2011 Ford Focus SE 5 Speed - What can I do?

[Miller88]

What about going with REALLY skinny tires. I've found the stock size on the "old" beatle is 155 80r15 ... which is the same height as the 195 60r15 I currently have. Would that be worth looking into?

[COcyclist]

Originally Posted by Miller88

What about going with REALLY skinny tires. I've found the stock size on the "old" beatle is 155 80r15 ... which is the same height as the 195 60r15 I currently have. Would that be worth looking into?

It could help your mpg but at what cost? To get the skinny tires to fit properly you will probably need to invest in narrower rims, if you can find them. It may not be a cost effective mod if it takes decades to recoup your investment.

[LeanBurn]

Going skinnier would reduce the handling capabilities as well as make it harder to source tires.

What about going lighter rims? Keep properly designed rubber.. Some 10-14lb-ers would offer a couple of mpgs in the city and maybe on the highway too.

[Sven7]

Originally Posted by COcyclist

It could help your mpg but at what cost? To get the skinny tires to fit properly you will probably need to invest in narrower rims, if you can find them. It may not be a cost effective mod if it takes decades to recoup your investment.

You could keep the same wheels. It would only be 20mm of stretch on each side, and with tall sidewalls. People do this all day long with lowered cars and have no problem.

Look up MetroMPG's tire test. He found that even super skinny space saver spares had worse RR than stock Honda Insight LRR tires.

[Arragonis]

Can I ask some silly questions - I have read the original posting again so forgive me if I misunderstand.

What engine is in the car ? 2.0 or 2.3 ?

What gearbox - you say 5 speed, we think manual ?