Ok, so I have searched for threads talking about downsizing to 14" rims on the xA but I haven't found much info. Has anyone here done it?

I need to get new tires since the Potenza RE92's went bald at 29k. I am a hyper-miler and get an average of 42 to 48 mpg in town depending on the temperature. I am looking to shed some serious weight on the drivetrain but still maintain a stock or better ride quality and handling. Did I mention that money is a huge limiting factor?

Here is the plan, so far:

14X5.5 steel wheels from Tirerack (the ones they offer for -1 size winter wheel and tire packages)
$152

175/70R14 Sumitomo HTR 200 Tires from Tirerack
$196

Mounted, balanced and shipped for $432.23

I figure that the stock wheels weigh 16.7lbs according to this forum.
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=348
The stock tires weigh in at 18lbs according to Tirerack.com which gets its info from the manufacturer I believe. That means the stock wheel and tire weight should be 34.7lbs not 37lbs as it says in that forum sticky.

I am assuming the 14" steel wheels will weigh less than or equal to the stock ones, since it is Sunday and I can't call to confirm with the Tirerack. Assuming they weigh the same 16.7lbs, I can save 1lb at each corner by getting the Sumitomo tires because they weigh one pound less than the stock tires. If the Tirerack steel wheels are lighter than I can save even more. Furthermore, going to a smaller wheel and taller tire should give me a more plush ride while still maintaining the speedo accuracy.

Any thoughts? I would gladly go with other 14" rims that fit correctly, but I can't find any for less than$38.

 

some years of Toyota Echo had 14's you might look into a set from a yard and save some money.
I believe that 14's will clear some have run them on xB's
you can use this tire size calculator to find if that size is close to stock diameter
http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp
these sizes will all be within 3% of stock spec
175/70R14
185/65R14
185/70R14

 

Sweet, thanks for the tip on the Echo. I plum forgot about those. Same platform and everything. I will do some checking at the local yards.

 

here is another tire calculator that ive always used
http://www.rims-n-tires.com/rt_specs.jsp?postId=906
you also need to make sure you use a lower offset than stock so you you don't get too close to any of the break components

 

If you are saving 1lb per corner, it is not worth that price, you won't notice enough of a difference.

Do you have the stock 15" alloys or the stock steel wheels? Because there is a weight difference there of a few pounds.

If I was you I'd look for a set of lightweight alloy wheels in either 14" or 15". You might be able to find factory alloys from something with the same bolt pattern that are lighter than the factory alloy.

The

 

hotbox05 had this done a few years ago..he ran BMW stockers

 

I've looked all over for local 14" wheels that will fit and it seems to be more difficult than I imagined to find some. I checked with TireRack and those 14" steelies are 19 lbs which is a few more than the stock 15" wheels, so forget that idea.

I would love to get these but I can't find any money.

Kosei K1 TS Light Grey 14"
9.3 lbs. @ $119 each + shipping.

Getting married in June and moving from the Midwest to Oregon in August so money is scarce. Looks like my hopes and dreams are taking a back seat on this one. I'm going to order the new Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tires for the stock 15" wheels. Thanks for all the input and suggestions!

 

You can use early Miata wheels for a perfect fit. They're easy to find, cheap and lite.

 

I like this idea... I want to get a second set for winter tires (in New England) and there's got to be a few hundred laying around in the yards...

 

it's nice to see someone talking about going for 14" (on average lighter then a 15"+ size) , as most people are into the BIG is better thing, big BLING-bling factor.

The word "downsizing" is interesting, I'd look at it as a movement , but not as a "bad thing". Maybe "scaling down" would be a better term to use

 

I think Honda Civic 14" wheels fit on the xA/xB, I'm not sure how much they weigh.

They say removing 1 pound of wheel weight saves as much gas as shaving 4 pounds of the car's weight.

 

I've heard that comparison as well... but mainly in regards to bicycle wheel weight(road or mountain bike) . If you shave off 1lb of wheel weight, its like shaving 5 pounds of total bicycle weight! Either way you cut it, lighter wheels are supreme... especially when they are quality forged wheels (not so sure if those Motegi- made by American Racing , forged wheels fall into that catogory or not... they still aren't exactly cheap either @ about $250 per wheel).

As long as the wheel is 4X100 lug spacing , 13"-15" it should be totally fine for fitment. Once you enter 16"+ , thats when offset + spacing can be an issue.

 

Sorry but 13" will NOT fit. The 14" Miata wheels I mentioned JUST fit. Other 14" may not. Try before you buy.

 

Sorry but 13" will NOT fit. The 14" Miata wheels I mentioned JUST fit. Other 14" may not. Try before you buy.

 

In what way do they "not fit" ?

How can you "try before you buy" ?
I guess if you find a local private party seller, with 13" or 14" wheels that they are selling, slap them on your ride, and see if it pans out or not. Some sellers might be fine with it, but don't expact all sellers to be fine with it. Technically, you could drop your stock steelies, put on a sellers nice alloys to "try" , then drive off and never come back

 

The front brake system is too large to fit inside a 13" wheel.

 

So I guess the question is: will 14" (Miata or other) actually make a difference on gas mileage?

 

14"s, depending on weight, with moon disc/pizza pan hubcaps could be good for +2 or 3 MPG! So yes.

 

Sweet. Has this been done before? Would you need to get spacers, or do they fit as is?

I'd really like to do this for winter with some studded snows.

 

Wow, I am a little surprised at how many people had their interest peaked with the "downsizing" option. In the end, I didn't have enough cash to do it the way I would have liked to. I ended up with the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max P185/65/R15. It is amazing how much grippier they are than the stock "Performance Summer" Bridgestone Potenza's. These tires are reportedly going to be stock on the new Chevy Volt. As another plus they cost less than the OEM Potenza's.

The guy at TiresPlus gave me grief saying that I was ruining the handling and ride quality of my car and that I won't see any change in fuel mileage. Little does he know. I pumped up the tires to 45psi, max sidewall is 51psi, but valve stems are only rated at 45psi max (so I hear). The tires are still grippier than the old ones and the ride quality is a little softer. Averaging 43 to 45 mpg in town, confirmed by my ScanGauge II. Can't wait for the next road trip to test them on the highway.