2025 OR vs 2024 Sport

So I had a little trouble with an oil change at the dealership so I got a loaner while they rectified their mistake. It was a 2024 Sport with 800 miles on it, 6’ bed, with noticeably larger tires. I didn’t get the size but I did notice they were larger.

I have a 25 OR with the stock 17” Wranglers on it.

The 24 Sport was noticeably slower to accelerate and just wasn’t as peppy as my OR. Do you think this was because of the weight of the larger tires? My OR shifts really quickly through the first 4 gears where the Sport hung onto each gear longer.

What do you think?

 

Well you did not give us much to go on here other than "noticeably larger" tires. But yeah, that can have an effect.

 

larger tires will do it. heavier tires will do it. larger tires are often heavier. So yeah.

 

Let's hear about this little oil change mistake the dealer made.

 

Indeed...it's all about physics! Changing the tire's motion (accelerate, decelerate) is a function of the mass of the tire and the square of its radius. It takes more energy to spin them up, but also down so not only does the truck have lower acceleration, but also lower deceleration and thus increased stopping distance. Of course, this translates to lower gas mileage and a shorter cycle time on brake pads and rotors.

 

Was one in sport and the other in eco mode? That would make a difference.

 

I won’t help in acceleration but bigger/heavier tires it can certainly help in mileage based on your driving habits if you learn to anticipate stopping.

Heavier tires have more inertia and will resist slowing down so you have the ability to coast longer. If you anticipate a stoplight, get off the gas and let your truck roll to the light rather than keeping in the throttle till you have to brake. The longer it’s coasting, the longer you are getting the absolute maximum gas mileage your truck is capable of. This also has the benefit of minimizing brake wear.

I’ve done this for the 5 years I’ve owned my 3rd gen sport and have a lifetime average of just under 21 mpg, with the vast majority being terrible C. Florida traffic city driving. Last time I had a service the mechanic asked me if I ever use the brakes because the original pads are on it, front and back, and they are still about 60% useful.

 

Would the bigger bed make a difference too?

 

Good question. I just got in and started driving like I do in my OR.

I guess like JB_TN, I didn’t give much to go on.

thanks for the replies anyway!

 

While I agree that driving habits will totally impact gas mileage, there's no way any gains from "coasting" with heavier tires outweigh the costs of acceleration with heavier tires. The truck will coast just fine with lighter tires and the gains in inertia of a heavier tire are insignificant compared to the weight of the truck and aerodynamic drag.