'Gearing down your car...'???

1. chris-hall-yo Frequent Poster Joined: Sep 2011 Stratford-upon-avon Posts: 596 Saxo 1.1

   #1 10th November 2011, 17:46

   I was told by someone that putting 13'' alloys on my 1.1 will 'gear down' my car as it is used to 14'' wheels. they said the car would feel like its in second gear when pulling away 'sluggish'. However 2day at the garage I was told the opposite and this would only happen if the wheel is larger than the 14''!!! does anyone know if would 'gear down' my car because the wheels are smaller? thanks
2. kennym1987 Established Member Joined: Sep 2007 Armadale, West Lothian Posts: 1230 flatty 16v sleeper and a regular vts

   #2 10th November 2011, 17:52

   i'm pretty sure smaller wheels mean they spin more so more acceleration. but my 13" steelies and tyres look about the same size as my 15" alloys and tyres (bigger profile tyre on the steels and smaller on the alloy)
3. f13sta Established Member Joined: Sep 2010 loughborough Posts: 2229 1988 ford fiesta mk2 1.4- 2001 black saxo furio (d

   #3 10th November 2011, 17:54

   as above smaller tyres rotate more there for increasing revs.
   
   its larger tryes/ wheels that make it seem like your pulling away in the wrong gear.
4. chris-hall-yo Frequent Poster Joined: Sep 2011 Stratford-upon-avon Posts: 596 Saxo 1.1

   #4 10th November 2011, 17:56

   ye thort this too, nd the 13'' will be slightly smaller than my currant 14''. dont tink ther will be much of a difference thow will it if it does? the car wont feel like 2nd when pulling off surely, thats quite a difference lol
5. KrisB Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Aug 2009 Dorking,Surrey,M25 J9 Posts: 2616 Static -80mm Peugeot 405

   #5 10th November 2011, 17:58

   Smaller tryre circumfrence means quicker acceleration and lower top end.
6. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

   #6 13th November 2011, 12:52

   Rim size is irrelevant to some extent in this its the outer circumfrence and diameter of the tyre that matters
   
   The small the distance the car covers in one rotation of the wheel means itll accelerate faster (to some extent)
   Basically running a 14 inch wheel as an example standard 185/55/14 tyres so if you fit 185/45/14 then youve made the diameter and circumference smaller and it will accelerate faster
   
   The smaller wheel will effect more in weight terms of thing a heavier wheel takes more effort to spin (same effect as a lightened flywheel ect) the same style wheel a 14 will weigh less than a 15 of the exact same make/style
   Then its if the tyres are lighter ect but comes down to a lot of things wether the theory can be applied and if youd notice it
   
   Basically its a lot more in depth than a 13" vs a 14" wheel
7. Mochachino Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2007 Guantanamo Bay Posts: 28700 oyster card

   #7 13th November 2011, 13:15

   14" VTR wheels with standard tyre size have a slightly larger circumference than 15" VTS wheels with standard tyre size FYI.
8. e8_pqck Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Aug 2010 Midlands Posts: 2530 AX 16v Turbo

   #8 13th November 2011, 15:14

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Mochachino 14" VTR wheels with standard tyre size have a slightly larger circumference than 15" VTS wheels with standard tyre size FYI.

   http://www.mintylamb.co.uk/?page=tyre.htm
   
   It's negligible at 0.1" so in real terms it's exactly the same hence speedo will read the same.
9. chris-hall-yo Frequent Poster Joined: Sep 2011 Stratford-upon-avon Posts: 596 Saxo 1.1

   #9 13th November 2011, 17:29

   ok... haha thanks. iv got some tyres im getting cos som1 i no is selling me 2 bridgestone 175/50/13 real cheap and then gettin 2 fresh 2 match. It wont be any difference really to the steels as stated above. ^^^^
10. Grant187 Infrequent Poster Joined: Oct 2011 Stone Cross Posts: 184

    #10 13th November 2011, 18:02

    it dont really make much diffrence to your speed as you wont notice it, The big one you need to watch out for is the speedo changing that will make more of a diffrence per inch
11. e8_pqck Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Aug 2010 Midlands Posts: 2530 AX 16v Turbo

    #11 13th November 2011, 19:47

    Use the calculator to compare sizes.
    
    http://www.mintylamb.co.uk/?page=tyre.htm
    
    That's a 2" difference in ride height and will put your speedo out.
    
    This will also affect your insurance as the tyre and wheel combination is not standard. i think this is where people fail miserably and don't understand the consequences of their actions.
12. Manu Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned

    #12 14th November 2011, 12:43

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by chris-hall-yo ok... haha thanks. iv got some tyres im getting cos som1 i no is selling me 2 bridgestone 175/50/13 real cheap and then gettin 2 fresh 2 match. It wont be any difference really to the steels as stated above. ^^^^

    You will notice a difference. To be honest 1.1s can't handle anything beyond 13" and will lose power + worsen the mpg. Then It's important to get proper quality tyres on 13s as they don't have much grip as standard.
13. Grant187 Infrequent Poster Joined: Oct 2011 Stone Cross Posts: 184

    #13 15th November 2011, 04:46

    195/15's 1.1 with 1.4 engine. 25mile to the gallen and it handles pretty good
14. Grant187 Infrequent Poster Joined: Oct 2011 Stone Cross Posts: 184

    #14 15th November 2011, 04:47

    and it beats any standard 1.4s and its standard its self exept for the backbox an rims and stuff that dont effect the drive of the car
15. chinkostu Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2008 The wrong carpark Posts: 5152 Xantia 1.9TD

    #15 20th November 2011, 15:46

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Grant187 195/15's 1.1 with 1.4 engine. 25mile to the gallen and it handles pretty good

    25mpg from a 1.4? Thats bad, i get 44 from a vtr with a 1.1 box!