newb ?: lightweight rims = better gas mileage?
09-18-2006, 02:58 PM
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newb ?: lightweight rims = better gas mileage?
really newb question ... but I'm having this argument with somebody ... and I'm not so sure anymore ...
say if you had a really lightweight 15" rim ... ~9 pounds ... vs. a really heavy 15" rim ... say ~18 pounds ... everything else constant ...
the 9 pound rim would get better gas mileage, correct? ... the person I am arguing with claims that the heavier rim keeps its rotating inertia easier than the lightweight, so therefore, it would save gas ... but the lightweight takes less power to spin, correct?...
I already know that the lightweight would be better for handling, braking and acceleration ... but gas mileage too, right?
say if you had a really lightweight 15" rim ... ~9 pounds ... vs. a really heavy 15" rim ... say ~18 pounds ... everything else constant ...
the 9 pound rim would get better gas mileage, correct? ... the person I am arguing with claims that the heavier rim keeps its rotating inertia easier than the lightweight, so therefore, it would save gas ... but the lightweight takes less power to spin, correct?...
I already know that the lightweight would be better for handling, braking and acceleration ... but gas mileage too, right?
09-19-2006, 03:04 AM
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Re: newb ?: lightweight rims = better gas mileage? (aznboysrfr)
In reality you won't have a difference.
But for this academic argument: The light weight rim would give you theoretically better mileage. This is because it would take less energy to accelerate to the desired speed. All that energy eventually goes to waste when you brake to a stop in the form of heat. Of course this is assume that the wheels have similar wieght distribution.
But like I said earlier, in reality you won't see any difference, many more important factors contribute to fuel consumption.
But for this academic argument: The light weight rim would give you theoretically better mileage. This is because it would take less energy to accelerate to the desired speed. All that energy eventually goes to waste when you brake to a stop in the form of heat. Of course this is assume that the wheels have similar wieght distribution.
But like I said earlier, in reality you won't see any difference, many more important factors contribute to fuel consumption.
09-19-2006, 06:30 AM
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Re: newb ?: lightweight rims = better gas mileage? (old man neri)
Will they give better gas mileage? Yes. Will the difference be significant enough to notice? No.
It's like asking if your car will get better gas mileage if you remove a 36-pound object from your car...
09-19-2006, 07:54 AM
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Re: newb ?: lightweight rims = better gas mileage? (nsxtasy)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Will they give better gas mileage? Yes. Will the difference be significant enough to notice? No.
It's like asking if your car will get better gas mileage if you remove a 36-pound object from your car...
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Very true, I gutted my car and I got better gas mileage all around. Only if it's a large weight difference would you notice. Try drafting people in traffic, that helps out a lot too
It's like asking if your car will get better gas mileage if you remove a 36-pound object from your car...
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Very true, I gutted my car and I got better gas mileage all around. Only if it's a large weight difference would you notice. Try drafting people in traffic, that helps out a lot too
09-19-2006, 03:31 PM
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Re: newb ?: lightweight rims = better gas mileage? (Earthworm Jim)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Earthworm Jim »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Try drafting people in traffic, that helps out a lot too </TD></TR></TABLE>
That usually involves following a vehicle too closely and thus unsafe, I would not recommend this. The rise in your insurance rates after you rear-end someone will greatly offset any fuel savings.
There are numerous threads on how to save gas; full of good ideas.
Cheers.
Try drafting people in traffic, that helps out a lot too
</TD></TR></TABLE>That usually involves following a vehicle too closely and thus unsafe, I would not recommend this. The rise in your insurance rates after you rear-end someone will greatly offset any fuel savings.
There are numerous threads on how to save gas; full of good ideas.
Cheers.
09-19-2006, 03:50 PM
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Re: newb ?: lightweight rims = better gas mileage? (old man neri)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by old man neri »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
That usually involves following a vehicle too closely and thus unsafe, I would not recommend this. The rise in your insurance rates after you rear-end someone will greatly offset any fuel savings.
There are numerous threads on how to save gas; full of good ideas.
Cheers.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Generally driving on California highways is unsafe as well
No excuse for drafting though 
That usually involves following a vehicle too closely and thus unsafe, I would not recommend this. The rise in your insurance rates after you rear-end someone will greatly offset any fuel savings.
There are numerous threads on how to save gas; full of good ideas.
Cheers.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Generally driving on California highways is unsafe as well
No excuse for drafting though
09-19-2006, 03:53 PM
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Re: newb ?: lightweight rims = better gas mileage? (Earthworm Jim)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Earthworm Jim »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Generally driving on California highways is unsafe as well No excuse for drafting though </TD></TR></TABLE>
Don't worry, I know the feeling driving in Toronto and Montreal. Gets even more 'interesting' when there is snow on the ground.
Cheers.
Generally driving on California highways is unsafe as well
No excuse for drafting though </TD></TR></TABLE>Don't worry, I know the feeling driving in Toronto and Montreal. Gets even more 'interesting' when there is snow on the ground.
Cheers.
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