Have you guys experience any lower mpg after a wheel and tire upgrade? I have a 2015 LX CVT. I recently upgraded from stock 15” to 15”x7” Enkei RPF1 with Kumho Solus also upped th width size from 185 to 195. On stock wheels and tires, I was getting avg 40MPG not I am averaging 35MPG. I tried higher PSI in the tire but that did not do much.

 

The issue is most likely with the tire itself, not so much the wheel. It depends on what the fuel economy rating is for the tire, my guess is its probably not as highly rated as the stock tires. I looked up the Kumho Solus and they are the entry level tire from kumho.

Additionally you didn't mention if you went with a lower profile tire, than the stock. So it could also be giving you off information because its not what the computer has programmed in as the stock diameter. And lastly the tire and wheel combo might actually be heavier than the previous set up, which would also account for worse fuel economy.

 

Stock tire is 185-60-15.

If you went with 195-55-15, the overall diameter of the tire is similar to stock (actually shorter by 1.2% according to a tire size calculator) and you would not see much change other than extra drag from the extra width.

If you went with a 195-60-15 then you have a taller tire (2% larger diameter), and should see a drop in calculated mileage.

Calculated, because at the same time, your odometer will be inaccurate by a similar amount (about 2%) therefore you are actually covering more distance than your odometer says, and the real gas mileage may be closer than your calculator says, to what it was before .

But a wider tire, even if it were the same height, induces more drag. All else being the same, you could expect a drop just for having more square inches of tread hitting the pavement.


If your car had the Bridgestone Ecopia tires, they are LRR (low rolling resistance) tires.
Solus isn't a fuel efficient LRR tire. It's a touring rated, soft tire. That alone may cause a drop in mileage even if it were the same size as stock.

So in all this, I see at least 2 new hits going against your gas mileage. Tire type and tire size. Maybe more, depending on your wheel choice.

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I drive a 12 Civic (my GF drives the Fit).

At 5000 miles I switched out my stock Firestone Fuel Fighter (Low Rolling Resistance) 195-65-15
for a set of 18x8" wheels from a '11-'12 Accord V6 Coupe with some 225-40-18 Michelin Pilot tires.

I immediately dropped 15-20% gas mileage.
But they LOOK COOL!


Now I want a set of 19x8 five spoke wheels off the new 16 Accord Sport to stick on my Civic....LOL

 

Besides the tire changes, it's also the time of year around when many areas are getting winter blend gas and have colder temperatures. I don't know how much of that is true in your area of Oregon. I regularly drop a few mpg in winter time with no changes to my car whatsoever.

 

I went with the 195-60-15, maybe that's why. I figure with lighter wheels it'll offset the width gain. The car do feel better in the handling department and more comfortable.

 

Lighter wheels vs. heavier tires, more rolling resistance from the size and the fresh tread, probably a larger outer diameter and probably cooler weather.

A mileage hit makes sense.

 

hello
i bought my 2016 lx with rpf1 15x7 + oem tire , what size of tires should i get when i gone change it ? is 195/55 is big difference hit in mpg ....

 

sticky/wider tires will do that.