Best wheel and tyre size for fuel economy

[hiho]

Hello all,
what wheel size and tyre size would yeild the best mileage for a mk 1 diesel golf?
Cheers!

[Preen59]

Well, a low-ish profile will improve it, because the tyre doesn't drag as much. Then you just have to make sure you don't pick something too wide.

I went from the 195/65 profile 15's on the caddy to 235/45 17's with no noticeable change in fuel economy.... I'm not sure just how much difference it makes really..

[Greg Roles]

If you change the outer circumference, your speedo and odometer, and gearing if it's a sizable difference will be out. For the same size a narrower tyre drags less, and has been proven to use less energy. Look at racing bicycle tyres. Obviously you'll sacrifice grip, so it's a tradeoff. Keeping your tyres pumped up nice and hard helps too.

[Transporter]

Hello all,
what wheel size and tyre size would yeild the best mileage for a mk 1 diesel golf?
Cheers!

Narrower tyre gives you a better economy and also look at tyres which are marked ECO - they are made for better fuel economy.
How long the tyre will last is also important. I consider a good tyre life when I get 45,000km and more out of the tyre.

[hiho]

Thanks folks,

i think that ill go for 14" or 15" inch rims, 5.5" or 6" wide with whatever gives the right outside diameter and is not too wide.

[gregozedobe]

Like Transporter said, some tyre manufacturers make specific tyres with low rolling resistance to improve fuel economy. Also keep your tyre pressures on the high side of what's recommended.

The biggest difference to fuel economy is driving style and anticipation.

I'm sure there are a few threads here about getting more distance from each litre of fuel .

[gldgti]

certainly run a larger diameter tyre combination to lengthen the gears - always helps IF you commute at high speeds.... if you do mostly town driving, i'd just get whatever you like, it'll make little difference if you're only going slowly everywhere.