5 Things to Know Before Buying Fuel Efficient Winter Tires

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Last Updated on January 19,

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Winter Tires vs. Fuel Efficiency- What You Need to Know to Optimize Bot

With fuel prices averaging $3.2 per gallon and climbing as high as $5 in some parts of the country, managing gas costs has become a top concern for many drivers. The prices per gallon are traditionally higher in the western and northern parts of the country. This is especially true in regions that get a lot of snowfall in the winter and freezing temperatures for months on end. But how do the winter tires impact the fuel economy? Here’s what you need to know.

How Do Winter Tires Affect Fuel Consumption?

1) Rolling Resistance

Rolling resistance is the friction between the tire and the road as the tire rolls. Winter tires have higher rolling resistance due to their deeper tread, aggressive patterns, and softer rubber compounds than summer or all-season tires due to their specialized features. All these factors contribute to increased resistance, which requires more fuel to maintain speed and acceleration.

2) Winter Tire Weight

Heavier tires increase the vehicle’s overall weight, directly affecting fuel consumption. Winter tires are often heavier because of their thicker tread and reinforced sidewall, making your engine work harder, especially when compared to lighter all-season or summer tires.

3) Winter tire tread Design and Pattern

Winter tires have deeper and more aggressive tread patterns to provide better traction in snow, ice, and slush. While it boosts safety, it does increase friction with the road surface, which can increase fuel consumption. On the other hand, summer or all-season tires with less aggressive patterns reduce rolling resistance, which helps to improve fuel efficiency in milder weather conditions.

4) Winter Tires Rubber Compound

Winter tires are made from specialized rubber compounds designed to stay flexible in cold temperatures. While this is great for improving grip on ice, it also increases rolling resistance, particularly on dry or wet roads that don’t require the same level of traction. The softer rubber also wears down more quickly, affecting fuel economy.

What Are The Actual Figures?

It depends on various factors, such as the displacement and power output of the engine, vehicle type, and tire size. The fuel consumption average values can increase by 5% to 15% when using winter tires. Mounting aggressive off-road tires, like 37-inch rubber, can increase the consumption by up to 25%.

Factors that Can Influence Winter Tire Fuel Efficiency

Understanding these variables can help drivers make more informed decisions about when and how to use winter tires without sacrificing fuel efficiency.

1) Driving Habits

Aggressive driving, including rapid acceleration, harsh braking, and high speeds, increases fuel consumption regardless of tire type. Winter tires are designed to provide better traction at lower speeds, so driving more conservatively in winter conditions not only improves safety but also helps to minimize fuel inefficiency. By adopting a more conservative driving style, drivers can reduce fuel inefficiency and extend the tire’s life.

2) Vehicle Weight

Heavier vehicles, like trucks and SUVs, naturally consume more fuel due to the extra energy required to move the additional weight. Adding heavier winter tires can further increase consumption, though lighter vehicles will experience a smaller impact on efficiency.

3) Tire Quality

Higher-quality winter tires often use advanced materials and construction techniques to reduce rolling resistance. While these premium tires are more expensive, the long-term savings in fuel consumption can offset the higher price.

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4) Tire Wear

Due to their softer rubber compounds, winter tires wear out faster than all-season tires. As the tread wears down, rolling resistance may decrease slightly, but this comes at the cost of safety. Regularly monitoring tire wear ensures better fuel efficiency and safety.

How To Improve Fuel Efficiency With Winter Tires

• Choose Energy-Efficient Winter Tires: Look for low-rolling resistance tires with strong winter performance.
• Regular Tire Maintenance: Keeping your winter tires in good condition is crucial for maintaining fuel efficiency. This includes regularly checking tire pressure, which is known to drop in low temperatures, inspecting tread depth, and ensuring that tires are correctly aligned.
• Drive Smoothly: Avoid sudden accelerations and maintain a consistent speed to save on fuel.
• Remove Winter Tires When Not Needed: Once winter conditions have passed, switching back to all-season or summer tires will help improve fuel efficiency and reduce wear on winter tires.

Is It Worth Spending More Money On Fuel?

Of course, it is! While winter tires may reduce fuel efficiency, they offer unparalleled safety and traction in harsh conditions compared to all-season or summer tires. The slight increase in fuel consumption is a small price for the peace of mind that comes with knowing your vehicle is properly equipped.

Winter is a magical time, a time of wonder—but it may also leave you wondering what type of tires are the right choice for the season. Different patterns, compounds, and price points can make choosing the right winter tire difficult, so read on to learn what factors to consider when picking out tires for winter weather. 

What Makes Winter Tires Special?

Tread Pattern and Depth

Compared to regular tires, winter tires are often designed with wider, deeper tread voids to help grab snow, eject it, and bring your tires closer to the road. Designated winter tires also feature aggressive tread patterns with intricate siping—tiny grooves that aid traction on wet and/or icy surfaces. The blocks of tread found on many winter tires also feature irregular edges that grip onto snow and ice. 

Different Tire Compounds

Unlike all-season or summer tires, winter tires are designed to stay flexible even in freezing temperatures. However, while the softness of winter tires means they remain grippy in cold weather, it also means that they wear quicker in warmer weather since there isn’t any snow to reduce traction. As such, it is crucial that you swap out your winter tires for all-season or summer tires when the cold subsides. 

How to Choose the Right Winter Tires for Your Vehicle

 

Get the correct tire size.

Generally, the wider the tire is, the better its traction will be—but in the snow, the opposite can be true. Where wide tires have a higher chance of floating on top of snow, narrower tires can help cut through snow to the road beneath. The latter gives your vehicle the best chance of maintaining traction in winter conditions. That said, when learning how to choose winter tire size, look for recommended options in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Using an OEM size tire is generally the safest option. 

Look for the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol.

Many all-season and all-terrain tires have an M+S symbol on them, which stands for mud and snow, but don’t let the “snow” portion deceive you. M+S rated tires are not the same as designated winter tires. Instead, look for the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol (3PMSF). Tires with this rating are meant to help maintain traction even in severe snow. 

Don’t settle when it comes to safety. 

We understand, the idea of spending money on tires for a specific season can be painful. You might be wondering if all-season tires can do the same job and save you money in the process. The short answer is no, though it really depends on the weather conditions in your location. If you live in an area that regularly gets below 45°F, a good set of winter tires can help ensure that your vehicle performs exactly how it should. After all, a good road trip means staying on the road.

Looking for a Fantastic Winter Tire? 

Bridgestone Blizzak tires could be the right choice for you! Made out of an advanced Nanopro-Tech & RC Polymer with aggressive siping and optimized tread width, they help ensure that your vehicle maintains grip in cold, wet, slick winter conditions. To top it off, their Multicell® Compound helps remove water on icy roads to prevent dangerous hydroplaning situations. 

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Fuel Efficient Winter Tires. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.