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What's more efficient, RWD with 19"wheels, or AWD with 18"wheels?
- Thread starter Big1matt
- Start date
dhanson865
Well-Known Member
Jedi2155
Model 3 has Arrived.
I think RWD with 19s are more efficient but its going to be close and a toss up. Also depends on the speed.
Personally I'd go with 18" aeros with an AWD.
Now I don't think it will overtake a RWD with 19" in efficiency, but it's going to be so close that you won't notice.
I also think it's important not to put too much emphasis on it. It's pretty easy to modulate efficiency because it changes so much with speed, and whether you drive aggressively.
Now I don't think it will overtake a RWD with 19" in efficiency, but it's going to be so close that you won't notice.
I also think it's important not to put too much emphasis on it. It's pretty easy to modulate efficiency because it changes so much with speed, and whether you drive aggressively.
sreams
Member
You know what's more efficient than either of them? RWD with 18s.
Daniel in SD
(supervised)
AWD is about 10% less efficient on the highway and city.
I don’t think 18” aero wheels are going to make up for that.
Gas Mileage of 2018 Tesla Model 3
Funny how it says “gas mileage”. MPGe is such a stupid unit.
Based on 4 months with a RWD and 4 days with a AWD, I think the RWD with 19s will be more efficient than AWD with 18s.
With our RWD with 18s (aero covers taken off), we are averaging 240 wpm. The AWD with 18s (aero covers still on), we are at 280. Yes, the sample size is pretty small, but it's been similar type of driving. The RWD with 19s I would think would come in at 250-260 for us (4-8% hit).
With our RWD with 18s (aero covers taken off), we are averaging 240 wpm. The AWD with 18s (aero covers still on), we are at 280. Yes, the sample size is pretty small, but it's been similar type of driving. The RWD with 19s I would think would come in at 250-260 for us (4-8% hit).
Spending $60k on a car with wheels that belong to a $12k car... it’s something that I can’t really understand.
Another big argument against AWD IMO..
Also worth mentioning the fact that the overinflated base tires have performance specs that are very disappointing....
- 7 feet loss when stopping from 60 to 0.
- .05g loss on lateral acceleration
And that is when compared to the 19 inch stock tires which are all season. There is a dedicated video made by Edmunds on this for those interested.
Not saying that AWD is not worth it for those who live in areas where it snows a lot though... the question is: it is worth it for the rest of us?
Another big argument against AWD IMO..
Also worth mentioning the fact that the overinflated base tires have performance specs that are very disappointing....
- 7 feet loss when stopping from 60 to 0.
- .05g loss on lateral acceleration
And that is when compared to the 19 inch stock tires which are all season. There is a dedicated video made by Edmunds on this for those interested.
Not saying that AWD is not worth it for those who live in areas where it snows a lot though... the question is: it is worth it for the rest of us?
There is little to no difference in performance (acceleration, stopping distance) between the Tesla 18” and 19” wheels. The difference is the tires. The 19” wheel package includes better all season tires than the stock 18” configuration. For about $1000, can purchase better all season tires for your 18” wheels than Tesla includes with the 19” wheels.
18” summer tires will crush the performance of Tesla’s 19” all season tires so long as the outdoor temperature is above 50 degrees.
18” summer tires will crush the performance of Tesla’s 19” all season tires so long as the outdoor temperature is above 50 degrees.
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All I can say after owning the RWD car with the sport wheels is I believe the 10 percent efficiency loss is accurate. I would think it’s the same with AWD... judging that you are from Vermont maybe you could use those 18 inch wheels and stock tires for the winter... and order a nice set of wheels with performance tires for the rest of the rest of the time...
I.e. I think you are making a good call by ordering the base wheels... my 2 cents.
Not disagreeing with your post. Never said bigger wheels did. I just compared specs of the stock base vs sport wheels/tires. My main point is OP was talking about efficiency.. so I assumed that replacing those stock 18 inch tires with performance tires would take a noticeable hit on range as well!
My decision to purchase the upgraded wheels was motivated by:
- looks (I don’t like the Aeros look and I don’t like the base wheels without the cover either)
- performance gains
- going third party was out of option cuz:
1/ laziness (I don’t want to waste my time on eBay trying to sell something).. I have a bunch of surfboards hanging in my garage for years... likely those base wheels would have ended in my backyard.
2/ I would rather give my money to Tesla than aftermarket tumers that have been ripping off people selling them $100 set of screws to improve the look of their wheels without the cover.. i have some ethics issues with those guys.. not to mention they don’t manufacture anything in the US but that is a separate topic
Not to mention I live in SoCal
Perry
Active Member
From what I hear the dual motor version losses about 20-30 miles per full charge and I think the 19" over the 18" don't loose that much.
Daniel in SD
(supervised)
Plenty of aftermarket options for wheels. The 18” wheels and tires are designed for efficiency. I’m going to get some wider wheels with summer tires for driving around town and keep the stock wheels for road trips and snow.
AWD is a huge advantage in CA because with 2WD you are required to put on chains if there’s even a dusting of snow on the ground.
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