Ask the Car People.SM


Will Narrower Tires With Taller Sidewalls Return, To Improve Fuel Economy? - READ ONLY

62 messages,  Last post on Jun 27, 2011 at 9:33 PM

You are in the Automotive News & Views-Archives Forum.

What is this discussion about? Tires

Messages Page 6 of 7

#43 of 62 Re: Narrower tires--probably not. [raychuang00] by explorerx4

Jun 16, 2008 (4:42 pm)

Replying to: raychuang00 (Jun 15, 2008 5:40 am)
which do you think has more tire patch? a 255 winter tire, or a 215 slick tire?

#44 of 62 Re: Narrower tires--probably not. [explorerx4] by steve_ HOST

Jun 16, 2008 (5:06 pm)

Replying to: explorerx4 (Jun 16, 2008 4:42 pm)
Do you want to dig down to the pavement and skid or float on top of the snow and skid?

#45 of 62 Press Request by KarenS HOST

Jun 23, 2008 (12:37 pm)

A reporter from a large national newspaper is looking to speak to consumers who is delaying purchasing new tires or purchased cheaper tires because of the economy. If you’re interested in speaking to the reporter, please contact Chintan Talati at ctalatiedmunds.com with your daytime contact information no later than June 25, 2008.

#46 of 62 Tire expert needed please - taller tires for more MPG Stock=185/60 14's by wwwone

Mar 04, 2011 (7:53 am)

Hi, I need expert advice please if you can. My car is a 5 speed stick. It seems to be geared a bit low - as I knew before I bought it - and as a result it's in top gear in no time. It could benefit from a 6th gear to drop the RPM and increase the MPG but it doesn't therefore I am trying to lower my final gear ratio via taller tires. I'm thinking I'd like to find a tire that fits my factory rims and fits reasonably well in my wheel wells. The current tires are Kuhmo 722's and they are ready for replacement. The spec on Kuhmos sized tires indicate they turn approximately 915 Revs Per Mile. I believe the factory rims are 14 x 5.5". Taller tires such as 65, 70, 75, 80, etc reduce the Revs Per Mile proportionally. I'd like to determine what is the TALLEST tire I can go with that will fit reasonably well without to much rubbing. I realize it will throw my speedo off but I am willing to accept that (I can use a GPS to determine the appropriate delta). The car has 21k on it and is generally used for light load commuting. The car is a 2009 Chevy Aveo LS 4 door sedan that we bought new really cheaply and things are very tight and we couldn't pass it up. For us it works. In warm weather I get mid to high 30's (34-38). In cold weather I get low to mid 30's (32-36). It has only one driver and I drive it sensibly. Thanks in advance for your advice!

#47 of 62 Re: Tire expert needed please - taller tires for more MPG Stock=185/60 14's [wwwone] by steve_ HOST

Mar 04, 2011 (7:58 am)

Replying to: wwwone (Mar 04, 2011 7:53 am)
Try the Tires, tires, tires discussion too.

#48 of 62 Re: Tire expert needed please - taller tires for more MPG Stock=185/60 14's [wwwone] by hpmctorque

Mar 04, 2011 (8:05 am)

Replying to: wwwone (Mar 04, 2011 7:53 am)
I wouldn't go up to more than 165s, from the stock 160s, and then only if your current wheels accommodated that. The improvement in MPG and reduction in RPMs would be minimal, but in the direction you want. I'd accept a compromise, rather than a more radical departure from what the engineers who designed your car specified.

#49 of 62 Re: Tire expert needed please - taller tires for more MPG Stock=185/60 14's [wwwone] by explorerx4

Mar 04, 2011 (7:00 pm)

Replying to: wwwone (Mar 04, 2011 7:53 am)
There are low rolling resistance which may provide the the same or similar benefit as changing to a narrower or taller tire.

#50 of 62 Re: back in the day [andre1969] by samm43

Mar 10, 2011 (12:05 pm)

Replying to: andre1969 (Jun 12, 2008 12:06 pm)
I wouldn't be surprised if VW carried over the taller 15" wheels from the days of war and poor roads. The bigger wheels did not get stuck as easily and they ride better.
 
I do not like the direction the market has taken us with lower and lower profiles on taller wheels. So often we buy cars from manufacturers that insult our intelligence on a regular basis. They see a young man wearing his baseball cap sideways or backwards that has blinged out his Civic with tall wheels and lowered suspension, and the next thing you know they assume that's what the whole nation wants. The same could be said for the number of transmission gears race that is taking place lately. There is no need for 7 and 8 speeds and in many applications, even 6.
 
As for the big wheels, hopefully it will be sooner than later that that fad wears off. The advantages of lower fuel consumption, more acceleration, longer tire life, less cost, easier balancing and better ride are all right there for waiting. Are you listening, Manufacturers?
 
Sam

#51 of 62 Re: back in the day [samm43] by lemko

Mar 10, 2011 (1:15 pm)

Replying to: samm43 (Mar 10, 2011 12:05 pm)
W-w-what? You mean this ISN'T this average car buyer?
 

 
I recall seeing an ad for the 1940 Plymouth offering 20" wheels marketed to rural customers to compensate for poor road conditions.

#52 of 62 Re: back in the day [samm43] by berri

Mar 10, 2011 (7:13 pm)

Replying to: samm43 (Mar 10, 2011 12:05 pm)
I'll gladly bid them a fond adieu also!

Messages Page 6 of 7

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement