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I switched out my 17s OEM all-season run flats for my summer 19s OEM Pzero performance run flats. Now, I noted a drop in MPG for the last three tanks. I had been getting just above 25 and now I am around 24 mpg (yes it is low and I live in a mountainous area--all hills and curves). I have not changed anything else--same gas, same routes, etc. With less rubber on the 19s the ride is obviously rougher but I read that the larger wheel can lower mpg because of the increased weight. I should add that my mpg increased last fall when I put on the 17s for winter. Have others experience the same with mpg?
I experienced the same type thing. I went from 15 inch to 17 inch wheels and notice a 3 mpg drop and decreased performance due to the extra weight. I finally settled on light 16 inch wheels .
Wheels and tires and weight make. Huge difference, my buddy changed his 14s to heavy sticky tire 17s and lost a lot of initial power. The car almost stall off the start because of the increased weight and diameter.
You will get more drag from a wider tyre because of the increase in surface area presented to the air flow. Maybe a touch more friction also from the larger contact area to the road surface. It will be small amount, but there all the same.
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Originally Posted by detours
Now that I put away my winter tires (205/55-R17) for a set of Michelin Pilots (225/50-R17), my mileage has dropped a couple of miles to 25.5 mpg.
Now that I put away my winter tires (205/55-R17) for a set of Michelin Pilots (225/50-R17), my mileage has dropped a couple of miles to 25.5 mpg.
I'm using the same stock wheels for both.
Update. I took off my roof bars and my mileage went up to 26.3 mpg average. That's about 1.2 mpg loss so far from switching from 205/55-R17 (stock runflats last summer) to 225/50-R17 (Michelin Pilots).