How much more fuel do snow tires consume compared to regular tires?
3 Answers
Snow tires generally consume about 1.5 to 2 times more fuel than regular tires. Here is some relevant information about snow tires: Introduction: Snow tires (winter tires) are specifically designed for winter conditions, such as icy and snowy climates or regions with low temperatures. They serve as an alternative to snow chains. Strong grip: The rubber compound used in snow tires is different from that of all-season tires. Winter tires contain a higher proportion of natural rubber and silica, which makes them less prone to hardening in low temperatures compared to synthetic rubber tires. This allows them to provide better traction in cold conditions.
I've driven several cars with snow tires over the years and found they do consume slightly more fuel than regular tires, about 10% to 15% more. Having experienced a few winter accidents, I know safety comes first. Although the fuel consumption is higher, the tires provide more stable braking and better traction on icy surfaces, preventing major accidents. The increased fuel cost is more noticeable during highway driving, so I maintain proper tire pressure and avoid sudden acceleration to save a bit, but never at the expense of safety.
From my observation, winter tires consume about 8% to 12% more fuel mainly due to their deeper tread patterns, softer rubber compound, and higher rolling resistance. I remember one test where regular tires used 8 liters of fuel per 100 km, while winter tires consumed around 9 liters. The impact is less noticeable during slow city driving but becomes more apparent at highway speeds. Therefore, I recommend developing smooth driving habits after installing winter tires - avoid aggressive acceleration to mitigate the impact.
