Just a question

dunno even if i should put this here, but....i sold my rims (yall already know) and i got manny's stocks. they're 13" and i've noticed that i go a little faster off the line (that i knew). but here's the question.....do the smaller rims help my gas mileage? i've heard that they do and i've heard that it doesn't matter. so for you guys that know more than i do....please answer the question. J,i figure you'll be the first one. lol

[Bulldog Stang]

Actually, J is too slow... LOL

The smaller rims will save a bit on gas consumption. It really all depends on your actual tire height. I can have 15" rims with some 25" tall tires and it is the same as the stock rims or my aftermarket 18" rims. My height is still the same. Also weight has something to do with at as well. Just my .02

[95civicgsr]

sorry i just saw this so i guess i am too slow, bulldog enjoy this because this is the only placeyou will be faster than me. tire size and wheel weight both affect acceleration and gearing. tire diameter (taller- shorter) will change acceleration as well as your spedometer. a lighter wheel will be easier to move so it will take less energy to move it esp from a stop.

so i am infact saving a little gas going from a 16" to a 13"?

[DropTopDrifter]

It's not just the size of the rims....it's also the size of the tires.
My everyday tires are 195/65/14 which are about an inch taller, which changes my gearing...but it does improve gas mileage...but a slipping clutch will just get worse running on changed gearing.

My race tires are 195/60/14 that one inch difference makes a huge difference...the actual gas mileage difference is due to that height difference...but it's also due to the lack of torque to the wheels because of it. These wheels are great....they are also on lighter rims...so less rotational mass.

Both of them are 14s...have thought about 15s for my race tires...just so that i could have more tire options....but w/ falken, dunlop, yoko, and nitto making great tires for 14" rims....i'll stick w/ the 14" for the performance aspect of it all.

so.....your saying that there's a loss of torque with smaller rims and tires?

[95civicgsr]

you also have to look at tire width a smaller diameter tire wiill usually have a smaller contact patch since it isnt asa wide so less traction

[Bulldog Stang]

so.....your saying that there's a loss of torque with smaller rims and tires?

YES

well, damn...i don't hardly have any torque in the first place.