installed my Volks today

[crxgator]

15 x 7, + 35 offset, Volk TE37 with 195/50/15 tires. I may have to trim the bottom rear portion of the skirt as the tire may rub.






gas misers need to state their $.02 about the loss of MPGs.

[RobertSmalls]

Originally Posted by crxgator

gas misers need to state their $.02 about the loss of MPGs.

I can not turn down this invitation.

• You've limited yourself to low-profile tires, which IIRC are stiffer, more expensive, and not available in LRR. And no RE92's!
• Speedo is off by 1%, so you'll have to adjust your fuel economy logs.
• They're too wide for the body, increasing both Cd and A.
• The brake cooling ducts are total overkill, and a big source of aerodynamic drag. When you're going down the highway at 70mph, the bottom of the tire may not be moving relative to the airstream, but the top is moving at 140mph. Since drag is proportionate to airspeed squared, that averages out to MUCH more drag than for an irrotational object. So rotating parts have to be smooth.

Also, I think you should paint the calipers and drums. Big airy wheels need to show off what's underneath. Then they need plexiglass hub caps like Mercedes uses.

As for the fashion aspect, I'm really not equipped to comment. I'm somewhat blind to those considerations, and my friends don't really mind.

I will say that I admire your wash & wax job. And what do you polish your headlights with?

[TRI]

Wouldn't have Volks in the same size as OEM's been better? But the aero drag still remains.
What's next? Heavy Brembo calipers on the front?

[crxgator]

i just gave the car a quick clean at the car wash, no wax, and nothing done to my headlights.

[aisbell]

Originally Posted by crxgator

15 x 7, + 35 offset, Volk TE37 with 195/50/15 tires.

I hope these tires channel water really well because they will be far more likely to hydroplane due to their considerably greater width compared with OEM tires. The light weight of the Insight accentuates this problem. Unexpected sudden hydroplaning on a freeway while driving under the speed limit in a rainstorm nearly caused me to crash a much heavier Corvette on which were installed wide, low-profile tires. I never want to experience that again!

Originally Posted by crxgator

gas misers need to state their $.02 about the loss of MPGs.

How have these tires have affected your fuel consumption?

[crxgator]

Originally Posted by aisbell

I hope these tires channel water really well because they will be far more likely to hydroplane due to their considerably greater width compared with OEM tires. The light weight of the Insight accentuates this problem. Unexpected sudden hydroplaning on a freeway while driving under the speed limit in a rainstorm nearly caused me to crash a much heavier Corvette on which were installed wide, low-profile tires. I never want to experience that again!


How have these tires have affected your fuel consumption?

not trying to be an a$$, but you need to drive a bit better. the re92's are terrible tires, i hated them on my wrx, and i hate them on this car. however, i was perfectly fine with them in the rain and snow.

now, even though the car is lightweight, there are other cars that have the same weight, but with bigger tires. the lotus exige for example, and a crx hf. the crx can be modded and made a lot faster while staying at the 1849 lbs. ive driven one with 205/50/15s in the rain and it was fine. i doubt i will hydroplane due to this. if anything, i will hydroplane less.

not sure about fuel yet because i just filled up the tank and only driven 5 miles yesterday.

[aisbell]

Originally Posted by crxgator

not trying to be an a$$, but you need to drive a bit better. the re92's are terrible tires, i hated them on my wrx, and i hate them on this car. however, i was perfectly fine with them in the rain and snow.

I drive just fine, but thanks for the suggestion. However, I suggest that you need to read a bit better. As I wrote, my hydroplaning experience wasn't with RE92's on an Insight but with my Corvette. I replaced the OEM tires which weren't very wide and were not low-profile with much wider, low-profile tires just as you have done with your Insight. I had no problem with hydroplaning before the replacement just as you have not. My point was simply that installing a wider tire can make hydroplaning more likely unless the tread design channels water better. I have no idea what tires you have installed, so I don't know how well they perform on very wet roads.

Originally Posted by crxgator

not sure about fuel yet because i just filled up the tank and only driven 5 miles yesterday.

It would be interested to learn once you know.

[crxgator]

gas mileage is the same as before.

the rims weigh 9.5 lbs compared to stock's 11.

[aisbell]

Originally Posted by crxgator

gas mileage is the same as before.

the rims weigh 9.5 lbs compared to stock's 11.

That's amazing. I don't recall anyone reporting no effect on their fuel consumption rate when switching to a non-OEM tire, especially one whose aerodynamics are considerably worse due to their larger cross section. It must be a very low rolling resistance tire, a feature that many of us are struggling to find. I'm sure that others would be interested in finding a good replacement for the OEM tires that doesn't increase the fuel consumption rate, so please report the tire that you are using.

The lighter weight of your new wheels might offset their poorer aerodynamics.

[nickon]

Are there any aftermarket wheels for the insight that are the same dimensions+, lighter and known to improve MPG? Custom two/three piece?

Your car with the volks looks good.