Reduce Rolling Resistance, Increase Fuel Savings

It's no secret that the price of fuel is increasing and drivers are looking for new ways to reduce fuel consumption and save money. One way to do this is to reduce the rolling resistance of your tires.

Rolling resistance is the friction created between your tires and the road as you drive. The stronger the friction (or rolling resistance), the harder your engine has to work to overcome it. For instance, riding your bike with underinflated tires requires you to peddle harder and exert more energy. The same applies to your vehicle. In general, the more friction your tires generate on the road, the more effort your vehicle has to exert, which results in excess fuel being consumed.

One simple way to reduce rolling resistance is to ensure you maintain appropriate air pressure in your tires. The recommended air pressure is different for each vehicle, so please check your owner's manual or placard to determine the appropriate air pressure for your vehicle.

Another way to reduce rolling resistance is to purchase Low Rolling Resistance tires. These tires are specifically designed to reduce the amount of friction created between the tires and the pavement, by using rubber compounds that produce less friction on the road. The result is a significant amount of fuel savings over the life of the tires.

To identify Low Rolling Resistance tires, please look for this icon:

Using Low Rolling Resistance tires does have its benefits, but the lower friction can also lead to reduced traction. As a result, these tires generally require a longer braking distance at higher speeds and may offer decreased handling performance in wet weather.

Beyond these tradeoffs, Low Rolling Resistance tires perform comparably to most regular all-season tires, while delivering better fuel economy.