MPG Hit on Heavy Wheels

I'm running stock wheels, but have had tires weighing anywhere between 38 lbs and 53 lbs. I've had 245/75/16, 265/70/16, and 265/75/16 tires. All with a moderately aggressive AT tread. Fuel mileage has never varied in 14 years and 215,000 miles. Never found a measurable difference in any other vehicle I've owned in the last 45 years either.

When I went from a 38 lb tire to a 53 lb tire any difference in performance I didn't notice. It was probably there, but for whatever reason I just didn't notice. But when I replaced the 53 lb tires with 40 lb tires I was able to tell a small difference in acceleration. Fuel mileage didn't change though.

Heavier tires and wheels take more power to get moving and to accelerate. But once in motion don't require anymore power to keep them moving. In theory you'll use up brakes sooner with heavier wheels/tires.

If you see a significant loss of fuel mileage it isn't the weight. It is taller, wider tires with more aggressive tread patterns.

 

Weight is a factor plus sized tires with greater rotational mass factor in too.