Choose These Tires to Save on Gas

You could save hundreds of dollars over the service life of your tires if you choose the right ones. We've got the 411 on making your best-informed new tire purchase.
Written by Elaine Duvet
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
When it comes to choosing
new tires
for your vehicle, there’s a lot to think about. It’s important to take into account how long they last, their wet-weather grip, price, and braking performance. Your tire’s rolling resistance can also save you lots of money every time you fill up.
Jerry
, the
trustworthy insurance comparison app
, looks into the factors to consider when choosing the best new tires to help you
save on gas

New tires with low-rolling resistance

What is rolling resistance exactly? It’s the energy needed to rotate the tires, which is affected by the friction caused when the surface of the tire meets the road. In fact, the Department of Energy found that tire rolling resistance contributes to 4 to 11 percent of fuel consumption. 
Fortunately, there’s been quite a few advancements in tire technology that help improve fuel economy. Automakers are working hard to meet stringent fuel-economy standards and consumers are seeking relief at the pump. 
If you achieve a 10% drop in rolling resistance, that equals about a 1% fuel economy improvement, according to industry studies. While it may not seem like much, with soaring summer
gas prices
, any fuel economy gains these days are a win. 
Consumer Reports found a 34% difference in rolling resistance between the best and worst performing all-season tires. Tires that make it to the top of its ratings typically have low rolling resistance, a long tread life, and excellent grip. It’s important to look past the tires’ Overall Score, and focus on the factors that best suit your needs.
Based on gasoline at $5 per gallon, if at least 12,000 miles were driven, that would equal about 14 gallons of gas (when considering the 34% difference in resistance). If you’re driving on top-performing tires, you could save about $70 a year, or up to $360 over the shelf life of your tires.
Purchasing low-rolling-resistance tires doesn't mean sacrificing all-weather grip, as many tires with the lowest rolling resistance found themselves in the top half of the best-ranked tires. 
Consumer Reports advises shoppers to prioritize safety factors like dry/wet braking and handling, then consider elements that are nice to have like warranty coverage and rolling resistance. 
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What affects new tire performance?

Thanks to their well-defined, deep treads, tires offer maximum traction when they’re new. Water  is routed through the side grooves to resist hydroplaning and the rubber strongly grips the dry road. They’re also great to claw through some fresh powder in the winter. 
However, the tires’ rolling resistance has never been worse. But over time, new tires’ fuel economy will improve as the tires wear, decreasing the amount of money you spend on gas. 
As a general rule, once your tire has reached 4/32 inches, it’s best to look for a replacement, even if you do get excellent fuel economy. Tires under 2/32 inches should be replaced right away. 
For hydroplaning, Consumer Reports measures the speed of the new tire's skin on the surface of the water, signaling a loss of steering control. The organization measures wet braking by recording the stopping distance from 60 mph. And snow traction is measured by noting the distance traveled when accelerating from 5 to 20 mph on modestly packed snow.  
If you’re looking to save, look beyond the purchase price for your next set of tires. Some of the more expensive options will save you cash down the road, reflected in rolling resistance and tread life. Choosing tires with long life and impressive traction will make owning them more cost-effective in the long run. 
MORE: Airless Tires Are on the Way

Best performance all-season tires to save on gas

The lower the rolling resistance, the better the fuel economy. The lowest-rated rolling resistance tires include the Nexen N5000 Platinum at a 9.1 rolling resistance force in pounds, the Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus II at 9.3, the Hankook Kinergy 4s2 at 9.6, and the General Altimax 365AW at 9.9.
Your next best options include the Continental PureContact LS at 10 pounds, the Nokian WR G4 at 10, the Yokohama Avid Ascend LX at 10.1, the Atlas Force HP at 10.1, the Sumitomo HTR Enhance LX2 at 10.2, and the Sailun Inspire also at 10.2.
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