Mpg difference between 17” and 16” wheels?

Hello, all. Though I’ve spent numerous hours reading threads of TW for years, I join the site today since I’m finally ready to pull the trigger for 20’ Taco.

Living in SoCal, I heard from dealers that 2020 model is likely landing in the lot around October.

I plan to get TRD Sport with least extra spending possible. So probably I will go with a lease deal based on lowest possible sum for 3 yrs. (maybe time to contact Cody Carter?)

I’ve one question that still can’t find enough data. Assuming putting stock size tire, does 16inch stock wheel (TRD pro) have noticeable MPG advantage over 17inch TRD sport stock / 4runner TRD pro wheel?

I’m considering getting 17 inch 4 runner TRD pro wheel because it has good price, and I can just use Taco TRD Sport stock tire.

From TRD Sport stock -> 16 inch Taco TRD pro wheel swap seems to cost me around $1,500. (Including tire)

Honestly, I spend most of time on I-5 / I-405
with 60-70 miles daily commute. So MPG is the only concern for me. I like both designs.

How’s your experience with 16 inch wheel?

Thank you.

 

Im gonna guess it would have to do more with the weight of both setups. Whichever is lighter will give better mpg

 

Weight, diameter of tire, and rolling resistance are what matters.

The Sport's tire is much simpler and more highway oriented, the Goodyears on the O/R and Pro are more "aggressive" and thus higher rolling resistance.

The best MPG will be from the 245's on the SR and SR5 models.

So you can go with the TRD Pro rim, but you'll have to get Bridgestone Dueler H/T tires to enjoy mileage. Otherwise get beefy tires and forget about MPG.

 

Stick with the Sport OEM wheels or trade down for someone’s SR5 takeoffs. I commute on the 5 and 405 both, and I’m getting in the far range of what is reasonably possible in terms of MPGs — 23-24 annual vehicle average — using stock 16” SR5 wheels and tires. Driving style will be much more critical than swapping wheels, I think. Some people find the tonneau helps a bit, so there’s that. And you should consider the 2wd version if MPGs are important and you don’t really need 4wd, because there is a slight hit to MPG due to the weight and transfer case and parasitic drag.

 

I switched from my stock SR [steel]wheel+tire to the stock OR wheel+tire. I saved about 2lbs at each corner, but also took a slight mileage hit. And I mean slight; I do mostly highway miles and average 23mpg annually.

 

1 inch









I’m usually more helpful than this but

 

You want the best mpg? P rated, Smallest diameter, skinniest tread width, least aggressive tread pattern and hardest rubber compound. That's for tires.
For wheels, weight is your enemy. The lightest wheel will require the least amount of torque to accelerate which will require the least amount of fuel.
So if mpg is king, do the above.

 

I have heard the same tire on different 17/18+ rims affect the ride, More sidewall = better ride
19" rims would be hella less comfortable than 16s giving.....grain of salt though

 

Coasting downhill gets me the best MPG. I coast downhill both ways where ever and when ever l can.

 

Probably better with a Ridgeline if MPG is so important.

 

Above all, I really appreciate prompt advice.

Specifically, I consider 17” 4runner TRD Pro wheel because I thought that I can only change the rim and keep the stock tire of Taco TRD Sport. (So I don’t need to get new tire.)

Swapping to SR5 wheel sounds like a good idea! If I got lucky, I might be able to find someone with SR5 wanting TRD Sport stock wheel. Or I guess SR5 wheel’d be at least cheaper than 16” TRD Pro wheel.
(News announce that new 20 16” TRD pro wheel’s going to be lighter, just to note.)

As you guys mentioned, driving style and all other factors should be considered, and I understand importance of it. So keeping these variables constant, I’ve been curious having 16” wheel can make meaningful MPG difference. Also I will get 2wd. With 2 young kids, I hardly even have time to get away.
(And... I spent many hours of last 20 years on
dirt and mountain as enduro semi pro enthusiasts. Too many broken bones and got old. Now I’ve a become city working dad. Haha)

P.s. It’s absolutely my personal opinion - I just can’t get away from Taco. I know Ridgeline and even F150 have better MPG but for me Tacoma looks way better. I just try to figure out what’d be best under the given condition. (TRD Sport)

 

I must disagree. Tacoma gets better mpg.

 

At idle, sitting like a duck on the 405? Not sure about that. I’d give idle MPG to the Honda.

 

I've had both. The Ridgeline was around 18 pretty much all the time. My Tacoma is in the 20 mpg range. You may be right about idling, I live in a small town so can't really say.

 

I also heard that the new 2020 pro wheel was forged. Which would mean very light but would have to actually weigh one to find out

 

If I was worried about mpg I would buy a cheap car for the commute and keep my Taco for fun. Its a truck!!! Trucks burn gas!

 

I run the TRD Pro 4runner wheels with 265/70/17s Toyo Open Country AT2 in a SL rating. This combo is the same weight as my stock sport wheels and tires, now the speedo and my gps are accurate. I didn't loose any gas mileage.

 

Are you going with a budget lease deal with the intention of buyout at the end? If so, the wheel acquisition won't matter (financially). If your plan is to turn it back, you just tossed $1.5k for cosmetics. Which is fine if that's what you want to do. But your 'low sum' and MPG concerns suggest otherwise.

With an MPG concern, length and type of commute, I'd suggest that a truck isn't the call here. Unless regular toting of something only a truck will handle is a requirement. No truck is really fuel friendly.

There are several other choices that will have a much lower TCO, particularly for your described use.

 

This!
If you're leasing solely to get payments down, commuting 60-70 miles daily, and strapped to the point where 1mpg makes a difference- this is not the time, sorry.

 

Considering your daily work commute is 60-70 miles not including driving the ttuck for personal reasons, you could easily be driving 18-20 thousands miles annully. Something that needs to be taken in account. Most leases have 10-15k mileage allotments.