Do bigger rims make a car slower?

[GinNBoost]

I tried searching but for some reason this error screen comes up...Anyway, I've heard that having anything above 17s is bad and slows the car down. Is that true? I have 18s on my FWD, is that bad? I was thinking of switching to 17s but then I'd have to get new tires also and possibly change my springs.

Would I just be better off sticking with my 18s or is the switch really that big of a difference?

 

[midnght]

It is not that big of a difference unless you have some heavy wheels. Many people say that (17's is the biggest).

I am NO scientist, but it has something to do with rotating mass. I would think it also has somthing to do with how far away from the center of the rim vs. the wieght being turned. Besides that, I would only think the other major difference is weight and that 17's can still retain some pretty light weight #'s. Try searching " rotating mass". I havent yet but will after I post this.

 

[midnght]

Here ya go... not really size but more about rotating mass...


Sums it up

 

[igs]

The rotating inertia of wheels is equivalent to 1.5 times its static weight. So if your wheels weighed 5 lbs more it's like adding 7.5 lbs to your car. If your wheels are 5 lbs lighter it's like losing 7.5 lbs.