I have a question for those who have or are thinking about new tires / wheels. My Dunlops are about done. I thought it would be cool to upgrade the wheels at the same time. I want to do it for looks and fuel efficiency (I want my cake and eat it too), so my criteria are low weight wheels, and keep the tire width to a minimum.

I've found most custom light-weight rims begin at 15" - most are larger. But larger requires more tire width. I'm pondering the following configuration - was interested if anyone else has considered a change (or done it!).

Wheels: OZ Superleggera 15" x 7" (10.7 lbs!)

• Just about the lightest 15" wheel (that's silver and would look good on the car) I could find. Next best was like 9.5 lbs, but I didn't like it (very expensive too). I have the light blue (or whatever Honda calls it) 03 HCH.

Tires: ContiTouringContact CH95 195/60/15 (18 lbs)

• Green Seal's low rolling resistance top 10 (2003)
• Reviews are decent - I need an all season (lots of rain around here)
• Modest cost (next choice was the Michelin Energy MXV4, but it's nearly twice as much).

Yeah, it's all expensive so I'm not thinking this will be a cost I recover. However, if I get a bump in the MPG, great.

Total weight should be around 29 lbs a wheel, which is less than the 31 currently on there (however, I really have to doubt the Dunlops are 16 lbs - I haven't seen a 185/70/14 that light yet).

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Also - I walked into a tire dealer and told him I had a Civic Hybrid and was looking for lightweight wheels. His response, "You gonna race it?".

*** Retired after 65,000 outstanding miles ***

Both of those seem like good choices to me, and this coming from the perspective of someone that's owned 3 different autocross cars. Continental is a brand most folks haven't heard of, but they are the OEM supplier for most BMW, Audi, and Porsche models. They should be very good tires.

www.wheelweights.net

You will find all the lightweight wheels.

I just got Polished Centerline storm's 17x7 @ 11.8lbs ea. (The lightest 17") and 205/45/17 tires that are 18lbs.

Also another thing I got is Magnsisum/Alumnium Lug Nuts. They are 25G vs 60G for the stock lug nuts, does not seem like much, BUT multiply that by 4 per wheel, it adds up to over an 1lb for the car.

It all adds up. Ill see If I get any more FE, but its more of a looks thing. As long as it does not go down from the mid 40's Im getting now im happy. (FL heat, AC on ALL the time, Short trips, im happy with the 44-48mpg im getting)

2005 HCH CVT
17" wheels, HID Lights. getting in the high 40's mpg.
2004 Mustang Mystic Cobra
650hp + Heavy foot = 10.4mpg
2003 Harley F-150
6000lb + Supercharger = 14.7mpg
2002 Trans Am WS6
1996 Lincoln Mark VIII
800hp + 4400lbs = bad FE

Does anyone think (or know) if a 205 is all that much worse on FE than a 195 vs. 185 width? I think a 16" or 17" rim would look better, and you can clearly get a config that's at or below the current weight. I'm just all hung up on the 205. If it didn't matter much, I'd look at other configs.

BigBill - were you particular about your tire selection (in terms of low rolling resistance) or did you go with weight as the deciding factor?

*** Retired after 65,000 outstanding miles ***

No pictures? It would be cool to see what they look like.

I went for weight. I think the weight differnce will make up for the differnce in rolling resistance, especially since I plan to run 45psi in the tires.

I got 05 HCH about 2 weeks ago, so I ordered my rims 1 week ago. I should have them this week, and as soon as I get them on the car I will snap a pic.

2005 HCH CVT
17" wheels, HID Lights. getting in the high 40's mpg.
2004 Mustang Mystic Cobra
650hp + Heavy foot = 10.4mpg
2003 Harley F-150
6000lb + Supercharger = 14.7mpg
2002 Trans Am WS6
1996 Lincoln Mark VIII
800hp + 4400lbs = bad FE

I'd go with the Contis over the Michelins, myself - especially if they're rated as a low rolling resistance tire.

The Energy MXV4 has been standard equipment on most Accords the last few years - and about the only two good things I could say about them are:
- they hold air fairly well
- they wear like iron if you rotate them regularly
Most enthusiasts who drive Accords swap out those tires first chance they get.

Like the guy said - the high-end German marques choose Contis for good reason. Tires make the single biggest difference in a cars' handling ability.