
February 7, 2025
How Fuel-Efficient Tyres Can Save You Money on Petrol

Petrol prices are sky-high, and every extra litre at the pump adds up. But did you know your tyres could be quietly chewing through your fuel? Switching to fuel-efficient tyres can help you go further for less—here’s how.
What is a Fuel Efficient Tyre?
Fuel-efficient tyres are designed to consume less petrol. Also known as eco-friendly tyres or energy-saver tyres, they are fuel-efficient due to the following:
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Designed with advanced tread compounds, fuel-efficient tyres reduce friction while maintaining strong road grip, helping you go further with less fuel.
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They come with innovative tread pattern designs that encourage efficient rolling.
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They are more streamlined and aerodynamic to lessen friction and drag.
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They are stiffer and rigid to retain their shape longer.
How do tyres affect fuel efficiency?
Tyres influence fuel efficiency in the following ways:
1. Tyre friction or rolling resistance
Rolling resistance is the force of friction between your tyre and the road when moving. When there is a higher level of rolling resistance, your vehicle will need more engine power to move it forward. To increase engine power, you'll have to use more petrol. The more petrol, the higher carbon emissions you will produce.
If your tyre is eco-friendly and designed to have less rolling resistance, your tyre won't need as much power to fight against friction with the road. You'll use less petrol and produce fewer emissions.
2. Tyre tread pattern
A tyre's tread pattern design can affect fuel efficiency.
The more aggressive your tread design like in off-road tyres, the higher rolling resistance and you'll need more petrol since they grip the road harder. However, for shallow and smother tread patterns like those found in racing tyres or slicks, you'll need less petrol and save more since they are designed to move fast.
3. Tyre size and weight
The larger and heavier the tyre, the more fuel you'll need to move it forward. This is why All-terrain and mud-terrain tyres are not as fuel-efficient as every day, highway terrain or urban traffic tyres.
But this is not a hard rule. It also depends on the driving conditions. For city driving, smaller tyres work best as they require less energy in stop-and-go traffic. For highway cruising, larger tyres help maintain speed more efficiently.
4. Tyre quality
If your tyre is brand new, it is more fuel-efficient than an older tyre with worn-down tread. Worn out and uneven tread means your car needs to work harder to pull itself forward.
5. Tyre pressure
If you have the wrong tyre pressure, expect to use more fuel - or worse, suffer an accident from an unexpected blowout.
When you have too little air in your tyres or low tyre pressure, more of the tread will be touching the ground, making your tyre heavier, increasing its rolling resistance and forcing you to use more fuel.
On the other hand, too much air in your tyres or higher tyre pressure distorts the shape. You'll have less of your tyre touching the ground, decreasing grip and traction and the centre of your tyre will wear down faster.
6. Wheel alignment
Misaligned wheels will increase overall rolling resistance because your tyre will not be in its optimal position. Get your wheels aligned regularly not just to save petrol but to also save your suspension and your brakes too.
Related Article: 8 ways to save gas with tyres
Maintain your tyres to encourage fuel economy.
• Check your tyre pressure weekly
Underinflated tyres are not safe and can increase fuel consumption by up to 3%!
• Uneven wear
Avoid uneven tread wear by rotating your tyres regularly and to catch any suspension problems early.
• Practice "eco-friendly" Smooth driving
Avoid sudden acceleration and deceleration to decrease your fuel usage and to prevent premature tread wear.
• Drive light
Having extra weight in your vehicle increases fuel consumption, so remove any non-essential items from your vehicle on a regular basis.
• Manufacturer's recommendations
Maintain your car according to the manufacturer's instructions.
In Conclusion
Fuel-efficient tyres help you cut petrol costs and reduce emissions—good for your wallet and the planet. Keep your tyres in top shape to maximise savings and performance.
Looking for a new set? Tyroola has a wide range of top-rated fuel-saving tyres from leading brands, including: