16" Wheels for Performance and Cost
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
16" Wheels for Performance and Cost
I've had my eye on the Kosei K4R wheels for a while, and primarily want to see what it's like to drive with lighter wheels. However, the 16" wheels are $160 cheaper for a set, and 2lbs lighter apiece. On top of that, tires tend to be cheaper for smaller diameter wheels.
How would the car handle differently with 16" wheels instead of 17"? What would be some reasons for keeping with the 17" wheel size?
I would think with taller sidewall, the car could absorb the bumps more easily, and cornering stiffness might be maintained by inflating slightly higher than normal.
What do you think?
How would the car handle differently with 16" wheels instead of 17"? What would be some reasons for keeping with the 17" wheel size?
I would think with taller sidewall, the car could absorb the bumps more easily, and cornering stiffness might be maintained by inflating slightly higher than normal.
What do you think?
#2
I've had my eye on the Kosei K4R wheels for a while, and primarily want to see what it's like to drive with lighter wheels. However, the 16" wheels are $160 cheaper for a set, and 2lbs lighter apiece. On top of that, tires tend to be cheaper for smaller diameter wheels.
How would the car handle differently with 16" wheels instead of 17"? What would be some reasons for keeping with the 17" wheel size?
I would think with taller sidewall, the car could absorb the bumps more easily, and cornering stiffness might be maintained by inflating slightly higher than normal.
What do you think?
How would the car handle differently with 16" wheels instead of 17"? What would be some reasons for keeping with the 17" wheel size?
I would think with taller sidewall, the car could absorb the bumps more easily, and cornering stiffness might be maintained by inflating slightly higher than normal.
What do you think?
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justnspace (12-18-2013)
#3
Old Man Yelling at Clouds
Before my TSX, I owned a Civic where I upgraded to a lighter wheel/tire setup (about 2.5 lb reduction per wheel) and I didn't notice a single difference - not in performance, handling or gas mileage. My Civic wasn't exactly high-performance (it was a stock EX), but then again the TSX isn't going to be winning any drag-races either. So I agree with Simba that it's questionable that you'd notice much difference due to weight reduction.
As for the size - and this is purely subjective because I've never gone with a smaller wheel - I'd be nervous about a larger sidewall if handling was on my list of things I wanted to maintain. Increasing the pressure won't offset the size increase if you are taking hard corners. The forces acting on your sidewall are much greater than a few psi can offset.
As for the size - and this is purely subjective because I've never gone with a smaller wheel - I'd be nervous about a larger sidewall if handling was on my list of things I wanted to maintain. Increasing the pressure won't offset the size increase if you are taking hard corners. The forces acting on your sidewall are much greater than a few psi can offset.
#4
Racer
Like Simba did with his previous car, I change from the 17" OEM wheels over to 16" X 7" wheels for winter on my 06. (It helps to have a smaller footprint with traction.) But one other issue not being discussed here is the net effect of the smaller tire/wheel size upon gauge measured speed and gas mileage.
The car does not "know" that you are no longer using the OEM set up when calculating speed and gas mileage.
The outer diameter is close with thicker sidewalls on the 16" set up, but there is a difference. My apparent gas mileage and speed is not the same with the 16" wheels...so keep that in mind when using your dash gauges to measure any differences in times, etc.
The car does not "know" that you are no longer using the OEM set up when calculating speed and gas mileage.
The outer diameter is close with thicker sidewalls on the 16" set up, but there is a difference. My apparent gas mileage and speed is not the same with the 16" wheels...so keep that in mind when using your dash gauges to measure any differences in times, etc.
#5
Like Simba did with his previous car, I change from the 17" OEM wheels over to 16" X 7" wheels for winter on my 06. (It helps to have a smaller footprint with traction.) But one other issue not being discussed here is the net effect of the smaller tire/wheel size upon gauge measured speed and gas mileage.
The car does not "know" that you are no longer using the OEM set up when calculating speed and gas mileage.
The outer diameter is close with thicker sidewalls on the 16" set up, but there is a difference. My apparent gas mileage and speed is not the same with the 16" wheels...so keep that in mind when using your dash gauges to measure any differences in times, etc.
The car does not "know" that you are no longer using the OEM set up when calculating speed and gas mileage.
The outer diameter is close with thicker sidewalls on the 16" set up, but there is a difference. My apparent gas mileage and speed is not the same with the 16" wheels...so keep that in mind when using your dash gauges to measure any differences in times, etc.
#6
Racer
Simba: Yes, of course, you're right; using 205/60X16 tires delivers numbers that are close. (.9%) That's the size I have for winter use, too.
But...I have seen many TSX owners, (in this 'Tires forum', and others), using other sizes -- either by choice, (buying used Civic or Accord wheels on Craiglist), or by being given a different size by a tire store based upon what was "in stock"...say, 215/50X16 for example, thinking the sizes sound close to the 215/50X17 OEM.
Here's a chart that shows the sizes and their effect on revolutions per mile. (All using new tires).
http://www.tsxclub.com/forums/1st-ge...ter-guide.html
But...I have seen many TSX owners, (in this 'Tires forum', and others), using other sizes -- either by choice, (buying used Civic or Accord wheels on Craiglist), or by being given a different size by a tire store based upon what was "in stock"...say, 215/50X16 for example, thinking the sizes sound close to the 215/50X17 OEM.
Here's a chart that shows the sizes and their effect on revolutions per mile. (All using new tires).
http://www.tsxclub.com/forums/1st-ge...ter-guide.html
Last edited by Boulder TSX; 01-01-2014 at 04:51 PM.
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#8
Cruisin'
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Illnoise...WAY downtown, jerky.
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Lighter wheels or not, there is no way that a 16" wheel will improve the performance of a TSX over a 17" wheel.
17" tire sizing advantageous as far as sidewall heights compared to widths.
17" tire sizing advantageous as far as sidewall heights compared to widths.
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