205/55/15 Tires and Fuel Efficiency - Toyota Yaris Forums

landrym28 · 05-20-2011, 03:27 PM

Good day folks,

Did a search for this with no results (for my specific tire size, anyway). I'm currently running 205/50/16's on my Yaris, and was thinking of down sizing (so to speak) to 205/55/15's. I've noticed a bit of a decrease in fuel efficiency in running 16's, would the gas mileage increase with the drop down to 15's? Would a wider tire affect FE?

Thanks,
Matt

thebarber · 05-20-2011, 03:46 PM

wheel/tire weight is the largest factor

i run lightweight 15's w/ 205's and get way better mileage than with my 14" alloys and 185 winter tires...

landrym28 · 05-20-2011, 03:55 PM

Yeah, I knew weight plays a huge factor for sure. I'm in the process of moving, so money I had set aside to get the car lowered and a sway bar, etc. is being put to that for the time being. Running 205/55/15's has a similar height than 205/50/16's (from what I can remember), so other than tire size/height, there shouldn't be a drastic change in wheel gap.

I also wanted 205 because running 185's makes me look like I'm driving my car on popsicle sticks..just too skinny of a tire for me.

-Matt

thebarber · 05-22-2011, 01:05 PM

205's are nice. i run 205-50-15's (though i HAVE run 55's) but my oem tire is 175-65-14 which is a bit shorter than what they use now

the 55's eat up wheel gap, thats for sure.

i would spend the extra on light wheels....its worth the money, trust me.

why? · 05-22-2011, 02:44 PM

It is mostly about the weight of the wheel. Although another thing is if the tire/wheel height is different the mileage you are going will be different than what the car is telling you.

I agree with lightweight wheels, they just make everything so much better.

landrym28 · 05-23-2011, 07:58 AM

Thanks for the input! I might hold off for the time being, considering I just bought new tires for my 16's this past winter. I'm only getting about 100km/tank less than I was with my other 15s (It could be worse I guess). Right now, it might not be worth buying lightweight wheels & new tires. I would have to sit down and work out the costs. For the amount I would spend, it would probably take a few years worth of buying extra gas to offset that costs.

Considering the tires are new, I might just wait until they're worn down and need to be replaced, then switch to 15s then.

-Matt

marlondog · 05-23-2011, 02:22 PM

I currently have 195/55/15s, but will change the out for 205/55's once the tires wear out. I've had them before, and there was a slight decrease in mileage compaired to the 185/60's. They fill in the wheel gaps, and give your car a "don't f with me" stance. They will also give your wheels some extra cushion and sidewall. 15's with little tires look pretty silly on our cars, so 205/55's or 195/55's will do the job.

thebarber · 05-23-2011, 02:29 PM

bah, my car looks fine w/ 205-50-15's....and i don't rub

05-20-2011, 03:27 PM	#1
landrym28 3,300+ at one point.. >:( View User's Garage Drives: 2010 Hatchback RS Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Saint John, NB, Canada Posts: 542	205/55/15 Tires and Fuel Efficiency Good day folks, Did a search for this with no results (for my specific tire size, anyway). I'm currently running 205/50/16's on my Yaris, and was thinking of down sizing (so to speak) to 205/55/15's. I've noticed a bit of a decrease in fuel efficiency in running 16's, would the gas mileage increase with the drop down to 15's? Would a wider tire affect FE? Thanks, Matt __________________ Remember, you're unique.....just like everybody else.

05-20-2011, 03:46 PM	#2
thebarber daily driver View User's Garage Drives: the #wrecho Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 5,877	wheel/tire weight is the largest factor i run lightweight 15's w/ 205's and get way better mileage than with my 14" alloys and 185 winter tires... __________________

05-20-2011, 03:55 PM	#3
landrym28 3,300+ at one point.. >:( View User's Garage Drives: 2010 Hatchback RS Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Saint John, NB, Canada Posts: 542	Yeah, I knew weight plays a huge factor for sure. I'm in the process of moving, so money I had set aside to get the car lowered and a sway bar, etc. is being put to that for the time being. Running 205/55/15's has a similar height than 205/50/16's (from what I can remember), so other than tire size/height, there shouldn't be a drastic change in wheel gap. I also wanted 205 because running 185's makes me look like I'm driving my car on popsicle sticks..just too skinny of a tire for me. -Matt __________________ Remember, you're unique.....just like everybody else.

05-22-2011, 01:05 PM	#4
thebarber daily driver View User's Garage Drives: the #wrecho Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 5,877	205's are nice. i run 205-50-15's (though i HAVE run 55's) but my oem tire is 175-65-14 which is a bit shorter than what they use now the 55's eat up wheel gap, thats for sure. i would spend the extra on light wheels....its worth the money, trust me. __________________

05-22-2011, 02:44 PM	#5
why? Only Happy When it Rains View User's Garage Drives: Yaris LB Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: harnett county NC Posts: 4,097	It is mostly about the weight of the wheel. Although another thing is if the tire/wheel height is different the mileage you are going will be different than what the car is telling you. I agree with lightweight wheels, they just make everything so much better. __________________ Colin Chapman disciple

05-23-2011, 07:58 AM	#6
landrym28 3,300+ at one point.. >:( View User's Garage Drives: 2010 Hatchback RS Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Saint John, NB, Canada Posts: 542	Thanks for the input! I might hold off for the time being, considering I just bought new tires for my 16's this past winter. I'm only getting about 100km/tank less than I was with my other 15s (It could be worse I guess). Right now, it might not be worth buying lightweight wheels & new tires. I would have to sit down and work out the costs. For the amount I would spend, it would probably take a few years worth of buying extra gas to offset that costs. Considering the tires are new, I might just wait until they're worn down and need to be replaced, then switch to 15s then. -Matt __________________ Remember, you're unique.....just like everybody else.

05-23-2011, 02:22 PM	#7
marlondog Shut your fricken suck!!! View User's Garage Drives: 07' liftback Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lost Angeles Posts: 755	I currently have 195/55/15s, but will change the out for 205/55's once the tires wear out. I've had them before, and there was a slight decrease in mileage compaired to the 185/60's. They fill in the wheel gaps, and give your car a "don't f with me" stance. They will also give your wheels some extra cushion and sidewall. 15's with little tires look pretty silly on our cars, so 205/55's or 195/55's will do the job.

05-23-2011, 02:29 PM	#8
thebarber daily driver View User's Garage Drives: the #wrecho Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 5,877	bah, my car looks fine w/ 205-50-15's....and i don't rub __________________

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