Hybrid fuel efficiency with bigger wheels

[Dechion]

So would 35 or 45 sidewalls on 20" rims require run flat tires in order to protect the 20" rims?

I don't really have any experience with big rims and skinny tires. I'm more into smaller rims and bigger tires.
Probably going with 225/65 R18 or 235/65 R18 if I change from stock. Not planning on any offroad stuff, so if I change its just for looks.

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[MakinDoForNow]

No. You can bend a rim no matter what tire is on it.

I know but run flats will stay on rim better helped by mounting sealant and sidewalls flatten out and provide cushion for edge of rim.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I don't really have any experience with big rims and skinny tires. I'm more into smaller rims and bigger tires.
Probably going with 225/65 R18 or 235/65 R18 if I change from stock. Not planning on any offroad stuff, so if I change its just for looks.

I am in your camp but I would prefer 70's over 65's. Have you seen if a 16" rim will fit on maverick?

 

[Dechion]

I am in your camp but I would prefer 70's over 65's. Have you seen if a 16" rim will fit on maverick?

Haven't looked. Figured I would have the best luck with 17 or 18 as I could use stock ones.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Haven't looked. Figured I would have the best luck with 17 or 18 as I could use stock ones.

Most definitely with stock. I haven't checked either. When I get my hybrid and verify how close the 28.5" radius factory tire distance traveled is to the distance actually traveled. Interested in knowing not that it functionally matters. I have a frontier that is just under 2.6 mph off with new full tread on tires.

 

[TSAINTS1115]

I am in your camp but I would prefer 70's over 65's. Have you seen if a 16" rim will fit on maverick?

I tried one of the rims that fit my daughter's Escape. Same bolt center but it hit the front caliper.

 

[Darksider]

I have run run-flats and they make for a ruff ride. They do have the stiffer sidewall which sends bumps more to the suspension then a normal tire.
A good size for 20" is 245/45r20 this will keep you on stock speedo. You might loose a mpg from the wider tires, more rolling resistance but it would be nice to get a good document of how much is actually lost.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I tried one of the rims that fit my daughter's Escape. Same bolt center but it hit the front caliper.

That was my guess. Thanks.

 

[OldSoulNewMaverick]

It will, but probably not too much. Hybrids tend to use low rolling resistance tires, and the narrower the tire, the less friction with the road. I looked at buying a BMW i3 electric (used) for my teens, but after looking at the reviews, someone mentioned how skinny the tires are and that winters can be HORRIBLE with the loss in traction. The tires are only 5" on the front and 5.5" in the rear!

 

[fbov]

Gotta have my cake and eat it too

Matching OEM tire diameter has been covered; I favor "rev/mile" when size-matching tires. Unloaded dimensions are not helpful, comparing diameters gets the wrong answer.

Matching OEM tire width is a very small point in fuel efficiency. A 1" wider tire on a car with an 8" ground clearance will add 8 sq. in. to the cross sectional area on each side of the car. 16 sq. in. is small compared with the total area (height x width ~ 4000-5000 sq. in.) and can be ignored.

Rolling Resistance will make or break fuel efficiency. Yet RR data is very hard to find. The limited data I've seen for AT/off road tires shows a huge hit, losing 10% for AT tires, up to 30% for extreme mud tread patterns. That limits you to highway tires, which also vary, albeit over a narrower range.

Ford is one of a small number of makers that do not specify unique LRR tires. The OEM Ecopia's on my Escape have been a pleasant surprise for both RR and winter grip. The +2 size of your OEM would be a good place to start. Do the research, find reviews and see what the experts say.

... The tires are only 5" on the front and 5.5" in the rear!

Ideal for snow!!!! But only with winter rubber and tread pattern. All "summer tires" suck in snow.

My first "winter car" had 165/80R15 snows, and it was beast! Narrower tires have a longer tread contact patch, increasing traction forward and reverse, at the expense of cornering. It's the same reason off-roaders "air down" for soft sand - a longer contact patch gives more traction.

 

[OldSoulNewMaverick]

Matching OEM tire diameter has been covered; I favor "rev/mile" when size-matching tires. Unloaded dimensions are not helpful, comparing diameters gets the wrong answer.

Matching OEM tire width is a very small point in fuel efficiency. A 1" wider tire on a car with an 8" ground clearance will add 8 sq. in. to the cross sectional area on each side of the car. 16 sq. in. is small compared with the total area (height x width ~ 4000-5000 sq. in.) and can be ignored.

Rolling Resistance will make or break fuel efficiency. Yet RR data is very hard to find. The limited data I've seen for AT/off road tires shows a huge hit, losing 10% for AT tires, up to 30% for extreme mud tread patterns. That limits you to highway tires, which also vary, albeit over a narrower range.

Ford is one of a small number of makers that do not specify unique LRR tires. The OEM Ecopia's on my Escape have been a pleasant surprise for both RR and winter grip. The +2 size of your OEM would be a good place to start. Do the research, find reviews and see what the experts say.


Ideal for snow!!!! But only with winter rubber and tread pattern. All "summer tires" suck in snow.

My first "winter car" had 165/80R15 snows, and it was beast! Narrower tires have a longer tread contact patch, increasing traction forward and reverse, at the expense of cornering. It's the same reason off-roaders "air down" for soft sand - a longer contact patch gives more traction.

longer tread pattern, yes. But when starting or stopping, especially on ice....no good!

 

[fbov]

longer tread pattern, yes. But when starting or stopping, especially on ice....no good!

Please explain. A longer contact patch is only "good" when starting or stopping.

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