anyone know the benifits of lightweight wheels? - Toyota Yaris Forums

BrazdonW · 07-08-2007, 01:30 AM

i understand lighter wheels should be less work for the car and maybe pep the car up some but im wondering by how much? is there some kind of formula i can use to determine it?

BrazdonW · 07-08-2007, 01:49 AM

sorry wrong thread
but i still need answers lol

eTiMaGo · 07-08-2007, 02:14 AM

I'm not sure of an actual formula, but search google for the following terms:

Unsprung weight
rotational inertia

and you'll learn a lot

BrazdonW · 07-08-2007, 08:26 AM

good plan :)

slvryaris · 07-10-2007, 08:47 AM

Just less total weight. I seen something once talking about gas mileage for every like 100lbs you loose off your car you gain like 3% more fuel effiency. I have seen people toss their spare tire and everything.

CaysE · 07-10-2007, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slvryaris

Just less total weight. I seen something once talking about gas mileage for every like 100lbs you loose off your car you gain like 3% more fuel effiency. I have seen people toss their spare tire and everything.

Less rotational weight has a larger effect than less total weight. It's the same thing as having a lightweight flywheel: your engine can rev faster because there's less resistance to it spinning. It doesn't increase horsepower or torque (except to the ground), but it does increase acceleration.

*kimona* · 07-10-2007, 01:41 PM

I find it hard to believe that reducing rotational weight by just a few pounds per corner will make any significant difference in fuel savings or acceleration.

CaysE · 07-10-2007, 01:47 PM

Welcome to physics 101. o.O

And "significant" is subjective. On a car that makes less than 100hp, dropping 5 pounds off of each wheel is going to make difference enough that you'll notice it.

Turbo&Auto · 07-10-2007, 01:59 PM

True story.

brickhardmeat · 07-10-2007, 02:10 PM

unsprung weight matters, the less the better

CaysE · 07-10-2007, 02:17 PM

Lower unsprung weight is a result of lightweight wheels, as well, and will improve suspension response.

*kimona* · 07-10-2007, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaysE

Welcome to physics 101. o.O

And "significant" is subjective. On a car that makes less than 100hp, dropping 5 pounds off of each wheel is going to make difference enough that you'll notice it.

Actually "significance" is not subjective; it is a mathematical calculation with a foundation in simple statistical analysis.

Certainly less rotational weight makes some difference... "Welcome to physiscs 101"... but the question is whether a few pounds per corner will make any significant difference in gas consumption and acceleration.

brickhardmeat · 07-10-2007, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimona54

Actually "significance" is not subjective; it is a mathematical calculation with a foundation in simple statistical analysis.

Certainly less rotational weight makes some difference... "Welcome to physiscs 101"... but the question is whether a few pounds per corner will make any significant difference in gas consumption and acceleration.

the difference in consumption will likely come from over all weight loss any loss woul be a benefit to a degree but the unsprung weight is the wheels and tires

I think I'm just agreeing with you here

kurokoma-kun · 07-10-2007, 03:12 PM

My question would be, is there any disadvantage to lightweight wheels?

I bought mine based on design, but was pleased to find out they weigh just 11.8 lbs apiece! Then I read something that said wheels can be too light...something about reduced traction...which just confused the hell out of me...

brickhardmeat · 07-10-2007, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurokoma-kun

My question would be, is there any disadvantage to lightweight wheels?

I bought mine based on design, but was pleased to find out they weigh just 11.8 lbs apiece! Then I read something that said wheels can be too light...something about reduced traction...which just confused the hell out of me...

I doubt anything we could get are hands on in a 14 inch or more wheel size would be too light with a tire on it. I've never heard it put that way. I have heard about braking problems with oversized wheels. I think the lighter the better but then strength maybe an issue

CaysE · 07-10-2007, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimona54

Actually "significance" is not subjective; it is a mathematical calculation with a foundation in simple statistical analysis.

Certainly less rotational weight makes some difference... "Welcome to physiscs 101"... but the question is whether a few pounds per corner will make any significant difference in gas consumption and acceleration.

If you drive the car to work a few times a week and have plenty of money for gas, it is far less significant than someone else who is on a road or auto-x course looking to shave off tenths of a second. This is called subjective. English 101?

