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are 17 or 16 inch wheels better

by Maximillia Lindgren Published 1 year ago Updated 6 months ago
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Full Answer

How much does it cost to replace a 16 inch wheel?

How much does an 18 inch tire weigh?

What is the difference between a steel wheel and an aluminum wheel?

Why do cars have king size wheels?

Can you change your wheel size without taking the sidewall height into account?

Do bigger wheels cost more?

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Are 16-inch or 17-inch wheels better?

The difference is of tyre size, where 16-inch wheels come with tyres that have larger sidewalls that act as cushions against sharp edges on the roads, like ruts and potholes. While 17-inch tyres look much better, provides a better grip on the road and no doubt increases the car ground clearance too.

What rim size is best for performance?

For most standard tire sizes, the optimum rim width factor is between 0.8 and 0.9 of the tire section width for ideal performance and if the tire is used with lowest inflation pressure. For normal usage, tires work properly on rims from 0.7 to 0.95 of tire section width.

Is it better to have smaller or bigger wheels?

Overall, bigger tires and wheels are better for increasing your vehicle's traction. However, bigger tires also mean bigger price tags, according to Consumer Reports. Try to find the best balance between size and your budget.

Is it better to have bigger wheels on the front or back?

Advantages of larger rear wheels in an RWD car? Having a larger diameter rear wheel increases the amount of rubber that contacts the road along the axis of the vehicle which increases your acceleration potential. When you accelerate, much of your vehicle's weight shifts to the rear.

What size tire gives the smoothest ride?

Smaller wheel = smoothest ride quality, low stability, predictable handling, average road noise.

What is the most popular rim size?

What Size Rim Is Right For Your Truck? There was a time when 15-inch rims ruled the land, regardless of whether you had a Jeep or a truck. Over the last decade there was a push toward larger rim diameters, with 17 inches now the most popular size.

Do smaller wheels get better gas mileage?

Tire Size. Larger tires decrease your fuel economy because they are heavier, while smaller tires increase fuel efficiency. Bigger tires also have a higher rolling resistance than smaller tires which means they require more resistance and effort to get them rolling.

What are the pros and cons of larger wheels?

Advantages Of Bigger WheelsImproved Grip and Traction. Usually, the large and wide tires have more rubber on their track. ... Improved Cornering. ... Better Braking. ... Better Appearance. ... Disadvantages Of Bigger Wheels.Increased Fuel Consumption. ... Hard Steering And Slow Acceleration. ... Quick Tire Wear.More items...•

Do bigger wheels slow you down?

So, increasing your wheel size will decrease the driving force from your wheels which will culminate in a decrease in acceleration of said wheels. To summarise, a car's engine finds it more difficult to rotate larger wheels, making for a decrease in overall acceleration.

Do bigger wheels ride better?

In general, bigger wheels on any type of vehicle make the ride quality stiffer. However, they also improve stability and handling greatly. There are ways to have both smooth ride quality and good stability and handling.

Can I use 16 inch tires instead of 17?

Yes you can fit 16 inch tyres instead of the 17 inch ones just make sure to increase the tyre profile in order to reach the OEM circumference of the wheel your car came with ( if it was fitted with 17 inches from the manufacturer) otherwise you may get speedometer error.

Why bigger rims are better?

Wider car wheels, in the most basic sense, result in more road contact, wider thread, and stiffer sidewalls, all of these characteristics and more will contribute to your vehicle cornering better. Bigger wheels open your car up to better design choices along with a better assortment of tires.

Are Bigger wheels better for performance?

While larger-diameter wheels and tires should improve handling and high-speed performance, lower-profile tires also tend to have a firmer ride and may be noisier than the smaller, standard rubber. Some potential performance benefits may be offset by the additional weight of the larger tires and wheels.

Will a smaller rim make you faster?

Yes, smaller wheels accelerate faster, but it doesn't matter. It all has to do with the rotational moment of inertia. The moment of inertia of an object is simply how easy it is to move the object. The heavier something is, the harder it is to move.

Do bigger rims make car faster?

Larger wheel diameters can result in faster and more composed handling; however, it can also result in slower acceleration capability. While there are a few disadvantages for any vehicle when increasing the wheel and/or tire size, curb appeal usually outweighs them.

Do rims matter for performance?

Rims do more than make the vehicle look cool. A quality set of rims will enhance the performance and give a smoother ride. That rim must fit the vehicle, though; otherwise, it will worsen the performance of the vehicle. They must also be suitable for your driving style and where you do most of your driving.

18 vs 20-inch Wheels: What’s the Difference? | House Grail

18 vs 20 Inch Wheels – Which Is Best? Although larger wheels tend to look better, smaller wheels have several advantages. They offer better acceleration, are lighter, and improve the ride quality.

