Best tyre size for fuel economy

[Patrol 1993]

I have a GQ Patrol with 4.2 TB42E engine with 265/70/R16 tires on 8 inch rims.
The driving I mostly do is open road with a little dirt track activity on farms.

I would like to know from someone who knows the real skinny on tires.

What is the correct size tire for the best fuel efficiency. I have heard that the wider the tire the more energy it takes to move it.
I have also heard that if your tire is too tall then you use up fuel to overcome the oversize rolling diameter.

What size size should I get? Skinny tall 235/85R16? Wide tall 255/85R16?
Or maybe I will have to get different size rims.

I just need the correct advice.

Thanks

Neil

[my third 256]

stey with what you've got mate
if you want to go skinnys you need split rims ( more cost)
why get gas conversion to cut fuel cost down

[Chimo]

I just stuck a set of Goodyear Wrangler HTs on my GQ on the buy 3 get the 4th free program and they are so much quieter and softer riding than the ATs that I took off.

Its unbelievable. "She" is so much happier because of the ride on the freeway now!

For fuel efficiency use your cruise control, don't stop start and pump up the tyres to the correct number IMHO

Cheers
Chimo

[BigRAWesty]

Yea with above if your after a quiet and economical ride grab a set of 31x10.5 ht tyres

[HuskyInAuz]

I just put on some Toyo HT 265/70/R16 and they are quite and unless I'm pulling a trailer give a bit better economy. The noise level reduction over the BF Goodrich A/T's are significant.

[NP99]

I just stuck a set of Goodyear Wrangler HTs on my GQ on the buy 3 get the 4th free program and they are so much quieter and softer riding than the ATs that I took off its unbelievable.
"She" is so much happier because of the ride on the freeway now! For fuel efficiency use your cruise control, don't stop start and pump up the tyres to the correct number IMHO

Cheers
Chimo

Yep, cruise control will give good economy.....

[Cuppa]

I have a GQ Patrol with 4.2 TB42E engine with 265/70/R16 tires on 8 inch rims.
The driving I mostly do is open road with a little dirt track activity on farms.

I would like to know from someone who knows the real skinny on tires.

What is the correct size tire for the best fuel efficiency. I have heard that the wider the tire the more energy it takes to move it.
I have also heard that if your tire is too tall then you use up fuel to overcome the oversize rolling diameter.

What size size should I get? Skinny tall 235/85R16? Wide tall 255/85R16?
Or maybe I will have to get different size rims.

I just need the correct advice.

Thanks

Neil

My ex Telstra truck came with 235/85’s on split rims. I have since replaced them with 265/75’s & non split rims.

The total weight of the 265 + steel rim is, despite there being more rubber, lighter than a split rim with 235, quite noticeably.

The diameter of the 265/75 is almost identical to the 235/85. Just a bit wider.

On my truck I needed to run the 235’s at 68psi on the rear. With the 265’s I have been able to drop this to mid 40’s.

I haven’t noticed any real change to fuel consumption, but comfort on rough roads is greatly improved.

However as part of your decision making you might want to consider why Telstra stuck with the 235’s (mine was used in the red centre based out of Alice Springs & did a lot of rocky & sandy dirt roads).

My motivation to change was that I felt the higher pressures would put me at higher risk of blowouts & I also wanted to improve ride comfort.
I decided that as I carry two spares that I would rather just carry a ‘plug repair kit’ than deal with split rim repairs by the side of the road.
I also guess I succumbed to a degree of pressure from fellow forum members here where bigger & wider tyres are almost universally held in higher esteem than skinny ‘cheese cutters’ (to be fair, a view probably held by the majority of 4wd’ers in general).
Aesthetics/fashion plays a part, but there are some off road situations where wider tyres are certainly an advantage.
I don’t regret my decision to go a bit wider for my intended usage - long term touring, & would do thesame again.
Being able to physically lift a wheel more easily is a bonus for a small bloke like me.

[harrythomas]

My ex Telstra truck came with 235/85’s on split rims. I have since replaced them with 265/75’s & non split rims.

The total weight of the 265 + steel rim is, despite there being more rubber, lighter than a split rim with 235, quite noticeably.

The diameter of the 265/75 is almost identical to the 235/85. Just a bit wider.

On my truck I needed to run the 235’s at 68psi on the rear. With the 265’s I have been able to drop this to mid 40’s.

I haven’t noticed any real change to fuel consumption, but comfort on rough roads is greatly improved.

However as part of your decision making you might want to consider why Telstra stuck with the 235’s (mine was used in the red centre based out of Alice Springs & did a lot of rocky & sandy dirt roads).

My motivation to change was that I felt the higher pressures would put me at higher risk of blowouts & I also wanted to improve ride comfort.
I decided that as I carry two spares that I would rather just carry a ‘plug repair kit’ than deal with split rim repairs by the side of the road.
I also guess I succumbed to a degree of pressure from fellow forum members here where bigger & wider tyres are almost universally held in higher esteem than skinny ‘cheese cutters’ (to be fair, a view probably held by the majority of 4wd’ers in general).
Aesthetics/fashion plays a part, but there are some off road situations where wider tyres are certainly an advantage.
I don’t regret my decision to go a bit wider for my intended usage - long term touring, & would do thesame again.
Being able to physically lift a wheel more easily is a bonus for a small bloke like me.

Good Day Cuppa,

Could you tell me what brand of plug repair kit you have and if you have been unfortunate enough to need to use it was it any good?

Thanks,

Harry.

[Cuppa]

Hi Harry,
Have not had any need to use it & in fact have never used one before.
So whether what I have is any good or not I can’t really say. Instead I’ll keep my fingers crossed!
The kit is an Aldi one, an impulse buy, branded ‘AutoXS’.
It was only around $20. Pics lifted off another forum where the poster reckoned the kit was as good as another that had cost him twice as much.

screenshot_168.pngscreenshot_167.png

If anyone has experience of the Aldi kit I’d be interested to hear about it, & if I need something better would welcome recommendations.

[megatexture]

My work ute is running 3 plugs ATM they are great! No need to get them fixed they will out last the tyre.. I punctured a side wall once and plugged it and forgot to change it over once on the black top and ended having the side wall split/ blowout, I personally will never plug a side wall again! Lol

Don't be afraid to put more than one plug in the same hole also! Works a treat I've had 3 in once before it would hold air with no leaks