Does Wheel Size Affect Gas Mileage?

What's the MPG on those babies?

There are many things you can do to maximize fuel efficiency in a vehicle. Tires play a role and tire size can slightly affect your gas mileage.

Recommended Tires

Generally, the tires that will give your vehicle the best gas mileage are the original equipment tires; these are ones recommended by the manufacturer. Smaller tires do, theoretically, give you better gas mileage simply by weighing less but this difference is negligible.

Low Profile Tires

Low profile tires have stiffer walls that reduce flex and therefore require less energy to move and stop. This can improve fuel efficiently slightly--it offers a 4 percent increase overall--but this is typically offset by the re-gearing of RPM's to keep your car in optimal range. Overall, there's very little effect wheel size has on fuel efficiency.

Tire Upkeep

Tires can add to your fuel efficiency in way besides size. Be sure your tires are properly inflated and kept to the recommended pressure. Keep your wheels properly aligned; the average car with misaligned wheels saw just over 2 percent decrease in fuel efficiency.

References

• Land Line Magazine -- The Business Magazine for Professional Truckers: Bottom Line -- Tires and fuel economy