Tire PSI maximize MPG
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 188
Likes: 88
Tire PSI maximize MPG
Got to thinking this morning while I was on the highway. Front tires were at 66 PSI and Rears were at 68PSI.
If you were going on a long road trip lightly loaded or no load. Let's say 1,000 miles, no inclement weather to worry about like snow or ice, 70 degrees average outside temp. What would you set your PSI's at front and rear for the sole purpose of maximizing MPG?
If you were going on a long road trip lightly loaded or no load. Let's say 1,000 miles, no inclement weather to worry about like snow or ice, 70 degrees average outside temp. What would you set your PSI's at front and rear for the sole purpose of maximizing MPG?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 343
From: PG, BC, Canada
Empty, I don't think it would make ANY difference, even if you lower the pressures to 50Psi or even 40Psi... JMO 
EDIT; I do know for a FACT, that when I slowed down from 69M/Hr. to 62 M/Hr. loaded my MPG went from 10.5 to 11.2...
EDIT; I do know for a FACT, that when I slowed down from 69M/Hr. to 62 M/Hr. loaded my MPG went from 10.5 to 11.2...
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 7,958
Likes: 4,039
The higher the pressure, the less tread in contact with the pavement, the less rolling resistance, so therefor, better MPG. The lower pressure, the more tread is in contact with the pavement, the higher the rolling resistance, better traction, lower MPG. Skinny tires get better MPG than fat tires, so crank up the pressure and you ride on the center of the tread to get a skinnier tire.
On cars, tire pressures are set to gain the best possible MPG while getting the most passenger comfort, while truck tires are set to get the most payload.
On cars, tire pressures are set to gain the best possible MPG while getting the most passenger comfort, while truck tires are set to get the most payload.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 2,277
Likes: 949
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,094
Likes: 1,629
As the guys above point out, higher pressure gets you better mileage. Ride suffers on truck tires though. I have seen gains of at most 1mpg by setting my tire pressures at the max cold, but that was with sticky AT tires. Highway tires it is maybe .5 mpg.
Speed drives mileage moreso than tire pressure. Having a lighter foot saves fuel, period.
Speed drives mileage moreso than tire pressure. Having a lighter foot saves fuel, period.
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 14,256
Likes: 2,182
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,050
Likes: 1,549
From: Media PA
Max sidewall listed cold pressure and drive 5 MPH slower should deliver a noticeable increase in MPGs, I would guess about +10%. You shouldn’t see any measurable additional center tread wear in your hypothetical 1,000 mile trip. I always run the oversized tires on my Geo Metro 10 PSI over the max sidewall pressure and keep to or slightly over the speed limit and see 60/65 MPG tanks and the tread wear stays pretty even, but that’s a much lighter vehicle than a Super Duty.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,058
Likes: 424
From: Too close to Houston
More pressure means more MPG. But tires are expensive so you have to figure out if you’re saving enough on fuel to offset the accelerated tire wear.
That’s a more complex calculation that I don’t bother to attempt. I keep 60# in the front and 70# in the back on my SRW 350. The back is a bit overinflated but I don’t want to have to sit them up every time I load the truck. I put the fronts at 70 and the rears at 80 when hitched to the 5th wheel.
That’s a more complex calculation that I don’t bother to attempt. I keep 60# in the front and 70# in the back on my SRW 350. The back is a bit overinflated but I don’t want to have to sit them up every time I load the truck. I put the fronts at 70 and the rears at 80 when hitched to the 5th wheel.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 7,958
Likes: 4,039
Wait, you can DOUBLE the mileage on the tires, Pump them up so that you ride down the center, get great MPG but terrible control, then when the center is worn out, reduce the pressure so it rides on the edges instead, Terrible MPG but great soft ride.
Cross-Country
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 77
Likes: 4
I can vouch for the reduced speed= better mileage. 10 mph reduction is approx 2mpg. That said also slower start from stop less acceleration to pass. Ive done this a few times but have come to the conclusion my 7.3 likes tow haul sport mode and burning rubber. More fun, more gas but I dont care lol
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 810
Likes: 494
Got to thinking this morning while I was on the highway. Front tires were at 66 PSI and Rears were at 68PSI.
If you were going on a long road trip lightly loaded or no load. Let's say 1,000 miles, no inclement weather to worry about like snow or ice, 70 degrees average outside temp. What would you set your PSI's at front and rear for the sole purpose of maximizing MPG?
If you were going on a long road trip lightly loaded or no load. Let's say 1,000 miles, no inclement weather to worry about like snow or ice, 70 degrees average outside temp. What would you set your PSI's at front and rear for the sole purpose of maximizing MPG?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bigtexan99
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
8
Jun 6, 2012 09:51 PM