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MPG increases via new wheel design from manufacturer

GasBuddy Blog -- Just when you thought you'd heard it all: car part manufacturers are now looking for weight savings in wheel design- heck- they're looking for weight savings where ever that may be!

According to an MLive.com article, Lacks Wheel Trim Systems LLC has developed a new lightweight automotive wheel that can improve fuel mileage.

Lacks executives said their tests show the wheel, which will be manufactured at Lacks’ factory in Kentwood, can improve gas mileage by 1.1 miles per gallon on the highway and .4 miles per gallon in city driving.

“The Lacks eVOLVE wheel technology provides a direct answer to helping automakers meet increasingly stringent federal fuel efficiency standards,” said James Ardern, director of...

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Submitted Dec 06, 2012 By: PD

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RicanChief Rookie Author Virginia Beach Posts:18 Points:1,390 Joined:Dec 2012	Message Posted: Dec 15, 2012 9:47:36 AM Ignore RicanChief Report Abuse Nah, I don't believe it...this is more manufacturer BS...even if it is true the tire will cost a heck of a lot more than ordinary tires...you'll never recover the cost difference.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,599 Points:1,607,570 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 13, 2012 3:57:11 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse ROI isn't worth it for me. Drive more thoughtful and keep tires properly inflated, along w/ keeping junk weight out of the vehicle gets more than 1.1 mpg highway extra.
novarce Sophomore Author Orlando Posts:159 Points:108,755 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Dec 10, 2012 10:37:11 PM Ignore novarce Report Abuse ok
SkooterG Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,359 Points:328,585 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Dec 10, 2012 12:06:57 AM Ignore SkooterG Report Abuse Really? Not sure I am buying those claims.
doghaulr Rookie Author Denver Posts:62 Points:17,605 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2012 7:42:20 PM Ignore doghaulr Report Abuse take 18 pounds off your butt and see what it does, increases 'your' power, and gives you better performance, so cutting 18#'s in wheels would help mpg
BIGALRPH Veteran Author St. Louis Posts:418 Points:145,365 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2012 12:29:29 PM Ignore BIGALRPH Report Abuse Properly inflated tires are must first. A lighter wheel will add to the overall gain in your MPG. I want to know that not being a solid aluminum alloy will there be a cost savings to the consumer? Will the metal composite resist damage from a winter pothole? I have a boat that I purchased Composite propellers over 10 years ago. I love them, they are forgiving to things when something hits your propeller in the water. This new technology might turn out to be really good in the long run. I guess we will have to wait and see.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,599 Points:1,607,570 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2012 5:54:26 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse Bill: I agree, well inflated tires already give an overall good mileage.
Bill8177 All-Star Author Tampa Posts:585 Points:841,205 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Dec 8, 2012 1:49:40 PM Ignore Bill8177 Report Abuse I can increase my MPG by increasing the air from 35 p/im To 34 it increases some 1.4 in city driving I'll look into these tires.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,599 Points:1,607,570 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 8, 2012 3:41:23 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse 1.1 mpg change? Hmmm... not sure my ROI would be even hitting zero, more likely it'll stay in the negatives...
my2002m Champion Author Tulsa Posts:6,064 Points:1,668,350 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 6:34:57 PM Ignore my2002m Report Abuse Will have to evaluate whether the cost outweighs the benefits.
Dennisjk Champion Author Detroit Posts:6,476 Points:1,923,500 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 4:02:01 PM Ignore Dennisjk Report Abuse Doesn't sound economical.
spiderjay Champion Author Little Rock Posts:4,773 Points:1,282,235 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 3:02:31 PM Ignore spiderjay Report Abuse no way??
CDMAuto Champion Author Connecticut Posts:3,783 Points:751,965 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 2:06:24 PM Ignore CDMAuto Report Abuse not a great savings if used on a car that gets 35 miles per gal... Do not think you will recover the increased cost paid for the tire during its usefull life time.
Bearworld Rookie Author Dallas Posts:77 Points:182,700 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 12:58:21 PM Ignore Bearworld Report Abuse heard this yesterday.
Alfied Champion Author Riverside Posts:7,930 Points:1,754,310 Joined:Jun 2001	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 12:56:17 PM Ignore Alfied Report Abuse Make believe.
bell05 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,245 Points:1,874,660 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 12:34:00 PM Ignore bell05 Report Abuse I don't buy this.
MAC48 Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,546 Points:764,970 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 12:26:46 PM Ignore MAC48 Report Abuse If Lacks new wheel design is as durable, safe and sells at or very near the cost of current OEM wheels, then dropping 18 pounds of weight per vehicle is a good thing. It matters not if one is driving a tiny car or a 1 ton dully 4x4 pickup because a drop of 18 pounds or 20.5, if you have a full size spare, in vehicle weight transported will make any vehicle more efficient in terms of fuel cost per mile driven.
Soglaos Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:2,770 Points:736,485 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 12:20:43 PM Ignore Soglaos Report Abuse Only have to look to Bonnieville Salt Flats for the best design. Make them light weight you have some marginal improvement. Most of this hipe. they want you to believe the savings is there just not to high levels they are claiming
CORKYWC All-Star Author Chicago Posts:548 Points:2,115,410 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 12:14:18 PM Ignore CORKYWC Report Abuse OK
LtRTH Champion Author St. Louis Posts:1,767 Points:583,095 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 12:10:48 PM Ignore LtRTH Report Abuse Said it yesterady and will say it again. Are the mpg figures really accurate? Lately that seems to be a problem.
