Do bigger wheels and tires improve performance

[Driver]

:confused: OK, I won't have my Yaris till the end of the month but I've been reading a lot of posts with the pros and cons of bigger wheels. I'm getting the power package and 15" steel wheels. I've seen folks here getting 18" wheels. Please explain what larger wheels do to enhance the performance of the car. :help:

[grimez]

Bigger wheels = heavier = more power to turn the damn things = lesser fuel economy = performance drop

Overall, if you are going for performance, stick to the 15" area. If you are going for looks, go for the 24's... lol.

[Yaris-TJ]

I think this is a correct threat to throw this question..
When we receive from dealer stock either 14" 175/65 or 15" 185 / 60...is the ECU adjusted to either one tire diameter..
since there's a diff. of 3.4%..

if we want to upgrade to a bigger wheel, should we take 14 or 15 as baseline?:confused:

[Lafiro]

You keep the 'baseline' from what the car brings.

[Yaris-TJ]

You keep the 'baseline' from what the car brings.

Thanks! it's good to know!:biggrin:

[hosmer]

Bigger wheels = heavier = more power to turn the damn things = lesser fuel economy = performance drop

Overall, if you are going for performance, stick to the 15" area. If you are going for looks, go for the 24's... lol.


Unless....you get lightweight wheels


18's = too big/heavy basicly across the board

but, there are some light weight 17's on the market

Performance improvement............?
You'll stick to the pavement a little better (take-offs and cornering) with the wider wheels (yes, I know you can get 15x7" wheels, I have a set)...and it leaves room for bigger brakes, but thats about it.

Mainly its an esthetics thing

[Black Yaris]

I love my 15X7's..... the 225/50 stick to the road around corners like nothing... I have not done an exact weight comparison, but my 15X7's are much lighter than the stock steelies

[YarisPR]

For what I can say ridding on 18'':
-Acceleration: the launch is better since you don't get wheel spin ( not a lot :biggrin: I still burn my tires and yes i'am on 18'' thats what i call no mercy = 4 years of warranty :biggrin: ) I have raced against echos and scion both xA & xB and i have always come upfront. I also notice the bigger wheel = better speed in high gears 3rd and 4th. Also the gears are lot smoother at high speed and specially when racing with some echos and scion after 3rd year they are left back.
-Cornering: i bet you if u in your 15'' o 14'' can take the curves as i can :evil:
there is practically no sliding.
-MPG: well beauty comes at a price but its still giving me 32 MPG which is preety damn good :thumbsup:

I myself don't agree with all the :bs: of sticking to basics because of better performance :burnrubber:

[jeff_o]

Unless....you get lightweight wheels


18's = too big/heavy basicly across the board

but, there are some light weight 17's on the market

Performance improvement............?
You'll stick to the pavement a little better (take-offs and cornering) with the wider wheels (yes, I know you can get 15x7" wheels, I have a set)...and it leaves room for bigger brakes, but thats about it.

Mainly its an esthetics thing

isn't it the bigger rims the lighter your tires will be? because rims are alloys and you'll be installing lighter rubber (lower profile) which results in same or lighter overall wheel weight.

[jdmkenji]

some rims are lighter and some rims are heavier... depends on the design... and also depends on the kind of tires you get. honestly are you going to be racing or are you going for looks? rims is just one aspect of racing and performance, you will need to get some performance tires... what kind of racing are you doing? then you will need to compensate with proper suspension, power modification etc... good luck

[ChinoCharles]

Z-rated tires baby, z-rated tires.

[hosmer]

The new 17's (17x7) I bought weigh 14lbs a piece...my 15x7 Rewinds weigh 12lbs a piece....and the stock steelies (14") are probably pushing 16-17lbs

From what I've *heard*, the TRD 18's weigh 17lbs each


So, basicly, if you're going from a steel wheel, anything will be an improvment

[SmellyTofu]

Lighter rims generally have weaker construction unless it's made of fancy & expensive metals.

Thus generally the heavier wheels are the larger ones.

If you want a good performance, maybe see what size wheels they are using for the Vitz Cup in Japan.

15x7" TRD TF3 alloys (5.5 kg) and 195/55R15 tyres.

[hosmer]

http://www.planning-for.co.jp/hero%20vitz06_2.JPG

[SmellyTofu]

Actually, slightly different wheels but that's the idea.

http://www.trdparts.jp/image3/tr-vitz.jpg

http://www.trdparts.jp/image3/tr-wheel_tf3.jpg