Is wheel weight all that important?

[Cobb]

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[user removed]

Each wheel-tire combo is a flywheel. The greater the mass farthest away from the axis of rotation, the greater the energy to spin each wheel itself up to speed. Also the lower the weight of the parts controlled by the suspension, the less work for the suspension to absorb impacts. Wider tires put that wider tread area as far away from the rotational axis as possible, more power to get it going then more inertia when you slow down.

regards
Mech

[arcosine]

I put 205/70R15 tires on my Saturn, stock was 175/70R14 or 185/65R15. 11% larger diameter. Biggest thing is the brake pedal force, with 600 lbs loaded in the car there is not enough braking to stop when someone cuts in front and stops. For tire weight, yes it makes a difference on bumps. A lot more drag when driving trough water on the pavement too. I added wheel spacers to reduce the scrub radius, with out them the car didn't track as straight. The big tires have a lot more grip on hard cornering and I added a rear anti-sway bar. I didn't notice and increase in coasting distance from the 165/80R15 tires. The big tires are terrible in the snow and slush on the highway. Ice packs in around the wheel well, breaks off and rubs on the tire, not enough clearance.

[mcrews]

to add to Mech, the spinning weight is 3-4 times more than static weight. SO 5lb at each wheel is 15-20lb.
Unless you are spending a lot more money, I would look to reduce weight.

[user removed]

The weight of the wheel is not nearly important as the width of the tread. I doubt if going wider is going to help mileage. Thinking about picking up 155/80/13s for the Sentra.
Kumhos for $204 total shipped to my door and I can mount and balance them myself. 13 pounds a tire.

regards
Mech

[arcosine]

The weight inertia is not as important as some claim, the bigger tires turn slower, and the engine turns slower. Besides you have a hybrid, the inertia energy is recovered.

[CargoBoatTails]

Originally Posted by arcosine

I put 205/70R15 tires on my Saturn, stock was 175/70R14 or 185/65R15. 11% larger diameter. Biggest thing is the brake pedal force, with 600 lbs loaded in the car there is not enough braking to stop when someone cuts in front and stops. For tire weight, yes it makes a difference on bumps. A lot more drag when driving trough water on the pavement too. I added wheel spacers to reduce the scrub radius, with out them the car didn't track as straight. The big tires have a lot more grip on hard cornering and I added a rear anti-sway bar. I didn't notice and increase in coasting distance from the 165/80R15 tires. The big tires are terrible in the snow and slush on the highway. Ice packs in around the wheel well, breaks off and rubs on the tire, not enough clearance.

This is exactly the point I was trying to get across in my posts.

[CargoBoatTails]

Originally Posted by Cobb

About time for new tires for the gen 2 insight. I got 175 65 r 15 thinking of going to an 21 lb lrr 195 65 r15 and to a light weight wheel I see wheels as light as 9.5 lbs on tirerack. The oem wheel and tire weighs 34 lbs. 16 lbs tire, 18 lb wheel. My current tire is 18 lbs non lrr and Im sure I lost a good 4-5 mpg.

So at the least if I want to stay to spec I should look at a 13 lb rim or should I spring for the extra and go for a 9 lb wheel? Yes, I want a beefier tire and Im pretty set on the specs and brand, yoko avid assend.

I dont do much city driving, but I drive in traffic and frequently go from 30 to 70 and back as traffic speeds and slows.

I got the same style tire on another vehicle and love it.

The interesting thing about the Enkei wheels is that they are 7 inches wide and you only need 5, which means you could probably find an even lighter wheel like the Enkei Compe or these are 6.5 lbs(not necessarily new):

Volk Racing CE28N 8-spoke Wheel - 4x100, 15x5.5JJ

I would go with either of these tires:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....V&autoModClar=

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....autoModClar=EX


Or you could go for something extremely unique and a $75 ContiEcoContact EP on a 15x4" wheel:

http://www.jegs.com/i/Weld-Racing/92...rentProductId=

[whatmaycome14]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

The weight of the wheel is not nearly important as the width of the tread. I doubt if going wider is going to help mileage. Thinking about picking up 155/80/13s for the Sentra.
Kumhos for $204 total shipped to my door and I can mount and balance them myself. 13 pounds a tire.

regards
Mech

Where are you finding 155's?! The skinniest tire I could find was 175...

I would LOVE to have skinnier tires.

[user removed]

Originally Posted by whatmaycome14

Where are you finding 155's?! The skinniest tire I could find was 175...

I would LOVE to have skinnier tires.

Kumho Solus KR21 - Free Delivery Available | TireBuyer.comhttp://tirecrazy.com/tires/kumho/sol...FVFefgodcpwACQ

here ya go friend.

regards
Mech