Aftermarket Wheels & Tires vs. Fuel Economy & Ride

[pinchepunx]

I've been considering getting some 18" wheels, perhaps with Fuel Efficient tires (similar to the Michelin Energy Saver A/S or Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max (if they'll fit). I would keep the stock wheels with some snow tires.

My question is for those of you that have upgraded to aftermarket wheels and tires...

1. What wheel tire combination did you get?
2. Has it affected your fuel economy?
3. Did you have trouble with your tire pressure monitoring system?

Thanks!

- JM

[ukrkoz]

official TCH manual clearly states lower mileage for bigger size rims. your call. 1mpg down.

[MXZDrew]

If it's only a 1mpg reduction thats won't be bad IMO. I am in the middle of upgrading ours and have the same concerns. However, I think the true mpg loss will be more a variable of the new wheel/tire combos weight and width. I will be posting my results in the coming weeks once my package shows up and I get some time on them. There will be a loss, just how much is yet to be seen. 1-3 I can live with. Anymore and the 16's are getting put back on. Same can be said for too much a loss on ride quality! It's just not worth it as the fuel economy and ride quality are SO good as stock. Curious what all the guys running the Lexus GS430 wheels/tires would have to say...

[pinchepunx]

Originally Posted by MXZDrew

If it's only a 1mpg reduction thats won't be bad IMO. I am in the middle of upgrading ours and have the same concerns. However, I think the true mpg loss will be more a variable of the new wheel/tire combos weight and width. I will be posting my results in the coming weeks once my package shows up and I get some time on them. There will be a loss, just how much is yet to be seen. 1-3 I can live with. Anymore and the 16's are getting put back on. Same can be said for too much a loss on ride quality! It's just not worth it as the fuel economy and ride quality are SO good as stock. Curious what all the guys running the Lexus GS430 wheels/tires would have to say...

I think you are right, I would have assumed wheel weight and tire type would matter most. But my car knowledge is not as vast as many others on the forums. I would like to fill some of that space in the wheel wells. Another inch of wheel/tire would look nice. I would be looking for some light 18" wheels with decent size tires.

[MXZDrew]

I think 225/50/18 is what you want for that task

[ukrkoz]

at 3.60 a gallon here, 36 mpg, one mile costs 10 cent, 10 miles cost a buck, 100 miles costs 10 bucks, 1000 miles costs a hundred just in lost mpg. simple math.
personally, i can speak only for one car i have driven on oversized, for the car, low profile tires/rims. and it WAS NOT a good experience. it was all over the road and braking was funny either.
but, like they say back in my country, every one's a forger of his own happiness. if you think khool factor is worth $100 every thousand miles driven - amen. there was no need to buy TCH though. there are many more khool cars out there. Escalades match BIG rims quite well.

[MXZDrew]

Wow... not sure where that math came from...but from a fuel economy perspective. Driving 22,500 miles per year and going from 35mpg to 32mpg will cost an additional $244 annually with the cost of fuel at $4.00 per gallon.

We sold a Cayenne S which took premium fuel and gave us 16mpg on 20" wheels. I can handle a $250 hit to get a little bling in a very efficient car compared to what we were driving.... no question. 32mpg is still a very respectable number for an all around average.

[WhiteSands]

I bought a set of michelin energy saver a/s tires. I checked the tires out carefully online before buying a set. I did find that each tire is about 4 pound lighter than some others that are the same size. That saved me 12 total pounds which helps on any acceleration. They have a nice ride even at 40 psi cold and show little wear after 11,000 miles. I also got a boost in gas mileage.

[Marc in da Bay]

Originally Posted by MXZDrew

Wow... not sure where that math came from...but from a fuel economy perspective...I can handle a...hit to get a little bling in a very efficient car compared...

I hear ya. When I get back from Vegas this weekend, I'm hoping to be able to install the 19's I've had my eyes on for a few weeks now. If they're still not ready, just gonna get the 20's and call it a day.