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narrower tires and rims to improve gas mileage

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by tcjcllnm, Aug 23, 2014.

  1. Aug 23, 2014 at 5:33 PM
    #1
    tcjcllnm

    tcjcllnm [OP] New Member

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    I know changing filters and synthetic oil will increase fuel economy in my 2003 Tacoma, but narrower tires should add to the equation. Am I wrong?
     
  2. Aug 23, 2014 at 5:35 PM
    #2
    tan4x4

    tan4x4 Well-Known Member

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    Narrower tires should increase fuel economy a bit, due to less rolling resistance,
    ( unless they are mud tires :D )
     
  3. Aug 23, 2014 at 5:47 PM
    #3
    dmharvey79

    dmharvey79 Well-Known Member

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    One thing I noticed on my last vehicle was the impact of different tire types on MPGs...it was a car and switching from summer performance tires to all-season performance tires resulted in an instant 1.5-2MPG increase.

    Can anybody speak to this topic as it relates to our trucks? I can only assume that switching to a less aggressive tire, which would likely have a harder rubber compound, would also help with mileage.
     
  4. Aug 23, 2014 at 6:09 PM
    #4
    Styx586

    Styx586 Well-Known Member

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    Changing the filter will only help if your current filter is very dirty, even so it will be almost unnoticeable. I went from a dirty paper filter to a brand new K&N and noticed no mpg difference. Synthetic oil wont make an mpg difference over conventional (anyone telling you otherwise is trying to make more money by selling you synthetic). and I doubt you would see much of a difference at all by getting a narrower tire. maybe 1 mpg... like ^^^ this guy said you might see a difference by going to a street tire if you're running an A/T tire, but it would be minimal...
     
  5. Aug 23, 2014 at 6:17 PM
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    Tinmann

    Tinmann Well-Known Member

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    Unless your in need of tires, you will never recoup the cost of tires/rims vs the 1mpg gain. The cost vs gain is way out of balance!
     
  6. Aug 23, 2014 at 6:34 PM
    #6
    NYNURSE

    NYNURSE Well-Known Member

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    All things being equal, yes, skinnier tire will help fuel economy.
    There is a lot more to the equation as mentioned above, tire composition and tread design are the 2 biggest. Buy the tire best suited for what you use the vehicle for. You can't measure safety by MPG.

    There is nothing wrong with cheap wine or cheap women. Never skimp on tires or brakes. That will cost you.
     
  7. Aug 23, 2014 at 6:44 PM
    #7
    Darryle

    Darryle It is just a truck

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    Tire weight will show the biggest gains and losses. I am going from a 42lb 265/70/16 tire down to a 35lb 255/70/16 tire or a 34lb 245/70/16 tire.
     
  8. Aug 24, 2014 at 10:36 AM
    #8
    DSMJRV

    DSMJRV Well-Known Member

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    it will make a difference, i had some 70lb grabbers and when i changed them out to some more mild tread 40lb tires i picked up 3 mpg.. that is an extreme difference though, 5-10 lbs probably wont be noticable enough to justify the cost...

    so unless you are due for tires already, you will never recoupe the $500+ cost of those tires..
     
  9. Aug 24, 2014 at 10:49 AM
    #9
    Archer550

    Archer550 Well-Known Member

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    Going from the stock 265/70r16's (bridgestone all seasons) to 235/86r16 bfg A/t caused me to lose a full 2.5+ MPG (I was over 19 and now im in the 17 range). So even though they are skinnier, the added height+weight killed my mileage. Maybe look at a 245/70r16 like someone else mentioned. In a highway tire.
     
  10. Aug 24, 2014 at 9:22 PM
    #10
    Styx586

    Styx586 Well-Known Member

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    When going to a bigger tire you also have to account for the odometer readings being slightly off, The same way that your speedometer is off. So if you use ur trip odometer to calculate mpg ur numbers are going to be wrong...
     
  11. Aug 24, 2014 at 10:35 PM
    #11
    Archer550

    Archer550 Well-Known Member

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    I've calculated for the minor % of change dude
     
  12. Aug 24, 2014 at 10:58 PM
    #12
    tacomataco2

    tacomataco2 A dude

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    Some of this Some of that
    Tire width doesn't really make a difference, gearing and tire weight has a much bigger impact
     
  13. Aug 25, 2014 at 12:08 PM
    #13
    Fenwick1993

    Fenwick1993 Hillbilly

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    Skinnier tires would mean less rolling resistance, so you may see a small increase in mpg. But I think the weight of the tires would have more to do with it.
     
  14. Aug 25, 2014 at 4:11 PM
    #14
    tcjcllnm

    tcjcllnm [OP] New Member

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    Great answers folks, I never considered tire weight of the tires. As for the thread from Styx586 stating synthetic oil does not make any difference on mileage, well, maybe not on your truck, but I've gained 3 to 4 mpg in going to a K&N filter and amsoil. I'm still at 21 mpg, I get better out of my 2500 diesel! Thanks to all!
     
  15. Aug 25, 2014 at 4:27 PM
    #15
    frizzman

    frizzman Well-Known Member

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    go to a 245/75-16, ~ same OD as 265/70-16 hence the stock steel wheel size

    yep ^

    if you gained 3-4 mpg on synthetic + filter there was some serious issues going on you need looked at.


    one other thing that makes a huge difference is that appendage attached to your right leg. less yeehaw means more mpg. also air up your tires. 40psi is what I run in my A/T and I've gotten a solid 19+ combined with less giddie-up on start.
     
  16. Aug 25, 2014 at 7:37 PM
    #16
    Styx586

    Styx586 Well-Known Member

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