How much does fuel consumption increase when switching from 225 to 245 wide tires?
3 Answers
This increase in fuel consumption cannot be quantified as there are too many influencing factors. It can only be confirmed that switching from 225 to 245 tires will result in increased fuel consumption. Introduction to the differences between 225 and 245 tire widths: In terms of grip: The section width of 225 tires is smaller than that of 245 tires. The larger the contact area, the greater the friction. When used on drive wheels, 245 tires will feel more grippy than 225 tires. During rapid acceleration, 245 tires respond more agilely than 225 tires. Driving stability: 245 tires are more stable than 225 tires. The tread of 245 tires is wider, providing stronger lateral support compared to 225 tires, resulting in greater stability during cornering and lane changes.
Last year, I upgraded my car's tires from 225 width to 245, and I did notice an increase in fuel consumption. Driving the same routes as before, I'm burning about 0.5 liters more per 100 kilometers, which translates to an 8%-10% increase. The main reason is that wider tires have a larger contact patch with the road, increasing rolling resistance, so I need to press the accelerator harder to maintain speed. This is especially noticeable when driving in the city during traffic jams, adding about 50 yuan more to my monthly fuel expenses. However, the upside is much better cornering stability and improved grip in rainy conditions, reducing the risk of skidding. For those considering a tire upgrade, I'd recommend testing the actual impact on fuel economy first. If you mostly drive long distances, the effect might be less pronounced, but for frequent short commutes, you might want to think twice about the extra cost.
The impact of wider tires on fuel consumption is quite intuitive. For example, switching from 225 to 245 means a 20mm increase in width, which is like walking with bigger feet—requiring more effort and consuming more energy. The increased rolling resistance can theoretically raise fuel consumption by 2%-5%. On highways, due to the larger contact patch and better grip, the increase is smaller, around 3%. In city driving with frequent stops and starts, it can go up to about 8%. I remember my colleague's fuel gauge moved more noticeably after the modification, and he often complained about spending dozens more on gas each month. However, the trade-off is improved handling, especially safer cornering. Don’t forget to adjust the tire pressure to the standard value to mitigate some of the losses.
