It is time to replace my summer tires and after reading various and sundry posts about wheel and tire size, I am leaning toward putting 16 inch wheels in the hope that I might gain a bit more milage out of my battery in my 2015 leaf. It still has 12 bars at 49000 miles and 20.5 kW available/90.28 SOH.
I have some questions about wheel rims that I would like your input..
Width: the 16” Leaf wheel has 6.5” wide rims, I believe, is it alright to go wider as long as the tire will fit it?
Do rims have load ratings? If so what load rating do I need for my 2015 Leaf SL? (The Enkei RPF1 is the only one to list a Load rating of 690 https://www.vividracing.com/enkei-rpf1-wheel-racing-series-silver-16x7-5x1143-43mm-p-150931607.html?cat=6424)
Offset: 40 mm. Can the offset be higher? If so, by how much?
The rims I am looking at come with centering rings. Can anyone explain what they do? I though the lug nuts would center the wheel.
All of the rims offered covers for the center. Is this necessary?
On the tire rack site, all the rims recommend 205/55-16. Would there be any problem going to a 205/60-16?
I am considering two rims that weigh in at 18 lbs: Focal F20 and the Motegi Racing MR143 cs6. The Enkei Racing RPF1 caught my eye at 14 pounds, but at a price.
On to the tires:
To keep the speedometer and odometer close to the values using 17” tires, I am thinking of using 205/60-16 ECOPIA EP422 PLUS tires (51 psi max) which will make the tire 1/4” taller and will make the actual car travel at at 65.5mph when reading 65 on the speedometer. Plus this tire weighs in at 19 lbs., 3 pounds less than the 17”. Add to that the savings of a smaller rim - someone said the 17” were around 25 lbs. - comes out to around 10 lbs., maybe even 14 lbs. less per wheel.
As to how many more mile can range depends on who you listen to: One video implies it will add up to 10+% while others have said there is a noticeable difference to those who doubt it will save much at all.
But for me, I need new tires, want to get wheels so all I have to do each year is swap out, and maybe get them balanced before hand, so now might be a good time to try to smaller rims, unless one of you can talk me out of it.
Thanks for your help and input for selecting the correct wheel rim.
I have some questions about wheel rims that I would like your input..
Width: the 16” Leaf wheel has 6.5” wide rims, I believe, is it alright to go wider as long as the tire will fit it?
Do rims have load ratings? If so what load rating do I need for my 2015 Leaf SL? (The Enkei RPF1 is the only one to list a Load rating of 690 https://www.vividracing.com/enkei-rpf1-wheel-racing-series-silver-16x7-5x1143-43mm-p-150931607.html?cat=6424)
Offset: 40 mm. Can the offset be higher? If so, by how much?
The rims I am looking at come with centering rings. Can anyone explain what they do? I though the lug nuts would center the wheel.
All of the rims offered covers for the center. Is this necessary?
On the tire rack site, all the rims recommend 205/55-16. Would there be any problem going to a 205/60-16?
I am considering two rims that weigh in at 18 lbs: Focal F20 and the Motegi Racing MR143 cs6. The Enkei Racing RPF1 caught my eye at 14 pounds, but at a price.
On to the tires:
To keep the speedometer and odometer close to the values using 17” tires, I am thinking of using 205/60-16 ECOPIA EP422 PLUS tires (51 psi max) which will make the tire 1/4” taller and will make the actual car travel at at 65.5mph when reading 65 on the speedometer. Plus this tire weighs in at 19 lbs., 3 pounds less than the 17”. Add to that the savings of a smaller rim - someone said the 17” were around 25 lbs. - comes out to around 10 lbs., maybe even 14 lbs. less per wheel.
As to how many more mile can range depends on who you listen to: One video implies it will add up to 10+% while others have said there is a noticeable difference to those who doubt it will save much at all.
But for me, I need new tires, want to get wheels so all I have to do each year is swap out, and maybe get them balanced before hand, so now might be a good time to try to smaller rims, unless one of you can talk me out of it.
Thanks for your help and input for selecting the correct wheel rim.