bouncing4fun All-Star Author Sacramento Posts:587 Points:144,990 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 12:10:41 PM Ignore bouncing4fun Report Abuse No thanks
furiousfowl Champion Author Riverside Posts:16,845 Points:2,747,230 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 12:07:40 PM Ignore furiousfowl Report Abuse Interesting
GrumpaAB Sophomore Author Edmonton Posts:148 Points:33,900 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 12:03:51 PM Ignore GrumpaAB Report Abuse The cost of each wheel is ? and the savings in fuel seems pretty minimal. How about the engineers take a second look at all the pollution controls and see if they can't find a better way to reduce emissions other than through the complex and expensive methods they now recommend.
julius1st4 Champion Author Ontario Posts:4,198 Points:1,190,050 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:59:47 AM Ignore julius1st4 Report Abuse Lacks eVOLVE had better be right on their gas mileage improvement[ of 1.1 &0.4 mpg].. We definately need more data to believe this. Are the numbers just lab theories or did they test this in the real world??
blitzntj Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:4,669 Points:942,130 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:59:28 AM Ignore blitzntj Report Abuse rerun
Lizzylou Champion Author Stockton Posts:8,818 Points:2,357,285 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:59:13 AM Ignore Lizzylou Report Abuse OLD NEWS
jodybull All-Star Author El Paso Posts:767 Points:140,880 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:59:10 AM Ignore jodybull Report Abuse What about safety, durability, and traction? Doing away with spare tires is nothing new!
littlebigboy Veteran Author South Dakota Posts:392 Points:1,375,890 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:58:45 AM Ignore littlebigboy Report Abuse strength????
nskmda Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,275 Points:786,105 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:58:13 AM Ignore nskmda Report Abuse doesn't look too much promising... unless those wheels are cheaper as well...
Nickel2005 All-Star Author Ontario Posts:818 Points:1,046,690 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:52:42 AM Ignore Nickel2005 Report Abuse OK
esquared Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:8,057 Points:1,968,160 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:51:45 AM Ignore esquared Report Abuse UmHmmm
HoosierDaddyKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,262 Points:295,210 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:50:17 AM Ignore HoosierDaddyKY Report Abuse We shall see...
Bud122CA Champion Author California Posts:7,461 Points:1,604,125 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:49:53 AM Ignore Bud122CA Report Abuse Seems a lot more research is needed. Safety is the first thing I think of.
midnightsdc Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,294 Points:1,482,340 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:49:16 AM Ignore midnightsdc Report Abuse They probably bend easier when you hit a pothole.
dad2two Champion Author Dallas Posts:3,533 Points:748,445 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:46:09 AM Ignore dad2two Report Abuse I commented on this yesterday.
wdcutter All-Star Author Lansing Posts:633 Points:54,225 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:45:54 AM Ignore wdcutter Report Abuse How many more miles will the lack of a spare tire get you?
Kawibiker Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,165 Points:203,400 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:45:30 AM Ignore Kawibiker Report Abuse ok
kelly1016 Champion Author Victoria Posts:1,953 Points:352,940 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:44:49 AM Ignore kelly1016 Report Abuse Old news
sydb7 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,550 Points:1,917,990 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:42:53 AM Ignore sydb7 Report Abuse Ok. Just so long as the wheels don't come off while you are driving at a high speed!
Remotecontrol Sophomore Author Ottawa Posts:175 Points:78,760 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:42:46 AM Ignore Remotecontrol Report Abuse Custom builders have been doing this for years and not only wheels. As usual it takes a govenrment demand for the automakers to catch up.
smoketown Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:6,226 Points:1,380,900 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:42:20 AM Ignore smoketown Report Abuse Remember, Pearl Harbor DAY is today !!
waynemustang Champion Author Indiana Posts:6,367 Points:1,663,835 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:38:44 AM Ignore waynemustang Report Abuse All else being equal, lighter wheels are better, but all else is not equal.
IMLURCH Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,174 Points:1,101,230 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:38:07 AM Ignore IMLURCH Report Abuse This is an old story. All news stories should only be in the Top 5 Recent News for 1 day.
bridgerunner Champion Author Virginia Posts:4,777 Points:1,004,885 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:37:08 AM Ignore bridgerunner Report Abuse Reinventing the wheel... ;-) I'm guessing their results are "over inflated" -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Excellent replies!!!
splitrman Champion Author Victoria Posts:1,310 Points:314,590 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:36:05 AM Ignore splitrman Report Abuse I'm guessing their results are "over inflated"
AmericaSL Veteran Author Utah Posts:311 Points:1,501,345 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:31:20 AM Ignore AmericaSL Report Abuse Reinventing the wheel... ;-)
Hugo40 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:7,619 Points:1,616,030 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:26:26 AM Ignore Hugo40 Report Abuse Old news.
HA4CNN Champion Author Toronto Posts:5,614 Points:1,541,440 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:23:19 AM Ignore HA4CNN Report Abuse Every little bit helps so long as it does not increase the price of the over all vehichle.
gaseye2010 Champion Author Maine Posts:1,161 Points:246,665 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:20:54 AM Ignore gaseye2010 Report Abuse As long as they stand up.
eagle_scout Champion Author St. Louis Posts:7,680 Points:1,514,075 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Dec 7, 2012 11:20:00 AM Ignore eagle_scout Report Abuse Get savings where ever you can.