Touring really slower 0-60?
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Actually, the tires (and specifically their width) have a huge impact, moreso than the weight. Wider tires produce a lot more friction and drag. You'll notice the EX with the Premium package, which has the same weight and features as the Touring other than the tires (it uses the narrower ones from the LX) gets the same fuel economy as the LX rather than the Touring.
Wider tires are more likely to have positive benefits in 0-60 times because of better grip (friction) on the road. That extra drag is unlikely to have a measurable effect on 0-60 (could even improve o-60 with the better tire grip), but as I did say, it will have an impact on mileage. The width of the tire is not the only drag (sorry) on the fuel efficiency. Lower profile 18" wheels by their very nature have less flexible sidewalls, and thus higher rolling resistance.
If you think tire size is more important than weight on a low powered car for 0-60, well, read a physics text chapter on acceleration. Think about accelerating up a hill. Steeper the hill, the more difficult to get up to speed, right? Think about a lighter car with the same power performing the same task. Put stupid wide tires on the lighter car. Which one will get to the top of hill first?
If you think tire size is more important than weight on a low powered car for 0-60, well, read a physics text chapter on acceleration. Think about accelerating up a hill. Steeper the hill, the more difficult to get up to speed, right? Think about a lighter car with the same power performing the same task. Put stupid wide tires on the lighter car. Which one will get to the top of hill first?
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They do. But the larger the rim, the smaller the sidewall. The smaller the sidewall, the wider the tire, in order to increase the contact patch. The larger the contact patch, the more friction between the tire and the road, and more rolling resistance.
Based on the EPA rating, the width of the tire is in fact the only drag on fuel efficiency here. The Touring and the EX with the Premium package would have the exact same weight as the only difference in spec is the wheel and tire package. And a drastic difference in fuel economy, much more drastic than the MPG difference between the loaded EX and the lightweight FE trim.
The width of the tire is only one factor at work here. Another one as I stated is the tire profile. Last one is that this tire was not designed for efficiency in the way that it was constructed, belts and materials used versus the Michelin OEM for 16" wheels.
You have an odd idea of how profile affects tire width. It is independent of width and multiple profiles are available for the same width for cars. Ever look at truck tires? They are certainly not low profile. What about earth moving tires? Some of those are as wide as entire cars, and extreme high profile.
You have an odd idea of how profile affects tire width. It is independent of width and multiple profiles are available for the same width for cars. Ever look at truck tires? They are certainly not low profile. What about earth moving tires? Some of those are as wide as entire cars, and extreme high profile.
I guess I don't care about 0-60 on a Hybrid. I just took a 2018 Touring on lease and its seems to have plenty of punch for me ...ie. the battery/torque kick of a Hybrid. If I want real 0-60 punch I'll get in my Mini Cooper JCW GP Supercharged pocket rocket. However I find the 18" Michellin treaded wheels very smooth riding. I was not expecting that and I love it. It may have to do with the Niro having a slightly stretched wheelbase compared to others in its class but I was impressed on my test drive as was my wife and we continue to feel that way. The combo of that wheel/tire package and I think very well designed suspension is a winner.
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The lower the tire profile on a car, the wider you make the tires. This is to compensate for less compression available on a narrower sidewall that would otherwise widen the contact patch just from the car sitting on the tires. You may know physics in general, but you have a few things to learn about their practical application in the automotive space.
So when you take a Niro, which normally comes with a 16 inch rim and associated tires, and then you replace those with 18 inch rims with lower profile tires, those lower profile tires will be significantly wider than the 16 inch setup. Among many other differences in ride and handling, the wider, lower profile tires with the extra rubber contact area create more friction with the road, requiring more power to roll.
The formula for friction does not include a "width" so the fact that the tires are wider really doesnt matter. What matters is construction and mass in motion. In the calculation for rotation, the weight is a squared function. 2 pounds = 4 felt pounds, 3 pounds = 9 felt pounds etc.
The width probably add some air resistance.
The width probably add some air resistance.
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This a post from the future nov 2020 I put the 16s on our Touring instead of the 18s. The car rides better, seems a bit more peppy off the line. Most importantly the mileage increased quite significantly.
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On my 2018 HEV LX, it is traction limited in 1st gear when the battery is fully charged. Then when it shifts into 2nd gear it chirps the tires. It is the only economy car I have ever seen that will do that from the factory with an automatic transmission. With better traction I’m 100% sure the 0-60 times would be better.
Possibly a slightly out of spec DCT. Mine certainly has never done that.
Ok, now we are becoming a true car enthusiast forum. 😁
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I found traction control to be over sensitive on paved roads that have a little gravel on them. The electric motor provides such a huge boost in zero rpm torque that it VERY easily spins a tire, and when that happens, it kills all throttle, and keeps it off for about a full second before starting to return power even if you were giving the Niro moderate throttle.
I have ran almost every vehicle I have ever owned on the drag strip regardless if it was a performance car like my old 2003 Dodge SRT4, or my economical 1996 Geo Metro LSI. Even MANY rental cars of mine found their way to a drag strip. My Niro though, never has.
I have ran almost every vehicle I have ever owned on the drag strip regardless if it was a performance car like my old 2003 Dodge SRT4, or my economical 1996 Geo Metro LSI. Even MANY rental cars of mine found their way to a drag strip. My Niro though, never has.
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