Do bigger wheels and tires improve performance - Toyota Yaris Forums

Driver · 10-13-2006, 02:56 PM

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.

grimez · 10-13-2006, 03:09 PM

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 · 10-13-2006, 04:13 PM

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?

Lafiro · 10-13-2006, 05:24 PM

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

Yaris-TJ · 10-13-2006, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lafiro

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

Thanks! it's good to know!

hosmer · 10-13-2006, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 10-13-2006, 08:18 PM

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 · 10-14-2006, 12:16 AM

For what I can say ridding on 18'':
-Acceleration: the launch is better since you don't get wheel spin ( not a lot

I still burn my tires and yes i'am on 18'' thats what i call no mercy = 4 years of warranty

) 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

there is practically no sliding.
-MPG: well beauty comes at a price but its still giving me 32 MPG which is preety damn good

I myself don't agree with all the

of sticking to basics because of better performance

jeff_o · 10-14-2006, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hosmer

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 · 10-14-2006, 01:27 PM

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 · 10-14-2006, 02:04 PM

Z-rated tires baby, z-rated tires.

hosmer · 10-14-2006, 05:27 PM

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 · 10-14-2006, 05:47 PM

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 · 10-14-2006, 05:55 PM

SmellyTofu · 10-14-2006, 06:01 PM

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

10-13-2006, 02:56 PM	#1
Driver Drives: 07 Yaris silver manual sedan Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Queens New York, USA Posts: 145	Do bigger wheels and tires improve performance 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. __________________ Driver Time is an excellent teacher, unfortunately it kills all it's students

10-13-2006, 08:18 PM	#7
Black Yaris der Zeck View User's Garage Drives: '05 Audi A4 1.8t quattro Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Toledo, OH Posts: 5,231	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 __________________

10-14-2006, 12:16 AM	#8
YarisPR Drives: Yaris Sedan Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: MayaWest, Puerto Rico Posts: 1,574	For what I can say ridding on 18'': -Acceleration: the launch is better since you don't get wheel spin ( not a lot I still burn my tires and yes i'am on 18'' thats what i call no mercy = 4 years of warranty ) 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 there is practically no sliding. -MPG: well beauty comes at a price but its still giving me 32 MPG which is preety damn good I myself don't agree with all the of sticking to basics because of better performance __________________ I Drive a 129whp Yaris ;)

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10-13-2006, 03:09 PM	#2
grimez Drives: 2007 Yaris Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ames, Iowa Posts: 118	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.

10-13-2006, 04:13 PM	#3
Yaris-TJ View User's Garage Drives: Yaris Sedan ST Barcelona Red Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Tijuana, Mexico Posts: 84	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?

10-13-2006, 05:24 PM	#4
Lafiro Drives: 06 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 694	You keep the 'baseline' from what the car brings.

10-14-2006, 01:27 PM	#10
jdmkenji Drives: Black Liftback Yaris Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: USA Posts: 34	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

10-14-2006, 02:04 PM	#11
ChinoCharles Banned Drives: LB Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: OH Posts: 7,787	Z-rated tires baby, z-rated tires.

10-14-2006, 05:27 PM	#12
hosmer VVTrouble Drives: 07 Yaris LB...BS, MT, PP, ABS Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Providence RI Posts: 23	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

10-14-2006, 05:47 PM	#13
SmellyTofu 好多人& Drives: . Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sydney Posts: 264	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.

10-14-2006, 05:55 PM	#14
hosmer VVTrouble Drives: 07 Yaris LB...BS, MT, PP, ABS Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Providence RI Posts: 23

10-14-2006, 06:01 PM	#15
SmellyTofu 好多人& Drives: . Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sydney Posts: 264	Actually, slightly different wheels but that's the idea.