Steel vs aluminum wheels - weight, handing, mpg?

[j1truck]

Hi All
Is there a noticeable difference between steel and aluminum wheels in terms of weight, handing, mpg when pair with hybrid engine?

looking to get xl but heard somewhere that steel wheels are not good for mpg, handling, etc

thanks

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[JohnDLG]

In theory aluminum should weigh less. I've also heard that given weight increase at the wheels would cost more than the same weight as payload. I'm not sure how that works out in practice though.

 

[PapaDave]

I was looking at aftermarket wheels and noticed a few aluminum wheels, same size, were approximately 10 to 20% lighter than steel wheels.

 

[Gary in NJ]

A lighter wheel takes less power to rotate/accelerate. A higher unsprung weight makes the suspension work harder. Lighter is always better, unless strength is compromised.

Oh, and steel wheels scram “I’m cheap”.

 

[Ronaldo]

A lighter wheel takes less power to rotate/accelerate. A higher unsprung weight makes the suspension work harder. Lighter is always better, unless strength is compromised.

Oh, and steel wheels scram “I’m cheap”.

I agree Gary. Also The advantage to steel wheels is know by every police department in the US, aluminum cracks with a big impact and steel will bend and still hold air most times. I was going to go XL but for 2,285 you get great looking wheels and Interior, cruise, few other goodies, and resale.

 

[ColoradoShooter]

Lighter weight wheels have less rotational inertia and therefore mpg, acceleration and handling all increase. But, factory aluminum wheels need to be strong enough to handle curb impacts and pot holes, so there manufactured thicker than aluminum race wheels so they’re still “heavy”.

 

[MAVRICK]

A lighter wheel takes less power to rotate/accelerate. A higher unsprung weight makes the suspension work harder. Lighter is always better, unless strength is compromised.

Oh, and steel wheels scram “I’m cheap”.

Or conversely scream: "I'm common sensically, proudly value orientated" - Depends on one's own value system ...

 

[Snax]

Or conversely scream: "I'm common sensically, proudly value orientated" - Depends on one's own value system ...

Yep, I’m not one who needs to impress strangers by spending money. Many other things to do with it.

 

[black dog]

Come on. Opinions are like A**holes, everybody has one.

 

[graesack]

I ordered an XL. Most of the “factory” aluminum wheels don’t have much advantage. I’m happy with steel wheels.

 

[JsnMrd]

So does the hybrid mpg rating takes into consideration of the wheels? Is that why they're only advertising XLT mainly?

Value and mpg are the two main things I look at as my deciding factors in getting this truck so I gotta make sure I nail it!

 

[grumpyunk]

Personally I find the steel wheels attractive. I think they send the 'no-nonsense' message to anyone who looks at them. They seem purposeful, not here to mess around or look pretty, but to get the job done.
I only would go for the XLT to get cruise control, unavailable otherwise. Adding an aftermarket cruise to a drive-by-wire throttle seemed a bit questionable to me.
tom

 

[fbov]

Hi All
Is there a noticeable difference between steel and aluminum wheels in terms of weight, handing, mpg when pair with hybrid engine? ....

So does the hybrid mpg rating takes into consideration of the wheels? ...

The discussion of handling and vehicle dynamics is spot on, but a hybrid drivetrain changes a couple things regarding mileage.

Weight is demoted to a secondary effect by use of regenerative braking. It's not perfect, you only get 85-90% return, but that's enough to knock a 10% effect down to 1%, which can be ignored. I had snows on steel wheels for the C-Max. I saw no change in mileage when changing over in Spring and Fall.

Wheels matter because of the tires you put on them. Rolling resistance is important, and low profile is better, but it's far more important to mount a LRR tire regardless the rim choice. .

 

[j1truck]

I ordered an XL. Most of the “factory” aluminum wheels don’t have much advantage. I’m happy with steel wheels.

Would checking the car side sticker of xl and xlt be able to tell us of the weight difference?

 

[graesack]

Would checking the car side sticker of xl and xlt be able to tell us of the weight difference?

I don’t think so. Wheels are not the only difference.

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