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Old 01-04-2020, 10:06 PM   #2 (permalink)
Ecky
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ND Miata - '15 Mazda MX-5 Special Package
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Most cars built for extreme fuel economy use tall, narrow wheels. A larger diameter wheel should have less angular deflection (?) than one with a smaller diameter, so going up in diameter should in theory reduce rolling resistance.

A wider and a narrower tire with the same pressure should favor the wider tire, also in theory. The wider tire can carry more load, so at the same pressure it will deform less to the road. However, adding air to a narrower tire will net the same result, without adding all of the extra mass a wider tire has.

Narrower tires give a measurable improvement in aerodynamics.

Lighter tires eat less fuel in stop and go traffic and improve both handling and braking. Narrower tires have the huge benefit of being lighter.

Most important of all is rubber compound.

My vote, go narrow, add a little bit more air, pick a tire with a good LRR compound, like the Michelin Defender.
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