Gas prices can fluctuate and make it hard to budget for your annual fuel expenditure. However, there are other factors that might be impacting your fleet’s fuel expenses. One of them is tires. It may not sound like a crucial part of the fuel mileage equation, but poor tire condition can severely deplete your vehicles’ fuel efficiency.  

In this article we look at the connection between tires and fuel, and how you can ensure you’re not missing an opportunity to become more fuel efficient.  

How do tires impact fuel efficiency? 

Many aspects of your vehicles’ tires impact their fuel efficiency. These include: 

• Pressure 
• Quality 
• Alignment  
• Rotation frequency  
• Tire size and weight 
• Maintenance 

All these elements, if properly kept up with, will save you money on fuel in the long run.  

Tire pressure is crucial, because underinflated tires lead to increased rolling resistance, making your engine work harder to move the vehicle. Keeping your tires properly inflated can save your vehicles approximately $0.02/gallon. That may not seem like too much at a glance, but when you consider every vehicle in your fleet, and every mile driven over the course of a year, that adds up.  

Tire quality can also save you money on your refuelling bills. Some higher-end tires will come labelled as low rolling resistance (LRR) tires and are specifically designed to improve fuel efficiency by an estimated 3-4%. 

Proper tire alignment with your wheel “ensures that your tires meet the road at the correct angle, preventing uneven tire wear and reducing rolling resistance. Misaligned tires can drag slightly, causing your vehicle to use more fuel to maintain speed.” 

Regular tire maintenance makes sure all these elements are being routinely monitored, and catching any issues or damage that might detract from your fleet’s fuel efficiency.   

Best tire practices to keep in mind. 

To make the most of your fuel budget, and not waste any money because of improper tire practices, make sure to keep up these habits: 

• Conduct monthly tire pressure checks to ensure you aren’t losing fuel efficiency to underinflation.  
• Invest in LRR tires, when possible, for long-term fuel savings.  
• Conduct regular checks for wear patterns on the tire that may be indicative of the need for realignment. 
• If your drivers complain of excessive steering wheel vibration, check to see if the tires need realigning.  
• Ensure your fleets’ tires are rotated, usually every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, to maintain consistent rolling resistance.  
• Ensure you’re only using the right tire size recommended by your vehicles’ manufacturer. 

In conclusion… 

Tire maintenance and upkeep goes a long way in protecting your fleet’s fuel budget. If you’re ignoring this aspect of your vehicles’ fuel economy, it could be costly in the long run.