Understanding Why Gas Mileage Dropped After Getting New Tires
Have you ever wondered why gas mileage dropped after getting new tires? It’s a common problem that many car owners experience. So, what causes this, and what can you do to improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency? We’ll explore the causes of decreased gas mileage after getting new tires and the solutions you can use to improve your gas mileage. Keep reading to find out more!
If you’ve recently purchased new tires for your vehicle, you may have noticed a decrease in your vehicle’s gas mileage. This can be frustrating, especially if you expect better fuel economy with your new tires. So, what’s causing this decrease in gas mileage?
The answer to this question lies in understanding the factors affecting your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. In this post, we’ll explore the causes of decreased gas mileage after getting new tires and the solutions you can use to improve your gas mileage.
Causes of Why Gas Mileage Dropped After Getting New Tires
Several factors can cause your gas mileage to drop after getting new tires. Let’s take a look at each one in more detail.
1. Due to Rolling Resistance
Gas Mileage tends to drop after getting new tires because of full tire tread. This tread creates high rolling resistance and drags against the road, and increases fuel consumption. As tires get used to experiencing wear after frequent use, fuel efficiency becomes back to normal.
What is Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance is the force that opposes a wheel’s forward motion, causing energy to be lost as heat. It is one of the main factors affecting a vehicle’s fuel efficiency and is determined by a combination of the tire’s design, material, inflation pressure, and load.
In simple terms, the greater the rolling resistance, the more energy is required to move the wheel, which reduces fuel efficiency. Tire design and manufacturing aim to reduce rolling resistance as much as possible while maintaining other desirable tire characteristics such as traction, durability, and ride comfort.
Factors such as under-inflation, worn-out tires, and the use of incorrect tire types for the vehicle and driving conditions can increase rolling resistance and negatively affect fuel efficiency. It’s important to maintain proper tire inflation and to choose the right tire type for your driving needs to minimize rolling resistance and improve fuel economy.
2. Improper Tire Inflation
One of the most common causes of decreased gas mileage after getting new tires is improper tire inflation. Underinflated tires can cause your vehicle to use more fuel, as the tires have to roll further for the same distance.
This means your vehicle uses more energy, resulting in lower gas mileage. Additionally, underinflated tires can cause wear and tear on your suspension, leading to decreased fuel efficiency.
To ensure your tires are properly inflated, check your tire pressure regularly. The recommended tire pressure for your vehicle can be found in the owner’s manual or on the manufacturer’s website.
3. Tire Quality
The quality of your tires can also affect your gas mileage. Low-quality tires are often made with cheaper materials, which can cause your vehicle to use more fuel. These tires could be more efficient at providing traction and rolling resistance.
Additionally, low-quality tires may be less durable, which can cause them to wear out faster and require frequent replacements.
To ensure you’re getting the best fuel economy from your tires, buy quality new or blemished tires from a reputable manufacturer.
4. Wheel Alignment
If your vehicle’s wheels are out of alignment, it can cause your vehicle to use more fuel. This is because the vehicle will have to work harder to overcome the resistance caused by the misaligned wheels. An incorrect wheel alignment can cause your tires to wear unevenly, leading to premature tire wear and decreased fuel efficiency.
To ensure your vehicle’s wheels are properly aligned, have them checked by a professional.
5. Tire Size
The size of your tires can also affect your gas mileage. If you’ve recently purchased larger tires for your vehicle, it can cause your vehicle to use more fuel. This is because larger tires have more rolling resistance, which can cause your vehicle to use more energy.
To ensure you’re getting the best fuel economy from your tires, purchase tires that are the same size as the ones that come standard on your vehicle.
6. Tire Type
The type of tires you have on your vehicle can also affect your gas mileage. All-season tires may offer better fuel efficiency than winter tires, as they are designed to provide better traction and rolling resistance in all weather conditions. Additionally, all-season tires are often more durable, which can lead to fewer tire replacements and improved fuel economy.
When selecting tires for your vehicle, consider the type of tire that will provide the best fuel economy.
7. Driving Habits
Your driving habits can also have an impact on your gas mileage. Aggressive driving, such as speeding and rapid acceleration, can cause your vehicle to use more fuel. Additionally, driving with your windows open or using your air conditioner can also cause your vehicle to use more fuel.
To ensure you’re getting the best fuel economy from your vehicle, be sure to practice safe, fuel-efficient driving habits.
Ways to Improve Gas Mileage After Getting New Tires
Now that we’ve explored the causes of decreased gas mileage after getting new tires let’s look at the solutions you can use to improve your gas mileage.
1. Proper Tire Inflation
As mentioned earlier, proper tire inflation is essential to getting the best fuel economy from your tires. Check your tire pressure regularly and inflate your tires to the recommended pressure as indicated in your vehicle’s owner’s manual or on the manufacturer’s website.
2. Quality Tire Selection
To ensure you’re getting the best fuel economy from your tires, be sure to purchase quality tires from a reputable manufacturer. Quality tires are typically made with higher-grade materials, which can provide better traction, rolling resistance, and durability and also offers better fuel efficiency than lower-quality tires.
3. Regular Wheel Alignment
To ensure your vehicle’s wheels are properly aligned, be sure to have them checked by a professional. A proper wheel alignment can help reduce resistance, resulting in improved fuel efficiency, it can also help reduce tire wear, which can also lead to better fuel economy.
4. Driving Habits
Finally, be sure to practice safe, fuel-efficient driving habits. Aggressive driving and increasing your vehicle’s drag can cause your vehicle to use more fuel, driving with your windows open or using your air conditioner can also reduce your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
Conclusion
If you’ve recently purchased new tires for your vehicle, you may have noticed a decrease in your vehicle’s gas mileage. This can be frustrating, especially if you were expecting to get better fuel economy with your new tires. The answer to this question lies in understanding the various factors that affect your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. In this blog post, we’ve explored the causes of decreased gas mileage after getting new tires, as well as the solutions you can use to improve your gas mileage.
By following the tips outlined in this blog post, you can help ensure your vehicle is getting the best fuel economy possible. So, if you’re looking for ways to improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency after getting new tires, be sure to check your tire pressure, purchase quality tires, get your wheels aligned, and practice safe, fuel-efficient driving habits.
