Does narrower equal better mpg's?

[mtbr guy]

Just thought I'd ask the professionals. When it is time to change my stock tires, would it be mechanically feasible to go with 245/75/16 or something very similar size wise. I don't really need the beefy stock size tires. Also, how much difference would I see in mpg's?

[wisbike]

all other things being equal (weight/tread pattern) then yes. Less rubber on the ground = less rolling resistance.

the problem is that only applies to the exact same tires (same tread pattern, same load range)

If you're looking for better mpgs, focus on a lighter tire with less agressive tread. Don't worry about width too much when considering MPGs

[masscomguru]

My MPGs sky rocketed with general grabber hts' . They are an extremely quiet tire too, great for the hwy. I went from 275 miles per tank with toyo open country a/t's to 350-375 miles per tank with the generals.

[skibum315]

The problem with a 245x75r16 (assuming you're comparing it to the 265x75r16) is that in addition to being narrower, it'll also be a smaller diameter ... it has the same sidewall section percentage as the larger tire, but that percentage is being taken on a smaller width.

If you want the same diameter in a narrower tire, you need to up the sidewall section percentage in addition to dropping the width. An example is that the 285x75r16 and the 255x85r16 are both roughly 33" tires.

That being said, I still can readily get 17-20 mpgs (depending on use) with my 255x85r16 Toyo MTs.

As was said; if you have a similar tread, similar diameter, and similar weight ... then yes, a narrower tire *should* give you higher mpgs. The problem is that all other things are never equal.

[5l33p3r]

the stock 265/70-16 and the 245/75-16 should be pretty equal when it comes to height, the 245's are 20mm narrower than the 265... the thing with the 245's is most of them are D or E load range which would offset the weight differance. i'd keep the 265/70 size and get a good tire or maybe step up to a 265/75-16 in a premium road tire... you might see better hwy MPG with the 75's...

-travis

[BlackTigerSE]

A negative number is a good thing... weight, height, width... All will benefit.

Something else to keep in mind, tread. The more aggressive, the more wind resistance.

[bucksnort]

Originally Posted by BlackTigerSE

A negative number is a good thing... weight, height, width... All will benefit.

Something else to keep in mind, tread. The more aggressive, the more wind resistance.

did you just break wind or did you mean rolling resistance?