What effect on Maverick HYBRID MPG's does wheel weight increase have?

[Finnster]

I'm considering going to heavy, great looking alloys as summer wheels, Same tires! Total difference in individual wheel weights is 10.25 pounds more for each alloy wheel. New Alloys: 36.10 lbs. vs aftermarket Steelies: 25.85 lbs. each.
My question is, does anyone here have actual experience with changing to different weight but identical spec. wheels, Dia. and Width (offset I will say is not an issue for this discussion)? Recorded MPG changes to be certain of the results would be a plus!
I know I'm diving into a hay stack to find a needle, but I hope it is worth the effort!
Please allow those with experience here to have first crack at this thread, I'm seeking fact not conjecture. I've already been to the internet for that.
Thanks Guys,

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[hdave]

I think you'll notice a 2-5 mpg decrease.

I noticed about the same decrease in mpg with going to 30" tires and my wheels are about 5lbs heavier because of the larger tires.

My best MPG was 49 on stock wheels/tires a month after I got the car, and 47 with my stock wheels and bigger tires on my last fill-up.

I have learned to drive my hybrid more efficiently now as well, so I'm very confident I can get 51-52 on stock wheels.

 

[tom_tucker]

Check AI for "unsprung weight". Says heavier will be a shitty ride. The question here is can the suspension handle it, not the MPG. Stands to reason you will be stressing the suspension components with this additional weight.

 

[Master Blaster]

That's a totally impossible number to come up with. It depends upon your particular drives - how much you speed up or slow down throughout the routes, how much you are loading the tires, how many corners you take, how much you weigh, etc. All that you can say for sure is that your mileage will go down by some unknown amount.

 

[Finnster]

Yeah, it's complicated. That's why I need to find someone who is a huge Techie, and who has done some testing!
If I do buy these heavy alloys, I will do the testing myself. I'd just like to have an idea of what to expect, going in.
Definitely a tall order, but I've got faith, lol.

 

[Finnster]

I think you'll notice a 2-5 mpg decrease.

I noticed about the same decrease in mpg with going to 30" tires and my wheels are about 5lbs heavier because of the larger tires.

My best MPG was 49 on stock wheels/tires a month after I got the car, and 47 with my stock wheels and bigger tires on my last fill-up.

I have learned to drive my hybrid more efficiently now as well, so I'm very confident I can get 51-52 on stock wheels.

Thanks! I think the increase in diameter may be more important than the weight of the wheel, but that's just a guess on my part. I have no prior experience with this.

 

[Finnster]

Check AI for "unsprung weight". Says heavier will be a shitty ride. The question here is can the suspension handle it, not the MPG. Stands to reason you will be stressing the suspension components with this additional weight.

Oh Crap, I hadn't thought of that at all! Thanks!
That experiment would have likely turned out poorly.
+10 lbs per wheel is a deal breaker as well as a suspension breaker on an ultra-light truck. (Mic Drop)
But I definately got what I needed, a little Value Engineering!
Thanks all,

 

[Finnster]

PS,
For anyone who wants great looking (Bronz or Black) heavy Alloys which are +10lbs over Steelies, These wheels are good looking and on clearance!
MSW Type 99 Wheels at TR.
https://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Whe...ybrid+FWD&autoYear=2025&autoModClar=225/65-17

 

[colinl]

what you need to look out for on light wheels is load rating. there are some very light wheels available in 5x108 bolt pattern that were engineered for vehicles much lighter than a Maverick, and without a 1500 pound payload capacity.

Tirerack doesn't list load capacity on the wheels you linked, but Googling it appears to be 2094 pounds, which is more than the stock wheels. so, go for it and go team bronze.

 

[Tim d]

I'm considering going to heavy, great looking alloys as summer wheels, Same tires! Total difference in individual wheel weights is 10.25 pounds more for each alloy wheel. New Alloys: 36.10 lbs. vs aftermarket Steelies: 25.85 lbs. each.
My question is, does anyone here have actual experience with changing to different weight but identical spec. wheels, Dia. and Width (offset I will say is not an issue for this discussion)? Recorded MPG changes to be certain of the results would be a plus!
I know I'm diving into a hay stack to find a needle, but I hope it is worth the effort!
Please allow those with experience here to have first crack at this thread, I'm seeking fact not conjecture. I've already been to the internet for that.
Thanks Guys,

40 lbs won't even be noticeable.

 

[olderthanyourdirt]

Oh Crap, I hadn't thought of that at all! Thanks!
That experiment would have likely turned out poorly.
+10 lbs per wheel is a deal breaker as well as a suspension breaker on an ultra-light truck. (Mic Drop)
But I definately got what I needed, a little Value Engineering!
Thanks all,

Don't forget increased stopping distance due to higher reciprocating mass.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

Ford spends millions of dollars engineering vehicles, and wheels and tires, but sure- go ahead and throw that all down the drain.

Heavier tires will for sure negatively affect mpg, braking distance, handling. How much, I have no idea.

 

[Tim d]

Ford spends millions of dollars engineering vehicles, and wheels and tires, but sure- go ahead and throw that all down the drain.

Heavier tires will for sure negatively affect mpg, braking distance, handling. How much, I have no idea.

He said in his post same tires, different rims that weigh 10 lbs more. I don't think he will notice a change in mpg since it's so small.

 

[Escapologist]

Just the extra 40lb weight in the bed, is like worrying if a special on watermelons is gonna cost you a fortune in gas if you pick up half a dozen at the store. It is negligible.

However, there's a rule of thumb that says rotational weight is horsepower robbing, to the effect of about 5 or 6 times non-rotating weight, so that additional energy is going to be used, and it's gonna be out of the gas tank. So possible 0.5 to 1 mpg drop, which you maybe won't see in the "noise" over less than three months when you're doing enough miles to notice, like 5k or so.

There is another thing I think might apply, given the same width of tire on new and old, heavier wheel could be less apt to ride over a bump quickly, thus the bump presents horizontal resistance to forward movement, so in effect average rolling resistance will be a up a bit. That could be another fractional mpg.

Personally, having experienced a ride comfort improvement and noticeable handling tweak from going to 5lb lighter wheels on a vehicle (Smoother ride, less "skitter" on corners on imperfect surfaces.) I would be unlikely myself to deliberately choose a heavier wheel.

 

[Mavericksport]

Ford spends millions of dollars engineering vehicles, and wheels and tires, but sure- go ahead and throw that all down the drain.

Heavier tires will for sure negatively affect mpg, braking distance, handling. How much, I have no idea.

I went from 18" stock Lariat wheels, to 21" slightly bigger overall tire diameter. Probably 15 to 20 pounds heavier each wheel. I didn't notice any difference with braking or mpg. I guess a 150lb person versus a 250lb might notice decrease in mpg too? It's all based on your driving . This is my opinion.

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