If you ever got into a situation to change or lift the tire, you must have noticed they are heavy. The reason for that is because they are made from solid rubber, which is heavy. Either way, it is interesting to know how much tires weigh when compared between vehicle types.
There are a number of tire types, and their weight varies. You have small tires like lawn mower tires that weigh 5-6 lbs. Then you have a big van and truck tires that weigh over 50 lbs. Regarding regular cars, an average car tire weighs between 15 lbs for compact cars, and 27 lbs for family sedans.
To learn about tires, this is just the beginning. Weight is only one characteristic of a tire. There are also sizes, dimensions, and how much weight it can support. Also, there are season tires, which bring their specific weight. To go through this all, stay with us.
How Much Does the Average Car Tire Weigh?
To talk about an average car tire weight we need to mention what we consider to be an average car. Common tires for sedans and family cars are not the same weight as larger tires used for SUVs and light-duty trucks. But, since all these vehicles are in regular use, we will go through tire weight for all of them.
The same thing is true with engines. They also come in different sizes, shapes, and weights, depending on the purpose.
Understanding Tire Weight and Its Importance
Different types of tires are made in different dimensions. They can be made for different purposes and will weigh differently. Sometimes, the tires with the same dimension will have different weights because of several factors.
Tires can be made of different structures and for different means. Specialty and high-end tires will be heavier than regular tires with the same diameter. That is why it is important to make a difference between tires and their purposes.
The weight of tires impacts the vehicle’s performance and can offer different features. There are tires made for cars with a higher maximum speed. There are off-road tires. These factors will also impact their weight.
Also, it is important to know that seasonal tires also come in different weights. Winter tires have a different thread design, making them better for cold weather and snow. That increases their weight.
Before you choose the tires for your vehicle, you need to know how you will use your vehicle. Will you tow extra weight? Or do you want to cruise around? Regular tires offer basic features, and you cannot expect anything fancy. But for most drivers, that is all they are looking for.
Average Weight of Tires by Vehicle Type
Since there are different types of vehicles, their size, and purposes, tires also come in many different sizes and weights. Also, do not mix the weight of the tires with the weight of the rims. These are completely different values, and they do not mix.
Passenger Car Tire Weight
Passenger cars have a wide market range with different vehicle types. There, you have compact city cars, family sedans, and smaller SUVs. A tire of an average passenger car weighs between 15 and 27 lbs.
SUV Tire Weight
The tire of a bigger SUV can weigh anywhere between 45 and 100 lbs. Tires for utility and all-terrain vehicles weigh between 20 and 40 lbs. If we look beyond the normal pickup truck tire, we can find tires for those models that weigh more than 100 lbs. Special-made SUV tires can be big both in height and in weight.
Truck Tire Weight
Truck tires are built to withstand heavy loads, and that is one of the main reasons why their tires are heavier. SUV models sometimes use very similar tires, with an overall weight between 40 and 100 lbs. Larger truck tires, like semi truck tires, are sometimes heavier than 100 lbs. Also, there are specialist tires for those larger trucks that can weigh up to 300 lbs.
Factors Affecting Weight of Tires
Several factors impact the final weight of a tire. The most important ones are:
- Type of materials used for making a tire.
- The load capacity of the vehicle.
- The dimensions of the tire. Those include width, height, diameter, and sidewall height.
- Type of a tire. Standard tires will be lighter when compared to mud terrain tires. Premium tires are sometimes the heaviest tires, thanks to extra layers of rubber used to make them.
Can Tire Weight impact gas Mileage?
Yes, tire heaviness will impact the gas mileage. Heavier tires are usually bigger than lighter tires. Bigger and heavier tires will come in contact with a larger road surface. That will increase the resistance of the road, making your engine work harder. That results in higher fuel consumption.
Check Out the Do Bigger Tires Really Hurt Fuel Mileage?:
How to Accurately Calculate Tire Weight at Home
- Measure the surface area of the bottom of each tire using thin cardboard pieces. Before doing so, safely park the car and activate a parking brake.
- Place a piece of cardboard below the base of the tire. Wedge other pieces of cardboard under other parts of the tire to define the four edges of a tire.
