largest tire without gas milage loss

Lightest weight lowest rolling resistance +1 you can get if you do a lot of highway. Stock size or smaller if you do nothing but stop and go.

 

I can attest anything heavier than the 33 lb. firestone destination 245/75 16's started dropping fuel economy on my truck. It wasn't much, but it is noticeable.

 

Wow 33 pounds, amazing.

Surprisingly, my E rated skinny 33 are 52 pounds. I can get stock mileage if I drive like a grandpa who forgot his glasses.

 

Yes. A mud terrain in stock size let’s say, will take more fuel than highway terrain tire.

 

That’s not a great scientific experiment. You gotta have controls. Both versions should be driven the same. That’s why I have a hard time comparing my 2016 auto to my 2020 manual. I drive them different.

 

Go to Tirerack.com and check the weight of the tire. More weight equals less mileage.

 

Despite constant repetition on this forum, I think that is an open question. I have yet to see a peer reviewed study comparing tire weight to fuel economy. If you have a link, please share.

 

I remember when I put 13s on my Jetta..

235/75R17.. 245/70R17.. you couple probably get some really light P series all-seasons for cheap too.

 

Um, simple physics takes care of that question even with no test.
Not a big difference on interstate, huge difference around town do to the constant rotational mass acceleration from zero.

 

A wheel is simply an infinite number of levers, and the greater the weight at the non fulcrum end of the (class 3?)lever, the more input effort is required to move the same distance.
Try riding the same mountain bike 10 miles twice, but switch from the 10lb 29" inch wheelset with 2.6" tires to one with a 5lb 700c x 25 (same diameter rim as 29") wheelset for the second 10 miles. It is not anecdotal.
Hold a 10lb weight in your hand and try to lift it up in front of you. It will take more effort than doing the same with a 1lb weight.

 

I am running 265-70R17 SL's on my truck and have noticed no difference in fuel economy in the last 3 month I have had them on...

 

I’m aware of the physics of rotational vs translational inertia, but I stick by observation that no one has produced any evidence that tire weight has an appreciable effect on fuel economy compared to other things, for example rolling and air resistance.

I would not be surprised if I could take a low rolling and air resistance tire, add lead weights to it, and get better mixed driving fuel economy than a high rolling and air resistance tire. Of course I have no studies to reference either. It’s an open question.

If you analyze only the approximate theoretical effect, it’s clear that the change in rotational inertia in the tires is rather small compared to the total inertia of the truck. Multiply the extra tire weight by 2 and compare that to the same weight in your bed.

 

Ditto: Stock. Case closed

 

Taller or wider equals increased wind resistance and less MPGs as well: Physics.

 

.,.

 

Okay man. Everyone has their own reality. Enjoy yours.

 

How is this thread still garnering replies. Didn't think the question was that open ended.

 

Wut? You have a reality where there is scientific evidence of some long strongly believed truth on the internet that has no actual evidence of truth?

Granted, I cannot prove it wrong either. I can only be skeptical based on the available physical theories and lack of experimental evidence. I was taught to be skeptical in such situations.

 

Let me make something extra clear. I’m not skeptical that there is a correlation between tire weight and fuel economy. I’m skeptical that weight is a significant factor compared to other things.

There is a study of tire type and fuel economy that I’ll try to find. It makes no mention of weight. It is instead concerned with tire compounds, tread type, cross sectional size, etc.