Rims, Tires, and MPG - Toyota Yaris Forums

Pavel Olavich · 03-22-2007, 05:54 PM

My question is very general, as I realize there may well be many factors.

What effect does replacement rims/tires have on MPG?

I want to replace the OEM steel wheels and the tires, not so much for looks, as for better MPG....what kind of rims/tires should I be looking at?

I'm ignorant on this topic so any advice I can get would be helpful.

Thanks!

rwseattle · 03-22-2007, 05:57 PM

Everyone has a different opion about this topic. You should do a general seach on Yarisworld and you will find 10+ Q & A. I drive LB with 16" 215/45/16 and NF210 lower springs. I don't see a change in MPG.

Pavel Olavich · 03-22-2007, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwseattle

Everyone has a different opion about this topic. You should do a general seach on Yarisworld and you will find 10+ Q & A. I drive LB with 16" 215/45/16 and NF210 lower springs. I don't see a change in MPG.

Going to a bigger rim, do you feel a decrease in torque at the front wheels?

I already did a search for what I posted originally but could not find anything that address specifically my question...

PetersRedYaris · 03-22-2007, 08:56 PM

A narrow light weight wheel/tire package is what you want for max MPG. The stock tires are narrow and have a low rolling resistance but you could save some weight with aluminum 15 inch wheels. Tire width increases drag a bit.

PetersRedYaris · 03-22-2007, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pavel Olavich

Going to a bigger rim, do you feel a decrease in torque at the front wheels?

I already did a search for what I posted originally but could not find anything that address specifically my question...

Loss of power is due to a weight increase, not size increase. Take two wheels identical except for size and the bigger wheels will always weigh more.

elsteverino889 · 03-22-2007, 10:46 PM

Ok the stock steel rims weigh 16.0 lbs, when you go to purchase your new rims just ask for the weight of each rim. I was researching this 2 nights ago and unless you wanna stay at 16's to not to lose power and u want 18's or somethin prepare urself to pay like $2000 for 16lb 18's.

mikeukrainetz · 03-23-2007, 08:28 PM

I actually read an interesting article which quoted wind resistance as being the worst contributor to low fuel economy as mpg decreased exponencially with speed. It also said a big factor was wheels - large wheels will obviously net poor fuel economy but the interesting part was wheel design. The more open the wheel design the less mpg, a closed wheel as ugly as it may look netted amazing mpg results. They refered also to skirted cars from back in the day like the old porsche racers.

Those moon type wheel covers some have been sporting on here might be a good buy.

03-22-2007, 05:54 PM	#1
Pavel Olavich Banned Drives: 2007 Yaris LB Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Orange County, Calif Posts: 284	Rims, Tires, and MPG My question is very general, as I realize there may well be many factors. What effect does replacement rims/tires have on MPG? I want to replace the OEM steel wheels and the tires, not so much for looks, as for better MPG....what kind of rims/tires should I be looking at? I'm ignorant on this topic so any advice I can get would be helpful. Thanks!

03-22-2007, 05:57 PM	#2
rwseattle Rwseattle View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Toyota Yaris (BASE) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 130	MPG Everyone has a different opion about this topic. You should do a general seach on Yarisworld and you will find 10+ Q & A. I drive LB with 16" 215/45/16 and NF210 lower springs. I don't see a change in MPG.

03-22-2007, 10:46 PM	#6
elsteverino889 View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris sedan black Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: MIA! Posts: 354	Ok the stock steel rims weigh 16.0 lbs, when you go to purchase your new rims just ask for the weight of each rim. I was researching this 2 nights ago and unless you wanna stay at 16's to not to lose power and u want 18's or somethin prepare urself to pay like $2000 for 16lb 18's. __________________ I was 17-20 I lived the "Lifestyle". Fast cars, skanky hood rats, and stupid kids trying to prove who was faster. -Spades(the one and only street racer)

03-23-2007, 08:28 PM	#7
mikeukrainetz View User's Garage Drives: 2006 Toyota Yaris Join Date: May 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 564	I actually read an interesting article which quoted wind resistance as being the worst contributor to low fuel economy as mpg decreased exponencially with speed. It also said a big factor was wheels - large wheels will obviously net poor fuel economy but the interesting part was wheel design. The more open the wheel design the less mpg, a closed wheel as ugly as it may look netted amazing mpg results. They refered also to skirted cars from back in the day like the old porsche racers. Those moon type wheel covers some have been sporting on here might be a good buy. __________________ http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2336679

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03-22-2007, 08:56 PM	#4
PetersRedYaris View User's Garage Drives: 2005 Scion xB Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Black Hills of South Dakota Posts: 1,059	A narrow light weight wheel/tire package is what you want for max MPG. The stock tires are narrow and have a low rolling resistance but you could save some weight with aluminum 15 inch wheels. Tire width increases drag a bit.