MPG with lift and new tires?

Hello everybody, I'm looking at getting a small lift, 2 inches or so and some offroad tires. Not the most aggressive tread, admittedly I probably won't be doing a ton of offroading. How much of a drop in MPG am I looking at? I'm getting roughly 17 on the dot right now with stock everything.

Thank you!

 

You will probably drop down to 15. Welcome to the forum.

 

I was at 17mpg's on the dot as well and went down to 16mpgs with a 1.6" lift and 285's.

My 285's are P-rated Firestone Destination A/T's and are the lightest 285 I've seen on the market. A heavier A/T with a more aggressive tread pattern will certainly cause more of a decline.

 

I have 285/70/17 and a 2.5” lift. I average 15MPG.

 

What number do you look at to tell how light vs aggressive the tread is?

 

Thank you! That's not bad at all

 

Yeah same here. Was averging 16-16.5mpgs before getting a lift and 285 M/Ts. Now I’m averaging 14.5-15mpgs

 

The 2" lift will not decrease mileage at all. The tire selection and size will cause the lower mileage. If you go with P rated, same size and all terrain tire at most you will not see any decrease in mileage. The biggest cause of decrease mileage is larger size and weight of the tires. I leveled my 4runner and added same size and weight all terrain tires and I have no decrease in mileage at all.

 

That's good to know, thanks. So is the depth of tread or weight of the tire the bigger indicator on what will affect gas mileage more?

 

There isn't a number that tells you that necessarily. Tread depth may indicate more rolling resistance but it wouldn't be the case every time. Tire compound is in play here as well. Look at the tread pattern of an A/T tire and compare it to a M/T tire. The M/T tire will have more rolling resistance. You kind of have to go by looks on that one.

But what will have a bigger impact on mpgs is the tire weight. Manufacturers have tire spec details listed online and you can find the weight there. From lightest to heaviest, the ratings go like this: P, C, D, and E. It has to do with how many layers they put on the sidewalls.......which can help against sidewall punctures from things like sharp rocks. If you're only doing fire roads and light offroading, P-rated is fine and you will yield the best mpgs. If you're often in areas with sharp rocks, look at a thicker sidewall but the tires will weigh more and you'll take more of a hit on mpgs.

 

I’m kinda on the high end of drag, hence the SlvrSlug he-he.

 

I was averaging around 20-21 before my lift. After lifting (2.5" w/255-80R17 E load tires) I've been seeing about 19 with mostly highway but a little bit of offroading included. The weight of the tires plays a huge factor for true 33's (50 lbs).

I think I'll only consider 285's when I want to go 34's and get some 285/75R17's

 

You are, but you're looking good doing it!

 

Would choosing a smaller tire like 275 instead of 285 play a larger difference than the rating within the specific tire (P vs D)? May be a dumb question, I'm new to all of this! So thanks for explaining.

 

I think so, less frction on the road. I'm seeing it with my 255s on really no mileage change.

 

I was at 18.5MPG stock. Now with a 3” lift and 295/70/17 e load (10 ply) tires, I sit at about 16MPG. Super happy with it.

 

Mine hasn't really changed. I was at 17.5ish stock and always hoping to get it up to 18. Now with a 3" lift and 285 ATs I am at 17.5 but I know I am not getting up to 18 now. But my Runner is over two years old and only has 11,000 miles so might not be the best data point for comparison.

 

I see around 17 avg with 2.5" lift and C load 285 ATs and skids... down from 19 stock. But you have to manually calculate mpg, the larger tire size does slightly skewer the onboard computer calculations. You actually get a bit better mileage than the onboard would have you believe.

You and I may be the only C- Destination AT users on this forum. I love them. The new AT2 replacement looks a tad more aggressive but retains the off road goodness and on road stickiness / wet road traction that the previous version did. Muy bien!!!

 

My 4Runner is with the dealership. The 4Runner was already lifted and the tires that are installed are Toyo R/T Open Country 33x12.50R20LT. I have been having issues with the steering wheel shaking badly, and the dealership was informed by the company who did the lift, etc. that the 10 ply tires are the cause. The dealership is going to switch out the tires and gave examples of styles: Falken Wildpeak AT, Falken Wildpeak MT, or Nitto Trail Grappler AT.

Thoughts on tires???

 

I was at my tire shop I deal with for a long time looking over tires. I putting SCS wheels on my Pro. Staying with stock size and going with a Falkens 10Ply. Talking over it with my tire guy comparing tire tread the 10ply stock size has so much more depth on them. Not even jumping up to 275’s. Staying stock size even when I lift my Pro a little higher. I will have to check with him to seen if there having wheel shake issues with 10ply.

 

Nice to hear a good report on the Destination A/T2's. They look good! I won't hesitate to get those when my A/T1's are dead.

 

It's a good question and it's up for debate.

Personally, I think a P-rated 285 will get better mpgs than a D or E rated 275.

 

Depending on the tire maker just for example compare stock size 10ply to 6ply and sizes 265 and 275 price wise I think the 10ply is the better buy and more tread depth. Don’t know about comparing 285’s but I’m not going that route as of now.