Question about Tire Size and MPG

[aggieEB]

So right now I have Bridgestone Duelers (255/75/R16) on my 97 EB. I've had my truck for about 8 months now and they came with it. I figure that after driving it back and forth to California this summer I will need some new tires. I know I am going to get some BFG A/T KOs but I am debating about size.

My question is for those of you who have 285s or even 265s. How big of a dent did they put in your MPGs when you got them? Do any of you remember the jump from stock to your bigger tires and how much it set you back as far as gas mileage? I know that I will have to lift my X, that's not a problem. I just want to know how bad its going to hurt my wallet to go to 285s especially since I periodically drive from Texas to Arkansas to visit family.

Thanks

 

[Alec]

When I went from 29s to 31s and 3.27 to 3.73, my hwy mpg went down about 2. City wasn't affected very much.

 

[Robert]

The 255 75R16 tires on your Explorer are already a size larger than stock. The largest offered in '97 was a 255 70R16. Anyway, I went from a 255 70R16 tire to my current 265 75R16 and didn't see one bit of a change in my fuel mileage. My daily commute consists of about 18 miles each way of stop and go freeway traffic and 8 miles of stop and go city traffic. I got 16 city, 19 highway before and after my new tires. I have tracked my mileage after every fill up since I bought it 4 years ago. I know it's being **** but it is also a good indication if something isn't quite right.

 

[aggieEB]

Alec, Thanks man, even though we are supposed to be rivals, you are always one of the first guys to answer my questions. Hook'em.

Robert, So you really get 16 and 19? I am in the same situation with stop and go traffic all the way to school and back and I average about 14 city and about 19 highway with my 255s. When you put the 265s on, did you do a TT? Also, did the superchip help your mpg?

 

[Robert]

The only time I have gotten less than 15 MPG was when I was pulling a trailer across the US. At that time I was getting 11-12 MPG. If mine ever got 14 MPG, I would start looking for problems since it has never been that low. Tracking it every fill up helps me keep an eye on it. The best I ever got out of it was 20.5 MPG.

I put the TT/shackle lift on about three months after I put the tires on since I didn't like how the tires looked like they were stuffed in my wheel wells. The lift didn't do anything for clearance.

My SuperChip didn't have any affect on my mileage.