Tires/MPG Question
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 111
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From: Ft. Myers FL
Tires/MPG Question
My truck is a 2006 SuperCrew 4x4. It came with 275/65R18 tires. About 12,000 miles ago I installed a 2" Auto Spring leveling kit and switched wheels and tires to 295/70R17. With the original setup I got about 13-14 mpg in town and 16-17 mpg highway. Now I get 13-14 mpg regardless of city or highway. Originally, I didnt care about the MPG because I didnt drive very much, but now I have to travel for work.
The question I have is what hurt the MPG? The bigger tires or the leveling kit affecting the aerodynamics of the truck?
I'm thinking about going back to the stock wheels with 285/65R18 tires. Anybody running these tires with a leveling kit? What kind of mpg are you getting?
Thanks for any input.
The question I have is what hurt the MPG? The bigger tires or the leveling kit affecting the aerodynamics of the truck?
I'm thinking about going back to the stock wheels with 285/65R18 tires. Anybody running these tires with a leveling kit? What kind of mpg are you getting?
Thanks for any input.
Sick 'n Tired
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,969
Likes: 47
From: League City, TX
Probably just the additional rotational weight of the tires. I've got the same rig with 20" stock rims and I also put a 2" lift on the front. I get the same crummy mileage with the lift.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 116
From: St James, Missouri
You also have to remember unless you have adjusted your odometer/speedometer you are going more miles than what the computer thinks you are with the bigger tires. So a digital readout or math with the trip odometer would both be off. Dont feel bad i have an 04 with 285 75 17 and i get 12mpg on average. My 98 chevy with 5.7 and 200k miles got 15 on average and 19 hwy.
New User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5
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I drive 2006 Supercab 4.6 v8 longbed and installed a K&N intake system and bed cover, each claims to increase mpg by 10%. I'm getting over 19 mpg combined city/highway as long as I take it easy on the gas pedal, and I tend to drive 10 mph over posted limit. I drive on average 100 miles per day back and forth to work. Hope this helps. On weeks were I get behind someone going less than speed limit, and punched the pedal several times during the week, I have gotten as low as 13.5 mpg. Easy on the gas pedal = easy on the wallet.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 799
Likes: 13
From: East L.A.
...another thing to drive you crazy about tires, the rubber compounds that allow the best braking and handling are often the most resistant to rolling. So the safer and more capable the tire, the more rolling resistance (usually). The General tires that came on my truck are rated very good for rolling resistance, and very poor for wet or dry braking. So when I switch to a more capable tire soon, I expect my mileage to drop. I'm not even upsizing. That would further agrivate the mileage by adding more rubber to the contact patch for even more rolling resistance. They are not a Prius...
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 379
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From: Minneapolis, Mn
Mileage
Paul
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