Gas mileage decrease on wider tires?
 

Hey guys

I'm thinking about new wheels/tires for the FRS but concerned about which width to get. The stock tires have enough grip for me. I would like a tire that rides better, quieter, and maintains MPGs. Wider tires tend to grip more but I am mostly interested in new wheels/tires for looks and weight reduction. However it seems like a lot of the styles I want don't come in the stock rim width. I like the wheel to look flush.

Have any of you been able to maintain 30MPG on aftermarket wheels / tires?

The wheel looking flush is more a character of offset than tire width. I have the OEM wheels with 20f/25r mm spacers and mine fill the wheel well nicely.


Everything I've read says that wider tires will decrease your gas mileage. If you'd like to have a more flush look with similar width tires, look into a 17x8 or 18x8 with a 35mm offset and 225/45-17 or 225/40-18 tires. Michelin Pilot Super Sports come in both sizes. So do most other decent brands.

Everyone's definition of flush is different. My mpg has been changed more by more city driving(vs highway) than the change in tire width/weight. With the same commute and the wheel/tire change, it is roughly the same, less than 1mpg difference. Driving habits make the most difference imo.

Yes I have 17x9 Weds and average 30mpg on a manual BRZ that I use for commute if I don't take it for a weekend drive in the mountains.

I was able to pull of 30mpg with 18x9 and 245/40/18

Pretty consistantly, not just one time while going downhill lol.

And I got 30mpg CALCULATED mpg, not the estimate by car

Thanks guys that's very encouraging!

On my 911 I put 275's on the back and gas mileage dropped from 18-19 to 15-16. Of course with the new tires came different driving sessions ;-). I also had an Insight and gas mileage dropped from 65 to 50 MPG when going from stock LRR tires to some sticky rubber... But that car only had 65HP.