What size wheels are best for offroading?

It depends on your intended purpose and the application. For Trucks: If you’re debating if 16 or 17 inch wheels are better for offroading the answer is 16” if you’re rock crawling or either if you’re not.

Which is better for rock crawling: 16 inch or 17 inch?

The reason 16” will be better for rock crawling is due to the fact that with a 16” wheel you’ll end up with a tire with a bigger sidewall which helps grip the rocks. For Cars: If you’re debating if 16 or 17 inch wheels are better for daily driving it also depends on if you prefer ride quality over aesthetics.

Which is cheaper, 16 inch or 17 inch tires?

Tires for 16-inch wheels are cheaper than those designed for 17-inch wheels

What are the pros and cons of a 16 inch wheel?

Smaller wheels allow you to “air down” more than larger ones, for a larger contact patch and better traction. Tires for 16-inch wheels are cheaper than those designed for 17-inch wheels. More variety for tires that fit 16-inch wheels.

Why are smaller wheels better for tires?

Smaller wheels allow for tires with taller sidewalls that are more forgiving for a softer ride

What does it mean when your wheels are bigger?

Bigger wheels mean more unsprung mass, possibly putting strain on your suspension and brakes

What are low profile tires?

low-profile tires) are much less resilient to damage from potholes, jagged rocks, and other common obstacles that you may run into while out on 4×4 trails or even during street driving.

Can you go big with your wheels?

Absolutely go big enough with your wheels to fit bigger brakes if that’s part of your build, but going too big with the wheel means you compromise the size of tireyou can run.

Are Bigger Rims Better for Off-Roading?

As a general rule of thumb, bigger wheels are better for off-roading because they give you the ability to raise the ride height of your vehicle without spending money on a lift kit.

How to find the weight of a tire?

The best way to figure this out is to go to some site, like tirerack.com and compare the same tire in the 2 different sizes. You'll be able to find the actual weight of each tire and go from there.

What does the tire calculator do?

The Tire calculator will answer your size/speedo/odo/gearing effect questions.

Can the same size tire have different weights?

Maybe. Maybe not. The same size tire can have different weights in different brands.

How wide is a 16" wheel?

As long as you are talking about wheels between 8 and 9 inches wide, the back spacing is all that is important. The 16's are commonly 4.5 back spacing and that is the correct fit.

What is offset on a wheel?

Offset is the distance between the mounting surface and the center-line of the wheel and back spacing is the distance between the mounting surface and the inside edge of the wheel.

How much does it cost to replace a 16 inch wheel?

For example, when Cars.com compared the replacement costs of some wheels and tires, a standard 16-inch steel wheel for a Toyota Camry was $172 to replace at a dealership. A 17-inch alloy wheel on a Camry XLE, however, was $379. For an 18-inch alloy wheel on a Chevrolet Traverse, one dealer quoted us a price of $371, but for an optional 20-inch wheel, the price was $569.

How much does an 18 inch tire weigh?

An 18-inch tire, for example, will probably weigh at least a couple of pounds more than a 16- or 17-inch tire. That could also be true of a larger-size wheel.

What is the difference between a steel wheel and an aluminum wheel?

A steel wheel weighs more than an aluminum alloy wheel, so the latter enhances performance by reducing the unsprung weight. But replacing a standard 17-inch alloy wheel with an 18- or 19-inch alloy rim will add weight — unless it’s an expensive, lightweight type. Bigger wheels cost more money.

Why do cars have king size wheels?

CARS.COM — Larger wheels give cars a more aggressive stance and greater stage presence, which is why automakers install king-size rims on concept cars. They look cool.

Can you change your wheel size without taking the sidewall height into account?

If you change to larger wheels without taking sidewall height into consideration, you not only run the risk of damaging the suspension, wheels or tires, you’ll also get incorrect speedometer readings because the wheels are turning at a different speed than before. By matching lower-profile tire sizing to larger-diameter wheel size, speedometer and odometer readings should change only a little, if at all. With larger wheels and lower profile tires — and the resultant shorter sidewalls — they’re stiffer and there’s less of an air and rubber cushion than before, increasing the chances that hitting a large pothole could damage the tire, wheel or both.

Do bigger wheels cost more?

Bigger wheels cost more money. The bigger you go, the more expensive the wheels and tires. If you buy larger wheels as part of an option package on a new vehicle, or get them as standard equipment on a higher trim level, the initial cost may not be that high. But when it comes to replacing a damaged wheel or tire (or just the replacement tires when the tread is worn), the extra cost can be substantial.

How much does it cost to replace a 16 inch wheel?

