Owning a vehicle is much more than just filling the fuel in it and driving. It requires you to follow several other steps to maintain its performance and ensure your safety on the road. It also requires you to understand the various terms associated with it. One such term is tyre rolling resistance. You might or might not have heard this term before. However, we know that a majority of drivers do not know what it means. Today, we are here to change this. 

This blog by the Apollo Tyres expert sheds light on what is rolling resistance and much more related to it. So, start reading below to uncover. 

What is Rolling Resistance?

When you press your accelerator while driving, it results in transferring energy in the form of electricity or gas through the engine and other parts of the vehicle. This eventually results in your tyres running and a build-up of momentum to move your vehicle. However, it is not as easy as it sounds. There are a lot of factors that your vehicle must overcome to move forward. These factors resist the forward movement of your vehicle. One such factor is the tyre rolling resistance. 

Tyre rolling resistance is the energy sent by your vehicle to the tyres to maintain its consistent movement and speed over a surface. In simpler words, rolling resistance refers to the effort required to keep the tyres rolling. Hysteresis is the main contributor to rolling resistance. It is the process that results in energy loss due to the tyre rolling. The lost energy is overcome by the vehicle’s engine, resulting in wasted fuel.

Can Rolling Resistance be Avoided?

Rolling resistance is bound to happen whenever your tyre comes in contact with the road surface. Therefore, it cannot be avoided. However, you can minimise it with low resistance tyres. These tyres are specially engineered with formulated tread compounds that offer high resistance to heat generation. Also, these tyres are composed to minimise tyre deflect for less energy loss.

Advantages of Low Resistance Tyres 

Drivers who wish to optimise the fuel efficiency of their vehicles find low resistance tyres highly beneficial. These tyres are much more fuel-efficient than traditional tyres. Research shows that using these tyres can decrease up to 10% of the usual fuel consumption. However, most drivers are able to reduce it by 3%. It might seem like a small difference. But its impact is much greater. Below is a detailed look into the advantages of these tyres. 

• These tyres significantly lower the fuel consumption of your vehicle and help you save on fuel. The enhanced fuel economy is beneficial for your pocket and also the environment. 

• Low rolling resistance tyres help you save money in different ways. For example, they reduce your expenditure on fuel. So, these tyres are a good investment for the long term. 

• The lesser fuel consumption makes these tyres a greener alternative to traditional tyres. Reduced fuel consumption also results in reduced emissions. So, these tyres help you minimise the negative environmental impact of your vehicle. 

• Rolling resistance is dissipated as heat. Therefore, higher resistance means higher heat dissipation. This can lead to a lot of stress over your vehicle’s engine. It can also result in tyre bursts, leading to severe accidents. However, these tyres reduce resistance, and eventually, the heat dissipation decreases. So you will not have to face any such dangerous situations. 

• The best low rolling resistance tyres for electric cars have silica in the tyre compound. Silica is a sand-like substance. It results in a better tyre grip and also offers better control over your vehicle on the road.

Final Thoughts

Rising fuel prices are a major concern for every vehicle owner. However, there are certain ways you can opt to reduce the fuel consumption of your vehicle. One such way is to replace your old tyres with low resistance tyres that enhance fuel economy and reduce your expenditure on fuel. We hope this blog has helped you understand yet another crucial term and phenomenon of your vehicle. So, buy the best low rolling resistance tyres for your electric cars and other cars from ApolloTyres to relish efficiency and comfort.