205/50/16 and acceleration, mpg penalty
205/50/16 and acceleration, mpg penalty
I have stock tires on 09 Base Fit,(Dunlop 31 a/s, size 175/65/15). If I replace with 16" x 7 wheels and 205/50/16 General uhp summer tires will they affect acceleration and mpg noticable. I cannot afford acceleration much worse than it already is, but as I'm getting 34 mpg would prefer lower mpg in exchange for better handling, which is truly awful, and I have yet to drive it on a wet road! I cannot find a better tire in the stock 15" size with a profile that would not change my gearing, so am looking to go one size up to 16" and lower profile.
Use this link to help calculate the tire size differences
Wheel-Tire size comparer - RIMS-N-TIRES
As for accell and MPG, weight will be a factor. As will rotational size (is this the correct term.)
Wheel-Tire size comparer - RIMS-N-TIRES
As for accell and MPG, weight will be a factor. As will rotational size (is this the correct term.)
Last edited by Fit4Trav; Apr 29, 2009 at 02:50 AM.
Assuming the wheels weigh the same your acceleration will be marginally slower since you have more tire touching the ground the engine has to work harder.
Although if you go to a wheel that is drastically lighter than the stock one then your acceleration, mpg, handling, and braking will all increase a good amount.
Although if you go to a wheel that is drastically lighter than the stock one then your acceleration, mpg, handling, and braking will all increase a good amount.
Maybe you should get 205/45 tires instead. Those will be closer to stock diameter.
Regarding the acceleration/fuel efficiency penalty, it also depends how much your new larger wheel + lower-profile tire combo weighs vs. stock. Mine went +6 lbs per corner, so no surprises there - I got marginally worse acceleration and fuel economy. Unfortunately not many places show you how heavy the tire is.
Regarding the acceleration/fuel efficiency penalty, it also depends how much your new larger wheel + lower-profile tire combo weighs vs. stock. Mine went +6 lbs per corner, so no surprises there - I got marginally worse acceleration and fuel economy. Unfortunately not many places show you how heavy the tire is.
Tire Rack huh? That's good...better than going in blind, so to speak 
Toyo is another manufacturer that carries tire weights on its website.
www.toyotires.com

Toyo is another manufacturer that carries tire weights on its website.
www.toyotires.com
Last edited by Type 100; Apr 30, 2009 at 06:05 AM.
I changed my stock tires from the Bridgestone 185/55/R16 to Goodyear Assurance FuelMax 205/50/R16 for increased mpg.
It did actually go up about 2 mpg.
I think these tires are heavier. I kept the stock wheels. I was considering lighter 16" wheels but can't afford it. That would have helped a little.
For these slightly heavier, bigger tires I don't notice an acceleration loss. If there is any, I can't tell. I don't drive spiritedly, just for mpg.
It did actually go up about 2 mpg.
I think these tires are heavier. I kept the stock wheels. I was considering lighter 16" wheels but can't afford it. That would have helped a little.
For these slightly heavier, bigger tires I don't notice an acceleration loss. If there is any, I can't tell. I don't drive spiritedly, just for mpg.
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,251
From: Winthrop Harbor Illinois/ Presque Isle Wisconsin
Was looking at these on TR the other night, I believe the Fuel Max 205/50 is like 19 lbs
(stock Dunlops are 18 I believe, so NOT an issue)
Also Michelin has Energy Saver tires out soon (been on sale in Europe for a year and a half)
more info here https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/eco-...l-economy.html
Last edited by Tork; Apr 30, 2009 at 10:27 AM.
I have stock tires on 09 Base Fit,(Dunlop 31 a/s, size 175/65/15). If I replace with 16" x 7 wheels and 205/50/16 General uhp summer tires will they affect acceleration and mpg noticable. I cannot afford acceleration much worse than it already is, but as I'm getting 34 mpg would prefer lower mpg in exchange for better handling, which is truly awful, and I have yet to drive it on a wet road! I cannot find a better tire in the stock 15" size with a profile that would not change my gearing, so am looking to go one size up to 16" and lower profile.
Acceleration and mpg will be a little worse due to the extra weight and bigger diameter of the tire. The further the weight is from the hub the harder (more torque) it takes to turn the wheels.
Suggest you consider 205/45x16 tires as the diameter is a little smaller (23.26 vs 23.92) so the lesser radius makes up for the extra weight. You will have a 1.7 mph error at 60, reads 61.7 mph at true 60, and a 28 mile higher odo reading per thousand miles. Not significant.
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