wheels and fuel econ

[Execut1ve]

I've been reading a bit how oem steel wheels are quite a bit heavier than their aftermarket aluminum counterparts... anyone switched from steel to aluminum and noted any fuel econ gains? anyone have any numbers on how much weight can be shed by switching wheels? also... going to a smaller wheel but getting a larger tire so as to keep the same diameter overall... any gain there?

[California98Civic]

Check this out: Tall tire test (taller gearing advantage offset by wider, heavier wheels/tires?)

Yup. Civic steelies are about 20lbs. My alloy wheels (from Honda) about 16lbs. Rotating weight counts about double. So it's possibly like a 32lb difference.

[Execut1ve]

some excellent testing there. however it seems there aren't too many size options around my stock 185/65 R14 that don't also involve going wider which is poor for aero right?