Do Winter Tires Consume More Fuel Compared to Regular Tires?

[Elaine]

Winter tires do consume more fuel compared to regular tires. Here are the key differences between winter tires and regular tires: Winter tires have a larger contact area and are specially designed to have a higher friction coefficient than regular tires, which results in increased fuel consumption during use. Regular tires do not provide the same level of anti-skid performance as winter tires, have a smaller friction coefficient, and consequently consume less fuel than winter tires. The tread grooves of winter tires are deeper than those of regular tires, primarily to enhance friction between the tire and the ground. As a result, winter tires can increase fuel consumption by approximately 15% compared to regular tires. The material of winter tires is much softer than that of regular tires, providing better grip at very low temperatures. Winter tires feature over 1,000 anti-skid grooves, whereas regular tires only have about 200, contributing to higher fuel consumption.