable driving experience. But how do they perform on regular streets and highways?
Do off-road tires affect gas mileage? The short answer: yes. In this post, we delve deeper into how they do so.
Tire Size and Weight
Off-road tires are almost always bigger than their standard counterparts. Ever wondered why? Tire manufacturers make off-road tires bigger to give you more control over mud, snow, and sand.
The manufacturers also use heavier materials on off-road tires to enhance tire performance and durability. Unfortunately, the larger size and additional weight force your vehicle to consume more fuel because of rolling resistance.
Tire Tread
Although off-road tires outperform highway tires in unstable or rough terrain, they perform poorly on standard highway roads.
Off-road tires typically feature aggressive tread patterns. The treads primarily differentiate them from regular highway tires. Since larger tire treads reduce tire contact with the road, they also reduce your vehicle’s fuel economy. Less road contact translates to less transfer of energy from the engine to the wheels and more fuel consumption.
All-Terrain Tires
If fuel efficiency is a top priority, consider all-terrain tires. These provide a smooth, fuel-efficient drive in regular and moderate off-road conditions. You’ll have to compromise performance both on open and trail roads to minimize fuel consumption.
High-quality off-road tires will give you decent performance and durability, but they can cost a pretty penny. Fortunately, you can always seek wheels and tires financing to help you upgrade your truck without breaking the bank.
How to Improve Gas Mileage on Off-Road Tires
Despite off-road tires contributing to lower fuel efficiency, you can take several steps to improve your car’s gas mileage.
Drive Carefully
Monitoring your engine RPM for optimal engine performance and choosing lower highway speeds can save a significant amount of fuel. Avoid heavy acceleration for better mileage.
Set the Proper Tire Pressure
Tire pressure can affect gas mileage significantly. Under-inflated tires perform just as poorly as over-inflated tires. One of the things to know when driving off-road is that if you air down when driving on the trail, make sure to air up again before hitting the open road.
You may also do a few vehicle modifications, like tuning up the motor or swapping out the rear gears to reduce fuel consumption.
Bottom Line
Overall, off-road tires contribute to reduced gas mileage on the open road. That answers the question, “Do off-road tires affect gas mileage?”
Ride Now, Pay Later
If you need new off-road tires, wheels, or accessories to build your dream truck? Look no further than Off-Road Rim Financing for easy financing.
Call us at (888) 398-0078 to learn more about our financing options and apply for no credit needed, low monthly payment options.
Visit our website for more information and answers to questions such as, “What do you do if you get a flat tire?” and, “Do off-road tires affect gas mileage?”