- Measure a tire pressure with a tire gauge.
- Slowly move the car and the tire from the cardboard. Now, you should see a space between the cardboard. Measure that space and its length and width with a ruler.
- Calculate the surface area by multiplying the width with the length. The result should be in square inches.
- To calculate how much weight the tire supports, multiply the air pressure measured in PSI by the surface area.
- Do this procedure for all four tires. Add the weights of all tires to get the weight of the car.
- Check the user manual to see how close you got with your calculation.
What Is The Role of Tire Weight in Vehicle Dynamics
Tire weight impacts the unsprung mass of the vehicle. Unsprung mass is compromised of the total weight of all components unsupported by the vehicle’s suspension. Those include wheels, tires, shock absorbers, brakes, steering linkage, and lug nuts.
If the unsprung mass of the vehicle rises, that will negatively impact the performance of the vehicle. Heavier tires will respond slower to bums on the road, and the shocks will have a harder time balancing the ride.
Besides comfort, heavier tires will make the car slower, and the driver will notice this when accelerating. Brakes will also have to put in extra work when braking with heavier tires. Lighter tires require less force to stop rotating. Last but least, bigger and heavier tires will move harder in tight corner areas.
Tire Weight Distribution: Balance and Rotate
To keep your vehicle tires in top shape and well-maintained, you need to balance and rotate them regularly. There are three major reasons to pay attention to your tires, as they impact the comfort and safety of the drive:
- Balancing weight distribution. The tires sustain the weight of your car. It doesn’t matter the size of the tires you use; the potholes and damage to the road will cause problems for the tires. They will be moved out of the balance. That results in uneven wear of tires. That will also impact on the performance of the car. You will also notice unbalanced tires with the pressure on the steering wheel when driving at higher speeds. That is why it is important to rotate and balance the tires regularly.
- Decreasing the wear of individual tires. If the car has a front or rear-wheel drive train, the drive train wheels will have more friction when moving the car. When rotating the tires, they will wear out evenly. That way, the tires will come in term for replacement at the same time. That is the second reason why rotating tires is so important.
- Keeping the suspension functional. A worn-out tire won’t be able to handle uneven or damaged roads properly. When rotating tires, the new tires will come in place of the old worn tires. They will take the strain from those old tires. That way the suspension will function better for a longer time.
Tire Load Capacity and Ratings
The tire load rating is the value that indicates how much each tire can safely support. The tire’s load rating is marked with a stamp on the sidewall. Look for the mark “Max Load,” which should show how much the tire can handle. Depending on the market, this value is sometimes shown in kg or lbs. In other cases, the manufacturer used a rating code that can be a number between 71 and 110.
FAQs
How Much Do 17-inch Tires Weigh?
An average 17-inch tire used for SUVs and trucks weighs around 30 lbs. Again, this may vary, depending on the amount of rubber tire materials used for making a tire. Also, different types of specialty tires can weigh differently when compared to standard tires of the same dimensions.
What’s the Weight of a 16-inch Tire?
A 16-inch tire, a typical passenger tire, weighs around 22 lbs. Premium, high-quality tires will weigh more.
How Much Does the Heaviest Tire Weigh?
The heaviest tire weighs over 900 lbs. These giants are monster truck tires. Also worth mentioning are huge tractor tires weighing more than 400 pounds.
Are There Weight Ratings for Tires?
Yes, there are weight ratings for tires. It is called a tire load index chart, and it shows the load-carrying capacity of a tire.
Do all four car wheels need to be the same weight?
No, all four car wheels need not be the same weight, but their weight needs to be similar.
Final Considerations
Drivers don’t often think about tires. They wait to replace them until the mechanic tells them they are worn out. But tires are very important for everybody’s everyday drive.
Tires come with specific features and specifications. One of them is their weight. The weight of a tire dictates the speed, acceleration, and comfort of a car. Heavier tires tend to lower the maximum speed and acceleration. But premium tires are often heavier and offer longer work life.
When choosing a tire, you should look at your needs. For some, a budget tire is just fine, while others want performance tires. You should consider all this and add the weight of a tire into the equation. Buying a tire is not always a simple task, so it is good to know as much as you can.
