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Monday, December 14, 2009

Smart Car Wheels - Let Them Roll

The smart car wheels are not what most Americans are used to with a small car. The factory standard wheels fit a tire on the front of 155/60R15 on a 4.5Jx15. The rear wheel is a 5.5Jx15 that fits a tire of 175/55R15. This was in the design of the engineers from the start. A larger wheel is capable of getting better fuel mileage. This is basic physics that most small car manufacturers forgot about in the past.
From the factory these cars are made to fit a 15 inch rim, but that has not stopped the aftermarket companies from giving owners more choices. With the recent development of low profile tires, the 16 inch and 17 inch rims can be but on a smartfortwo car without any body modifications. This does require a very low profile tire like the Pirelli P Nero Zero at 195/40/17. Some owners have complained about periodical rubbing, but that is what is to be expected when a wheel 2 inches larger than stock is placed on a car.
The aftermarket 16 inch wheels are made with the same bolt pattern to fit on the smartfortwo car just like the standard 15 inch rims. The biggest complaint is that the ride is not as smooth. What most owners are not aware of is that a low profile tire eliminates some of the shock cushion a regular tire absorbs. The ride is stiffer with these low profile tires but the cornering abilities are increased with a stabler surface from the tire. There is a give and take. Deciding on what you prefer is a personal choice when it comes to your smart car wheels.

1 comment:

  1. I agree that the Tubi style exhaust make the best sound on F355 and their manifolds are stronger than original one and the problem shouldn't appear again with them. But as usual with italian you have to wait and pay high price.

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