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07-24-2009, 01:25 PM | #1 |
Drives: 2009 Base Hatch 2 Dr Auto Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: nj
Posts: 4,790
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14 vs 15 inch tires
My 2009 Yaris Hatch came with the 15 inch wheel option. Im wondering if this is helping the mileage any? (I assume the gears in the tranmission/final drive etc are the same...or am I wrong about that?) I know compared to my ECHO the Yaris just wants to go in a straight line. It takes a far higher effort to make it turn, possibly due the the electric PS (which only seems to work at low speed) and possibly due to the larger wheels. Its much steadier on the highway compared to the ECHO but the ECHO is much nimbler.
So hopefully Im gaining some in the mpg department? |
07-24-2009, 02:46 PM | #2 |
Drives: 2007 Yaris Hatchback Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Beaufort, South Carolina
Posts: 388
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in specific to engine rpm's, yes the taller tire will result in lower rpm's at highway speed.
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07-24-2009, 03:00 PM | #3 |
Audio Junky
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I think it really depends on the type of driving you do... If you normally drive in the 30-40range where rpm's are generally pretty low the smaller wheel for its weight reductions would probably be best. However, if you do a lot of highway driving (55-75) and the rpm's are higher the taller wheel will help lower rpms.
Go too big tho, and you'll prolly run into torque & weight issues which would negate any benefit. |
07-24-2009, 04:17 PM | #4 |
Drives: S sedan Join Date: May 2009
Location: MI
Posts: 120
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electric PS in Yaris totally blows. I believe it is one of the culprits in why Yaris handles so weird at highway speed.
as for the original comment/question, I really don't think you're gonna see much gas saving based on 14 vs. 15 tire comparison. I think there's more gas to be saved by just getting an ecometer and drive steadily. |
07-24-2009, 04:34 PM | #5 | |
Audio Junky
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Quote:
I think people make a lot of statements about how it performs simply because they are used to completely different vehicles. You want to drive a vehicle that is scary at highway speeds... try driving a mid 80's jeep cherokee... small wheel base made the thing turn on a dime... high center of gravity meant it could tip easily... ruts would suck it in and make it feel like you were out of control. Also... I think a lot of these "weird" issues are reserved to drivers of automatics.... not sure if that says something about the people who buy automatics... or the transmission. |
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07-24-2009, 05:18 PM | #6 |
Drives: S sedan Join Date: May 2009
Location: MI
Posts: 120
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My direct comparison is between an EG hatchback which weighs ~2,300lbs. The hatch drive straight as an arrow on the freeway regardless of cross wind. Yeah, it's not as tall as a Yaris, but weighs nearly the same with essentially same wheel base (if not shorter). My opinion still stands. Yaris electronic PS =
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07-24-2009, 06:46 PM | #7 | |
Drives: 2013 Chevy Spark 1LT 5-speed Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 1,185
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Quote:
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07-24-2009, 10:42 PM | #8 |
Drives: Yaris Sedan 5MT Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SoCal
Posts: 865
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Considering this the the Fuel Economy Section... Electric Power Steering is great!
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07-24-2009, 11:19 PM | #9 |
daily driver
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most mpg difference between the echo and yaris will be due to engine tuning, gearing, rolling tire diameter, and the aerodynamics of the yaris vs the echo (i think the yaris has a lower coefficient of drag)
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07-25-2009, 09:04 AM | #10 |
Drives: 2009 Base Hatch 2 Dr Auto Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: nj
Posts: 4,790
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07-25-2009, 09:05 AM | #11 | |
Drives: 2009 Base Hatch 2 Dr Auto Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: nj
Posts: 4,790
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Quote:
Dont forget the Yaris is ~300 pounds heavier than an ECHO too. We need LIGHTER not HEAVIER. That Yaris is one sick pup... |
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07-25-2009, 10:46 AM | #12 |
Drives: Yaris Sedan 5MT Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SoCal
Posts: 865
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I love my mass delusion with my cereal... gets me great mileage.
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07-25-2009, 11:02 AM | #13 | |
Half a Bubble Off Plumb
Drives: 2009 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Bristol, Tennessee, USA
Posts: 1,593
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Quote:
But as for EPA ratings, the Echo was rated by an older test method, and the Yaris under the new standards which give lower numbers across the board. |
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03-02-2010, 12:12 AM | #14 |
Drives: 2008 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 323
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Note that the two options are 175/65R/14 and 185/60R/15
So it's not just the wheel. The 14 inch wheel gets a tire which is 0.4 inched narrower, but due to the 65 profile the sidewall is actually *taller*. The end result is that the 15 inch wheel option is only about 3.4% greater diameter than the 14. |
03-02-2010, 09:15 AM | #15 | |
daily driver
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Quote:
sidewalls are the same, just the wheel is 1" smaller....so the overall height of the wheel/tire setup is 1/2" shorter....thats the 3.4% difference in diameter
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03-02-2010, 04:29 PM | #16 |
Drives: 2008 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 323
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03-02-2010, 05:02 PM | #17 |
daily driver
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nope, you're right....must have typed it wrong this morning
still, the bulk of the difference is not in the sidewall of the tire
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03-03-2010, 08:21 AM | #18 |
Drives: 2008 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 323
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The taller sidewall offsets the smaller wheel size by 20%. But my point is really that, overall, there is not much difference between the two configurations. The 15 is 3.4% higher diameter. The 14 is 4.9% narrower.
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