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.

4793847939

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

[93patrol]

These plug kit are similar to the ones tyre shops use very easy to do but they don't plug side walls. I used to use them on my road bike R1 they lasted the time of the tyre approx 8000km but that was the tyres life.

I have recently plugged my friends maxxis bighorns and he has done 15000km since then without any leakage or drama. In saying that these shouldn't be used for long term really to get you out of a jam and to the nearest tyre shop and they can use a proper internal patch if the tyre is near new. If it only has about 20000 km left I PERSONALLY wouldn't bother and run with the plug in just move the tyre to the rear wheels.

[harrythomas]

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.

4793847939

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

Thanks Cuppa,

Best if you never need to use it but it does look to have all the bits and pieces like the Ridge Rider kit I have been looking at ($44.99). If there is no better recommendation coming it sounds a good deal.

Harry.

[lhurley]

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

Cruise control gives me worse ecconomy. I can drive smoother and more consistant then my cruise control. Plus on hills, I can just accelerate a little bit, losing minimal speed whereas the cruise will floor it to hold speed.

[megatexture]

X2 my old hilux and current ranger have 10 times better cruise control, the patrol gives subtle boost to power to maintain speed and I find it annoying and yep come to a hill and it wants to drag race up it lol

[Patrol 1993]

Thanks to all who replied or participated in this thread.
I was after real stats or official figures that can tell me if it is worth going to taller and / or narrower tires.
I will continue to search the WWW and post the interesting web sites on the next thread.

Thanks,

Neil.

[threedogs]

tread pattern may well be what your after as well as H/T compared to L/T.
LTs are better build quality, with a stiffer side wall.
MTs are tougher again, but an All terrain pattern
like the Cooper ATRs will give you little rolling resistence.
Keep your pressures no more than 40 psi for HWY work
or down to 30 for rocky and dirt tracks depending on conditions.
A plug kit is always worth carrying,and easy to use

Tyre pressures to suit your Patrol will be on a placard inside the drivers door

[Patrol 1993]

The ALDI Kits are for sale in their catalog this week.

Neil

[Scorpiovee]

Ideally, find a tyre size that will keep your speedo true. Tread pattern will play a big part too. There are some tyres out now that claim to aid fuel economy, usually marketed as enviro tech or similar.
Tyre repair plug kits are very handy to have. You can repair tyres that are still on the vehicle, you can use more that one cord if you need, I put 7 in one hole! I've used $17 SCA ones, as well as ARB branded ones. All with the same result. Difference it the quality of the tools more than anything else. Find one that has an eye in the insertion tool, not a hook, much easier to use. And NEVER try to repair the sidewalls. They aren't constructed the same way as the tread area is. Will just lead to a blowout, most likely at speed, on a bend, with murphy saying his law is right!

[threedogs]

Keeping your Patrol clean and travel with the windows up.
just because it says 100kph or 110 kph doesn't mean you have to
I tow on the speed limit and return 14/100k. but saying that 95 or even 90kph
might give me better fuel figures

[threedogs]

Keeping your Patrol clean and travel with the windows up.
just because it says 100kph or 110 kph doesn't mean you have to
I tow on the speed limit and return 14/100k. but saying that 95 or even 90kph
might give me better fuel figures

[DX grunt]

Go the cheese cutters! lol

[Patrol 1993]

Well on my last trip I got a blow out.60837
Pulled into Goondiwindi and a nice tyre place helped me out with a second hand tyre 265/75/16.
Only thing was the spare I had was 265/75/16 and the others are 265/70/16. The Joys of buying a pre loved vehicle.
So I matched the size on the rear to 265/75/16 and when I got home I bought 2 more 265/75/16 tyres for the front wheels.
Now all the sizes match.
I will let you know how it goes on fuel and other things.

Neil

[Rock Trol]

For economy I think either the 365/70 or 265/75 R16's are the go. They are a good compromise of width and height. Any higher and or wider and you fuel usage will increase. If you had 7 inch rims (one piece) you could try the 235/85 R16 without the tubes which would have lower resistance on the road. You could also run them at around 40 psi and use plug kits. It's probably not worth buying another set of rims to go to a skinnier tyre though as you will probably not make up the difference in fuel savings.

[blocko05]

Just food for thought, You could just stick with a set of H/T tyres in the exact size as the manufacturer put on them. After all they did spend a lot of time testing to get the best outcome for their vehicles which include fuel economy. you should have tyre size in the owners manual or a reputable tyre dealer should know. Fuel econo,y depends on so many factors and tyres are just one of them