The Secret to Fuel Efficiency
There are many factors that affect fuel consumption in a vehicle. Some of them are related to tires, as the only link between the road and the vehicle. That's why proper tire maintenance can significantly reduce fuel consumption. Let's break down each factor of fuel consumption separately.
The first and most basic factor is, of course, "rolling resistance".
The tire physically resists rolling. If you push the tire, it will stop sooner or later. It's how quickly the tire stops that indicates its rolling resistance. Tire developers have long been improving the composition of rubber compounds to reduce rolling resistance. This allows the vehicle to move more easily, which in turn requires less energy and fuel. When choosing tires for fuel economy, it's worth paying attention to their rolling resistance class, denoted by letters from A (the lowest) to G (the highest).
The second factor, of course, is tire pressure. The recommended tire pressure is important for optimal fuel economy. Insufficient pressure can lead to increased rolling resistance, which requires more fuel. On the other hand, excessive pressure reduces rolling resistance and saves fuel, which is why car owners often intentionally overinflate their tires. However, this should not be done, as increasing pressure leads to a reduction in the contact patch and poor traction. And, of course, the tires will wear out much sooner due to uneven wear on the central part of the tread, which bears the main load.
The final factor that the driver can influence is size. It is known that narrower tires can reduce rolling resistance, as they interact with the road on a smaller area. That's why electric vehicles often have narrow tires. It is recommended to follow the recommended size. It is not recommended to replace the tire size on the vehicle yourself, as this will guaranteed change the characteristics that the manufacturer has calculated.