For example, when Cars.com compared the replacement costs of some wheels and tires, a standard 16-inch steel wheel for a Toyota Camry was $172 to replace at a dealership. A 17-inch alloy wheel on a Camry XLE, however, was $379. For an 18-inch alloy wheel on a Chevrolet Traverse, one dealer quoted us a price of $371, but for an optional 20-inch wheel, the price was $569.

How much does an 18 inch tire weigh?

An 18-inch tire, for example, will probably weigh at least a couple of pounds more than a 16- or 17-inch tire. That could also be true of a larger-size wheel.

What is the difference between a steel wheel and an aluminum wheel?

A steel wheel weighs more than an aluminum alloy wheel, so the latter enhances performance by reducing the unsprung weight. But replacing a standard 17-inch alloy wheel with an 18- or 19-inch alloy rim will add weight — unless it’s an expensive, lightweight type. Bigger wheels cost more money.

Why do cars have king size wheels?

CARS.COM — Larger wheels give cars a more aggressive stance and greater stage presence, which is why automakers install king-size rims on concept cars. They look cool.

Can you change your wheel size without taking the sidewall height into account?

If you change to larger wheels without taking sidewall height into consideration, you not only run the risk of damaging the suspension, wheels or tires, you’ll also get incorrect speedometer readings because the wheels are turning at a different speed than before. By matching lower-profile tire sizing to larger-diameter wheel size, speedometer and odometer readings should change only a little, if at all. With larger wheels and lower profile tires — and the resultant shorter sidewalls — they’re stiffer and there’s less of an air and rubber cushion than before, increasing the chances that hitting a large pothole could damage the tire, wheel or both.

Do bigger wheels cost more?

Bigger wheels cost more money. The bigger you go, the more expensive the wheels and tires. If you buy larger wheels as part of an option package on a new vehicle, or get them as standard equipment on a higher trim level, the initial cost may not be that high. But when it comes to replacing a damaged wheel or tire (or just the replacement tires when the tread is worn), the extra cost can be substantial.

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The Quick Answer

  • Larger 17″ alloy wheels will have give the car sportier handling by improving cornering and stability compared to 16″ wheels. However, 16″ wheels are cheaper and produce less road noise, have better fuel economy and feel more comfortable compared to 17″ wheels.
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Appearance

  • Most car owners prefer the look of larger alloys on a vehicle and lower profile tires. With a 16″ wheel, you’ll have more tire sidewall compared to a 17″ wheel where the sidewall is narrower. Larger rims tend to make the car look nicer so it’s why most manufacturers increase the stock alloy size as the trim level is upgraded. Of course upping the size of your alloys and decreasing t…
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Performance and Handling

  • As I mentioned above, increasing the alloy size generally means you’ll also need to decrease the sidewall height of the tire to make sure the overall wheel fits comfortably in the arch. The lower profile tires found on a car with 17″ alloys will make the car feel a bit “sportier”. By this, I mean the handling will feel sharper and the cornering and stability will usually feel better. However, it’s wor…
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Comfort

  • Switching between 16″ and 17″ wheels will have an impact on how comfortable the car feels for both the driver and the passengers. This again relates to the tire’s sidewall height. With 17″ wheels, the lower profile tires will mean there is less cushioning between the people inside the car, and the road. This makes the rid feel firmer and sportier, but it also can feel too harsh for examp…
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Noise Level

  • Another advantage of the 16″ alloys is that they aren’t as loud. This again makes the ride feel a bit more pleasant for the passengers, particularly on faster roads. The tires with a larger sidewall found on a 16″ rim help to reduce the amount of road noise produced. However, the difference in noise levels between 16″ and 17″ wheels isn’t that dramatic and unless you trialled them back t…
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Fuel Consumption

  • A car with 17″ alloys will use more fuel to travel the same distance at the same speed compared to the same car with 16″ alloys. This is because the 17″ alloys are heavier which creates more rolling resistance. In other words, the car has to work harder (using more fuel) to travel the same distance. With that said, the switch from 16″ to 17″ alloys isn’t dramatic and will only decrease y…
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Price

  • In most cases, 17″ alloy wheels are more expensive than 16″ alloy wheels. The price difference is typically around $50 when the alloys cost around $1000 or less but can be up to $500 on more expensive models. Check out this table comparing the prices of different sizes of the same alloys. Interested in buying new wheels or tires? Check out Tire Rackfor a massive selection of 60 whee…
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Alloy and Tire Sizes

  • Changing from 16″ to 17″ alloys (or vice versa) will have an impact on the tires you can run. In most cases, people try and keep the overall wheel size as close to the stock size as possible so that it fits comfortably in the wheel arch, and does not affect the speedometer. If you increase your wheel overall wheel size, then the speedometer will say the car is going slower than it actua…
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