Actually getting bigger wheels doesn't neccesarly add weight, if you buy quality wheels. Tires are very heavy, a good wheel should weigh no more than 20lbs. If the wheel is heavier than 20lbs don't buy it. Probably the reason for the change in fuel mileage is that the aftermarked wheel tire combo is shorter than the factory combo which translates into a higher RPM for any given speed which increases fuel consumption and the fact that the tire is wider means that there is greater rolling resistance (sorry I'm a physics guy). Not to mention the fact that because of the wider wheel there is greater drag which increases fuel consumption, but in this aspect it is neglagable.
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1994 Infiniti G20 5 speed (rebadged as Nissan Primera)
K&N, Enkei Type 11 GML, JVC KD-SH55 Digifine, Pioneer Pear-mica components, 2 12" round things that bang and a 400W amp to make them bang. Coming soon: ACT clutch, new half-shafts, HKS superform springs, KYB AGX adjustable shocks, $tillen STB, 17" König Toxxins with Yokohama Parada Tires (P215/40R17).
http://gforces.streetracing.org/
"I wish Captian Archer was as much as a racial bigot as Captain Kirk"
-Burt Weed
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