Agreed.


I'm just saying you also get some of that added weight back during decelleration.

 

I'm interested to see if dropping 4-5 lbs off the wheels makes a noticeable difference in the regenerative braking. I'm expecting that it will, and regeneration will slow the car down more than it does now. I think the impact on recharging will be small. I get more recharge out of going downhill and coasting than actual braking.

 

If you'd like, I can take a photograph of my Acura GS-R wheel with Yokohama tire mounted on it sitting on a scale showing it's 30 pound weight. The wheel is around 15 pounds and tire also about 15 pounds. As the owner of a 1997 Civic HX, I actually had TWO sets of wheels. One for street tires, and one for Victoracer V700 race tires. I weighed the wheels on a UPS scale and they are in fact 11.75 pounds. They are 14x5.5" however, they are NOT 15". Most aftermarket wheels are also wider - typically 6 to 7 inches wide. It's easy to make an 11.75 pound 14x5.5" alloy. It's not so easy to make a 15x7 of that same weight, which is why 15x7's under 12 pounds all tend to cost a lot of money.

 

Thanks all.

Some great information! I love my hybrid. I'm perpetually tinkering with things trying to eek out something even better (if it is possible). I'm looking for ways to better FE, enhance ride (it's a little noisy and harsh), while maybe adding a little uniqueness (read looks!)

All the responses are greatly appreciated. It's cool stuff!

 

I hope you didn't take my comment as argumentative. I didn't mean "curious" as in whether you were telling the truth, I meant "curious" that a car maker would go the more expensive route to put a truly lightweight wheel on a car. However a 14x5.5 as you stated has a distinct advantage over a 15x7 simply because it requres less metal. Not surprised at all it weighs < 12 lbs. Actually, if I found an after-market lightweight 14" wheel that I also liked, I would have purchased that instead of the 15". Seems that most of what I was looking for was 15" or higher.

When I get my new wheels in a couple weeks I'm going to weigh the OEM wheel and find out once and for all.

 

Hi Paul; I hope when you get your Wheels and Tires that you will take some pics. of the new ones and now that I said that, how about posting some pics of (Before And After) wheel and tire swap so we all can see the difference. I for one would enjoy seeing the change if it's not to much of a hassle.

Looking forward to seeing the upgrade.

Regards

Terry

 

I will. Wheels will be here this week - should have them on the car by Saturday (11/5). VERY excited! You wouldn't believe the drama in finding a wheel that both met looks and weight requirements (not to mention a few of my choices were not even being manufactured). In the end I selected Kosei K-1 TS 15" (10.6 lbs) in the painted silver. Turns out Continental is not making another lot of the CV95 that I wanted until December. So my quest for a LRR tire may be for not. My current selection will be the Toyo Proxsis TPT (195/60). Seemed like a decent tire, 17.8 lbs.

I'm also going to put the OEM wheel on a scale and find out once and for all what it weighs...

 

Okey big guy, For a minute there you sounded like me when I first started looking into the 06 HCH Purchase.

Glad to see that you are excited about your (Tires & Wheels). I like to read more about members doing fun things with their vehicles, it makes for a more uplifting Day if you will.

Later;

Terry

 

All,

Another thought crosses my mind... I am not 100% satisfied with the ride and road noise (tire noise?) associated with my car. Granted it's awesome in terms of technology, MPG, and getting me places economically, but I find it hard to hear people on cell phone calls, and overall road noise seems a little bit excessive. Has anyone else experienced or addressed this?

Here in California, there are a lot of freeways that have grooves or different textures. At speed, I find there to be a lot of tire noise. With a previous car, I switched tires and found a HUGE difference in ride, noise, etc.

Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks -
Lansing

 

I've commented before I thought my 03 HCH was very noisy (tire/road noise). So yes, I'd definitely agree with you. The tires I mentioned above had numerous comments about being quiet. I'm hoping by Sunday this week I'll be able offer some kind of report.