May be an easy question?

[RandomFact314]

So everyone talks about lightweight rims, some 11lbs, 13lbs from Honda... Does anyone know how much the rims weigh that are for hub caps (like the one in the picture)? Or where I can find the info? My tire size is P185/65R14 if that matters... Thanks :-)

[SVOboy]

They probably depend on who makes them and everything. I have some in the basement I could weight but they're 13"

[Christ]

Steel rims, IIRC, are about 16-20 lbs for the 14" variety. They're relatively heavy for how ugly they usually are.

This, of course, depends on manufacturer. Alloy wheels will always be lighter for the same dimensions, except for in certain few cases.

[Christ]

More information on steel wheels - AUTOSTEEL | Steel Wheels Task Force

[Concrete]

HypermilingNoob,

this really depends on what your goal and budget are

a pound of wheel is worth about 2 pounds of non-rolling car weight
so even if you save 5lbs a wheel - that is only 40 pounds total
you will never see the savings at the pump - it is too small
and it will never pay back the cost of new wheels

for racers with budgets - wheels are an easy way to save weight
at the drag strip you should notice a 40 pound reduction in your times

but if you just happen to be dropping $1000 in wheels anyway
or have a low/no cost source (salvage etc.)
make sure they are light



Christ,
nice link

[RandomFact314]

Originally Posted by Concrete

HypermilingNoob,

this really depends on what your goal and budget are

a pound of wheel is worth about 2 pounds of non-rolling car weight
so even if you save 5lbs a wheel - that is only 40 pounds total
you will never see the savings at the pump - it is too small
and it will never pay back the cost of new wheels

for racers with budgets - wheels are an easy way to save weight
at the drag strip you should notice a 40 pound reduction in your times

but if you just happen to be dropping $1000 in wheels anyway
or have a low/no cost source (salvage etc.)
make sure they are light


Christ,
nice link

I'm not thinking about buying new rims or anything I just wanted to know so I can compare my rims to other rims without the tires on.

[brucepick]

If you can find an "automotive recycling facility" (aka junkyard) you should be able to weigh a rim. There are self service yards in some areas where you can scrounge around to your heart's delight. Or you will have to make do with a "full service" yard where they bring you what you ask for.

In either case, go with sturdy work clothes, solid footwear and a scale. A jack and tire wrench (or breaker bar with sockets) in hand will show that you're ready to go.

Many yards pull wheels for future sale and stack them by brand/size, with tires removed.

Get one from your make and model, similar year, and weigh it.

[99LeCouch]

How about making some aero hubcaps?

[Concrete]

I was there - just want to know what you have

I tried what brucepick suggested
the guy at the junk yard thought I was casing his aluminum rims
like I was going to sneak back later and steal them
said he did not have any

he had no idea of why a guy would come to a salvage yard with a scale
I left

here is another alternative if the salvage trip does not work out
weigh your tire and rim
look up the spec weight of the tire and subtract that
guess weight lost to wear (if they are old) and add that back in

I bet you are within a pound of the rim weight
and my aluminum rims varied by almost that much

if you are not changing rims either way
- perhaps that is close enough for your curiosity

[Bicycle Bob]

The notion that wheel weight counts twice as much as chassis weight comes from rotational inertia - the tire tread has to move faster than the car, but the lug nuts, much less so. There is also some effect from unsprung weight, but I'd much rather have a heavier, higher-pressure setup than a lighter one, for overall effiiency. The losses from accelerating steel wheels are usually quite minor.