Why Your New Car Tyre Might Be Secretly Killing Your Fuel Efficiency

Just got a brand-new set of tyres on your car? Feels great, right? Smooth ride, fresh tread, and that bit of extra grip on the road. But here’s something a lot of Gold Coast drivers don’t realise—your shiny new tyres might actually be burning more fuel than you think.

Yep, you read that right. Even if they’re brand new, the wrong type of tyre or poor maintenance habits can quietly ruin your fuel efficiency and cost you at the pump. So before you blame high petrol prices, let’s have a look at how your tyres could be the real fuel guzzlers.

1. Rolling Resistance – The Hidden Fuel Thief

The biggest culprit is something called rolling resistance. It’s the amount of energy your car needs to keep the tyres moving forward. Tyres with high rolling resistance create more drag, which means your engine has to work harder—and use more fuel.

What causes it?

• Tyres with aggressive tread patterns (like off-road or mud tyres)
• Cheap or poor-quality rubber
• Tyres that are too wide for your vehicle

If you’re mostly doing city driving or highway cruising around the Gold Coast, you’ll want low rolling resistance tyres. They’re built to glide along the road more efficiently.

2. Wrong Tyre Size = More Fuel Burn

Slapping on tyres that are the wrong size for your car might look tough or sporty, but it can play havoc with your fuel economy. Bigger or wider tyres add weight and increase drag, meaning your engine’s got to hustle harder to keep up.
 Stick to the manufacturer’s recommended tyre size—there’s a sticker inside your door or check your car manual. It’ll save you fuel and reduce wear on your suspension and brakes too.

3. Underinflated Tyres are a Fuel-Killer

This one’s a classic but still overlooked by so many. Underinflated tyres increase surface contact with the road, which means more friction and more fuel needed to keep the wheels spinning.

How often should you check?
 Every couple of weeks, especially with the hot and humid Gold Coast weather messing with air pressure. Use the air pump at your local servo—it only takes two minutes and can save you heaps over time.

4. Poor Wheel Alignment Eats Up Petrol

If your car’s pulling to one side or your steering feels off, your wheels might be out of alignment. This creates uneven pressure on your tyres, causing them to drag rather than roll smoothly.

The result?
More resistance, more fuel use, and uneven tyre wear. A simple wheel alignment can sort this out and get your fuel economy back on track.

5. Cheap Tyres Might Cost You More in the Long Run

We get it—saving money is always good. But going for the cheapest tyres you can find might end up costing you more on fuel over the life of the tyre. Low-quality rubber often means poor rolling performance and less efficient driving.
 Invest in reputable, fuel-efficient tyres from a trusted Gold Coast tyre shop. The upfront cost might be a bit more, but you’ll notice the savings every time you fill up.