Why Does Changing to Larger Wheels Actually Save Fuel?

[AshlynDella]

Larger wheels do not necessarily consume more fuel. Whether wheels are fuel-efficient depends on their weight and deformation characteristics. Weight is related to the appearance size of the tire + wheel, while deformation depends on tire width and aspect ratio, and of course, factors like tire pressure also have an impact. Below are the relevant explanations: 1. Unchanged Tire Width: Replacing the original 701.3mm diameter wheel with a 654.1mm one actually reduces the tire diameter, with a difference of about 50mm. Since the tire width remains unchanged and the aspect ratio is lower, the tire experiences less deformation during driving, making it more suitable for high-speed highway travel. Therefore, this setup does not consume more fuel than the original tires. 2. Increased Resistance: Changing to larger wheels often involves widening the tires, which increases rolling resistance—this is the root cause of higher fuel consumption. Consider the experience of daily cycling: the resistance of mountain bikes, regular bikes, and narrow-tire speed bikes decreases progressively. Early car engines had lower power and were mostly equipped with narrow tires.