Low Rolling Resistance Tires For Better Fuel Economy

One simple way to improve the fuel economy of your vehicle is to purchase tires that are rated as having a lower rolling resistance compared to conventional after-market tires. They improve the fuel economy of your vehicle by reducing the amount of energy lost due to flexing of the tire. It is estimated that 5-15% of the energy consumed by the average vehicle is used to overcome rolling resistance. This is due to the fact that as a tire rotates, the portion that meets contact with the ground is being squeezed flat against the road and as it the tire rotates, the portion of the tire bulges back out into its original shape. All of this flexing converts a lot of the forward momentum into heat.

Low rolling resistance or LRR tires reduce the amount of flexing and therefore the amount of energy wasted as they roll. This improves fuel economy if they're replacing tires that have a relatively higher rolling resistance. LRR tires may sound expensive and as if they have a small niche market, but auto manufacturers install them on most vehicles in order to improve their fuel economy and in some cases, just to meet the CAFE minimum standards. They're also very important for hybrid and electric vehicles as they can greatly improve fuel economy and range respectively. Owners of hybrid vehicles who have mistakenly had standard tires, with a higher rolling resistance as compared to the original ones from the manufacturer, have noticed a significant drop in their average fuel economy.

Where can you find LRR tires? Give your local tire center a call, they may be able to help you find the model and size tire that will fit your vehicle. Although, be prepared to do a bit of research on your own. Most manufacturers don't list the rolling resistance coefficient of their tires. Some manufacturers do market some product lines that promise to improve your fuel economy, but they might have another product that's cheaper and just as good in terms of efficiency. The best way to find out is to search forums related to improving gas mileage and fuel efficiency. Often, someone else who has a vehicle that requires the same size tire as your own may have already found a few brands and models that you could buy. And most importantly, they often review these tires, detailing how they handle, their tread life and how the tire performs in general and if they saw an improvement in their mileage.

The easiest way to improve the rolling resistance of your current tires is to simply keep them inflated to the proper pressure. On a side note, some hybrid owners and hypermilers (individuals who try to squeeze every last mile out of a gallon of gas) inflate their tires to pressures over the vehicle manufacturer's specifications. This can result in a stiffer ride, but as long as they don't exceed the maximum pressure rating of their tire, they see modest improvements in fuel economy.