Guess What? The Right Car Tyre Size Can Increase Its Mileage!

• Tyres affect the vehicle's performance on multiple levels. If it's bigger than the factory-fitting size, it will have adverse effects on the cabin noise level and the fuel mileage. Whereas, a size smaller than the recommended specification will be unsafe and will lead to under-usage of the car's features.

• Think of it like this - wearing a shoe bigger than your foot size will need extra strength from you to hold on to it and its weight. On the other hand, (or rather foot), a size smaller than your foot will be uncomfortable and compromise your stance. The solution is rather simple. Just go for the right size. Let's understand how the right-size tyre can amplify your car's efficiency and contribute to its mileage.

• Bigger Size v/s Right Size

  A broader tyre has a smaller sidewall and broad contact patch. This results in improved performance and handling,  but the noise, vibration, harshness (NVH) go for a toss. So basically, the ride quality suffers big time, plus our Indian roads are not helpful in this case.

  But the right-sized tyres will generate less noise while ensuring comfort even when passing over potholes or uneven roads. 

• So how does the tyre size impact the vehicle's fuel efficiency?

  The carmaker tests the car tyre size it recommends for low rolling resistance. And high fuel mileage can only be achieved when tyres have the lowest rolling resistance, i.e., minimum friction against the road's surface.

  Wider tyres automatically have a larger contact area. So they stick more to the surface, and this calls for more energy from the engine, especially at high speeds. This means more fuel consumption. This is where the right-sized tyre saves the day (and fuel). It has the right balance of grip and tread area, hence puts no extra pressure on the engine.  

• The tyre's weight can make or break mileage numbers.

  Bigger tyres obviously weigh more. The bigger the tyre, the heavier it will be, and heavier the tyre, the more amount of energy the engine will yield to control it. In simple words, bigger is not better.  Ask your engine.

  Lighter tyres require less energy to roll. Hence, more fuel efficiency can be derived from them. 

• The wheel type affects fuel usage.      

  The right tyre size can function well with the stock rim. However, a larger set of tyres sometimes needs a bigger rim or alloy to fit. This results in increased weight. The car's mileage is bound to witness a drop with a more massive  rim and weighty tyre.

  So it's advised to stick to the manufacturer-recommended tyre sizes in every vehicle. They have been tested for optimum performance (emission, tyre life, fuel efficiency) under varying conditions.

• But despite choosing the right sized tyre, an aggressive or fancy tread pattern or a shorter sidewall could lead to high fuel consumption. And another vital element that affects fuel savings is the tyre's air pressure. Under-inflated or over-inflated tyres are bad for fuel savings. So make sure you keep the air pressure up to the recommended level at all times. 

• So why pay a high car tyre price for large wheels only to suffer low fuel efficiency? Instead, opt for the right tyre size and get more value. Type in "car tyre shop near me" on your browser or simply buy tyres online.