I'm just busting your balls, don't take it personally; I don't even know you.

I think we're on the same page... you're talking about daily driving and I'm talking about racing. You're not going to notice like a 20% improvement in gas mileage or something crazy, but you'll definitely notice better course times.

WRBlue · 07-10-2007, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brickhardmeat

I think the lighter the better but then strength maybe an issue

Thats the only issue for lightweight wheels.

If you ever look at Kodiak wheels, they are made for racing only. They aren't built to withstand the rigours of daily driving with pot holes and road debris. Driving with race wheels on the street is asking for a cracked wheel... But we're talking about <10lb 14" wheels...

kurokoma-kun · 07-10-2007, 04:14 PM

Ok so...

less rotating mass = reduced inertia = faster accel/deceleration?
lower unsprung weight = less up-down+side-to-side motion = better grip?

07-08-2007, 01:30 AM	#1
BrazdonW What kind of car is that? View User's Garage Drives: Yaris 3d liftback Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Columbia, MD Posts: 571	anyone know the benifits of lightweight wheels? i understand lighter wheels should be less work for the car and maybe pep the car up some but im wondering by how much? is there some kind of formula i can use to determine it? __________________

07-08-2007, 01:49 AM	#2
BrazdonW What kind of car is that? View User's Garage Drives: Yaris 3d liftback Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Columbia, MD Posts: 571	sorry wrong thread but i still need answers lol __________________

07-08-2007, 02:14 AM	#3
eTiMaGo vroom vroom View User's Garage Drives: lil red 5-door Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Posts: 7,744	I'm not sure of an actual formula, but search google for the following terms: Unsprung weight rotational inertia and you'll learn a lot __________________ The price of freedom of religion, or of speech, or of the press, is that we must put up with a good deal of rubbish. - Robert Jackson Bye bye 1NZ...

07-08-2007, 08:26 AM	#4
BrazdonW What kind of car is that? View User's Garage Drives: Yaris 3d liftback Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Columbia, MD Posts: 571	good plan :) __________________

07-10-2007, 02:10 PM	#10
brickhardmeat Lonesome Cowboy View User's Garage Drives: 2007 WHITE HATCHBACK Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Inner City, Dallas Posts: 2,995	unsprung weight matters, the less the better __________________ SPONSORED BY

07-10-2007, 08:47 AM	#5
slvryaris View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris Sedan S Join Date: May 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 885	Just less total weight. I seen something once talking about gas mileage for every like 100lbs you loose off your car you gain like 3% more fuel effiency. I have seen people toss their spare tire and everything.

07-10-2007, 01:41 PM	#7
kimona Super Moderator Drives: 2014 White VITZ Join Date: May 2007 Location: Huntington Bch, CA Posts: 4,938	I find it hard to believe that reducing rotational weight by just a few pounds per corner will make any significant difference in fuel savings or acceleration.

07-10-2007, 01:47 PM	#8
CaysE That Focus Guy Drives: 2004 Focus RSVT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: USA Posts: 51	Welcome to physics 101. o.O And "significant" is subjective. On a car that makes less than 100hp, dropping 5 pounds off of each wheel is going to make difference enough that you'll notice it.

07-10-2007, 01:59 PM	#9
Turbo&Auto Drives: 07 Join Date: May 2007 Location: home Posts: 236	True story.

07-10-2007, 02:17 PM	#11
CaysE That Focus Guy Drives: 2004 Focus RSVT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: USA Posts: 51	Lower unsprung weight is a result of lightweight wheels, as well, and will improve suspension response.

07-10-2007, 03:12 PM	#14
kurokoma-kun Drives: 2007 Yaris HB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: my own little world Posts: 1,256	My question would be, is there any disadvantage to lightweight wheels? I bought mine based on design, but was pleased to find out they weigh just 11.8 lbs apiece! Then I read something that said wheels can be too light...something about reduced traction...which just confused the hell out of me... __________________ my yaris, kurokoma-kun

07-10-2007, 04:14 PM	#18
kurokoma-kun Drives: 2007 Yaris HB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: my own little world Posts: 1,256	Ok so... less rotating mass = reduced inertia = faster accel/deceleration? lower unsprung weight = less up-down+side-to-side motion = better grip? __________________ my yaris, kurokoma-kun

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