For my 19x8.5 rims, tough choice given all the info and looking at the side by side data below. They are both near identical to where I don't think it'll make any noticeable difference when it comes to efficiency? The only areas where it really stands out are with the circumference (1 inch diff) and maybe the width?
Although the difference is small with the side wall I do prefer the 3.7" of the 235/40 vs the 3.9" of the 245/40, however, I doubt it will be noticeable. Or would it?
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As for the dedicated winter wheel/tire set up, I'll try to pick up some cheap 18x8.5 rims and go with the 245/45R18 set up. I also agree, chains suck and I try to use the cables instead, which are much easier and work enough to get through even heavy snow.
I was also curious about load rating on wheels. One of the reasons why I was going with the 19x8.5 size was due to the higher load rating that it had vs the 20x8.5 wheels.
20" & 19" wheels from Martian -- Load Rating of: 2,200 lbs (Forged)
20" from TS ----------------------- Load Rating of: 1,433 lbs
19" from TS ----------------------- Load Rating of: 1,980 lbs
If I understand this correctly, each wheel can handle the load rated amount specified respectively.
So using the example of the 20" wheels from TS with a load rating of only 1,433 lbs, since the Model 3 weights ~4,100 lbs, what happens when you fly over an uneven road and one of the front wheels lands first with all that force? Wouldn't that mean that all the ~4,100 lbs for a moment is all on that one wheel that is rated at 1,433 lbs? Perhaps this is an extreme example...
How about driving at 70MPH and hitting a pot hole. Before hitting the pot hole each of the four wheels has 1,075 lbs on it (4,300 lbs / 4; ~200lbs driver included). Factoring in the inertia from the car and the one front wheel hitting that pot hole, that would exceed the load rating by a lot correct? This would likely result in a popped tire and broken rim.
With the 20" TS rim and only having a rating of 1,433 lbs, isn't that much too low? Say if I had 4 adults each weighing exactly 200 lbs, that would mean 4,900 lbs total / 4 of those rims = 1,225 lbs on each wheel that's only rated at 1,433 lbs, leaving only a 208 lbs buffer. That just seems way too low and living on the edge there. Thoughts?
I guess one can't expect much from cheaper rims. On the flip side those Martian 20s and 19s both being rated at 2,200 lbs is quite impressive. Forged goodness.
With all that said, I really wanted to go with a 20" rim, the TS 1,433 lbs one to be exact, but that low rating didn't sit well with me. I would use the 20s for the summer then get the 18s for winter.
Is there something that I'm missing here or is that 1,433 lbs way too low? Should be fine for summer mode and cruising? If so, I may go back to considering the 20" TS rims as I much prefer the looks of those over the 19s.
Decisions Decisions.