How does lifting your truck impact MPG?

Thinking about a lift kit or leveling kit and wondering what it will do to your MPG?

The short answer: suspension lift kits can affect fuel economy—but the outcome depends on parts selection, ride height, tire choice, and how well the geometry is set up.

At FASS Motorsports in Washington, Missouri, we install lift and leveling kits every day. Here’s a clear breakdown of the factors that influence fuel economy and how to keep your MPG as strong as possible after you lift or level your truck.

1) Aerodynamics: Ride Height & Frontal Area

Raising the body increases frontal area and exposes more underbody components to airflow, adding drag. Roof racks, bumpers, and light bars can add wind resistance too. On highway drives where aero matters most, this can nudge fuel use upward.

• Keep it clean: A modest level or conservative lift typically has less aero penalty than a tall lift.
• Mind add-ons: If you add racks or wide accessories, expect more wind drag at speed.

2) Tires: Diameter, Width & Tread Pattern

Bigger, wider, and more aggressive tires weigh more and create more rolling resistance. Mud-terrain patterns and soft compounds can trade MPG for traction.

• Choose tires intentionally: All-terrain patterns usually roll easier than aggressive mud-terrains.
• Set pressure correctly: Under-inflation increases drag and heat build-up.
• Consider weight: Heavier tires and wheels take more energy to spin and accelerate.

3) Wheel & Tire Mass: Rotational Inertia

Upsizing to heavier wheel/tire combos increases rotational inertia. That means the engine works harder off the line and on hills, which can reduce MPG around town.

• Lightweight wheels help: Reducing unsprung, rotating mass pays back in responsiveness and efficiency.

4) Effective Gearing & Speedometer Error

When tire diameter increases, your effective gear ratio becomes taller. The engine may operate at lower RPM in a higher load range, which can hurt drivability and towing feel.

Your speedometer and odometer will also read low unless recalibrated, making hand-calculated MPG look better than it really is.

• Recalibrate the speedo: Corrects mileage tracking and transmission shift points.
• Consider re-gearing: Restores factory-like drivability and can stabilize fuel economy with larger tires.

5) Alignment & Driveline Angles

Improper caster, toe, or pinion angles increase drag and component wear. After any lift or level, a precision alignment and geometry check is essential.

• Use the right parts: Adjustable track bars, control arms, or radius-arm drops can re-center axles and correct angles.
• Quality shocks matter: Proper damping reduces tire scrub and keeps the truck settled at speed.

6) Added Weight: Bumpers, Racks, Armor

Steel bumpers, winches, sliders, and bed racks are awesome for protection and function—but weight is the enemy of MPG. Every pound requires more energy to move and stop.

7) Maintenance & Fuel Quality

As you add tire and aero load, clean fuel and filtration become even more important for consistent performance.

• Stay on top of filters: Engine air filters, fuel filters, and proper service intervals all contribute to efficiency.
• Optimize fuel quality: Systems that remove entrained air/vapor and water, and filter down to fine particulates, help maintain smooth fueling and injector performance over time.

Real-World Expectations

There’s no single MPG number that fits every build. A mild level on efficient all-terrains might show little change in economy.

A taller lift with heavy wheels/tires and aggressive tread usually uses more fuel—especially at highway speeds. Smart parts selection and correct setup often make the biggest difference.

How FASS Motorsports Can Help You Keep MPG in Check

• Build planning: We’ll help you pair tire size, wheel weight, and lift height to your goals (daily driving, towing, off-road).
• Proper geometry: Install kits with the right supporting components and perform a precision alignment.
• Speedo calibration & gearing advice: Get accurate mileage tracking and factory-like drivability back.
• Fuel system expertise: Guidance on filtration and service parts to keep fueling consistent.

Get Started with FASS Motorsports

Ready to lift or level without sacrificing more MPG than you have to?

👉 Shop lift kits, leveling kits, wheels, tires & accessories
👉 Visit FASS Motorsports in Washington, MO for expert installation and alignment

Our team serves Franklin County and the St. Louis metro with clean installs and honest guidance—so your truck looks right, drives right, and stays efficient.

Questions? We’re Here to Help.