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I recently swapped out my regular tires for winter ones. But what impact do winter tires have on fuel economy? What about pollution? Are certain tires better for the environment than others?
–Bob
Dear Bob,
While swapping out all-season tires for a winter version isn’t a universal experience (my daredevil New England colleagues tell me they don’t do it!), it’s a ritual that has forever been a part of my Canadian driving experience.
Each November, Mr. Dot hauls out his car jack, rolls the winter tires out of our shed, and proceeds to undertake the loathed task. And then, for at least a week after, he moans about his sore back and vows to pay someone else to do this job next year. It’s a ritual as Canadian as vinegar on fries and maple syrup (the real stuff!) on pancakes.
While it’s true that my fuel economy goes down in the winter, it’s not entirely due to winter tires. Winter tires do increase what those in the biz call “rolling resistance” — deeper treads create more friction between road and tire, thereby requiring more fuel to move the vehicle — but other culprits have a more significant impact on winter fuel economy.
What are they? And what can we do? Read on.
