Do Lifted Trucks Consume More Fuel? MPG & Suspension Lifts

Factors That Influence How Much a Lift Kit Will Reduce Fuel Efficiency

Almost every lift kit will have some type of impact on your gas mileage. How much of an impact it has depends on the kit and other factors like the size of the wheels and tires you pair with your build. Learn about all of these factors below.

Weight

The weight of a lift kit will influence your MPG a lot, especially if you’re adding a lot of weight. Depending on the size of the lift you can end up adding a few hundred pounds to your truck’s curb weight. This decreases fuel efficiency because the engine has to work harder to move the truck. You can minimize this risk by only replacing a few components, like shocks and struts, which weigh less than adding an entire air compression system.

Wheels and Tires

The wheels and tires you use will also determine how fuel-efficient your truck is. If you lift your truck four inches and go for 34 or 35-inch tires, your fuel efficiency will decline. Keeping your wheels and tires stock or only an inch or two bigger will reduce the impact that this has on your gas mileage.

Some lifts will require bigger wheels and tires, so it's something you have to consider when evaluating how high you want to lift your vehicle.

Aerodynamics

There's a reason that most race cars are low to the ground; the lower the vehicle, the more aerodynamic it becomes. In fact, even lifting your truck an inch can reduce its aerodynamics, which decreases its fuel efficiency. Essentially, the taller the truck, the more wind resistance you have to overcome. While this is negligible when you’re in stop-and-go traffic, at highway speeds you can lose a mile or two per gallon of fuel for every inch of lift.

How to Get Better Gas Mileage in a Lifted Truck

Unfortunately, we've established that lifting your truck will hurt your wallet when it comes to gas mileage, but what if you could mitigate these costs? Learn about how to get better gas mileage, even with a lift, below.

Consider the Type of Driving You Do

Dabble in off-roading? Or are you mostly commuting to work in stop-and-go traffic? Depending on your answer, a simple change like swapping to taller or shorter gears will improve your gas mileage, even with a lift kit. For highway driving, you'll want taller gears, and for stop-and-go traffic or off-roading shorter gears are better. Take a look at the gears that fit your truck to see what your options are.

Go with Small Tires

This might not be possible if you're driving over rocks when you’re off-roading, but if you’re lifting your truck for aesthetics, going with smaller tires can help you save some money at the pump. Bigger tires increase rolling resistance, so expect to notice a slight reduction in fuel efficiency with every inch of tire and wheel size you add. A great way to get around this problem is to use a separate wheel and tire kit for off-roading and committing. This can improve your fuel efficiency for your commute, but ensure that you have the wheels and tires you need for your next off-road adventure.

Accelerate Slowly

One of the simplest ways to save money at the pump is to accelerate slowly. Taking it easy on the gas pedal and keeping your RPMs below 2,000 will prevent the engine from overworking and burning more fuel; this applies to all types of driving, even if your truck is rocking the stock suspension. That said, this is important for lifted vehicles because your engine will have to work even harder to accommodate for the lack of aerodynamics and additional weight, so having a lead foot will really cost you – literally.

Lift Your Truck Without Breaking the Bank

Whether you want to add a little bit of lift to help your build stand out from the pack, or you need a lot of clearance because your weekend hobby is mountain climbing, we have everything you need to get the job done right. And if you have any additional questions about where to take your build or how much lift you need, our sales techs are at the ready to help you every step of the way.