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New Conti tires with Cruze Eco wheels

1208 Views 29 Replies 9 Participants Last post by brichard, 11 d ago

dmo94556

Discussion Starter · 19 d ago (Edited)

I'm the second owner of 2020 EV LT1 up back in February with 71k miles. Yesterday I replaced the OEM Michelin Energy Saver A/S with Self Seal with 74k miles. From lots of research I chose Continental Purecontact LS at same spec 215-50R-17. Then, I mated them to some Cruze Eco wheels that I found in grade A condition. Finally, I chose some Dorman 711-355D Blue Spline Drive Lock Set M12-1.50, 20 Pack.

Form those interested in the weight comparison
Tires: Contis are 21 lbs and Energy Savers with Selfseal (stock) were 23 lbs. See Tire Rack comparison below.
Wheels: Cruze Eco wheels are about 6 lbs less each (several threads on this topic in this forum).
Bolts: Stock bolts are 2 ozs vs Dorman 1 1/4 ozs
TPMS: Kept the stock ones from the LT1 setup. However, the TPMS reset is still an issue and I have to go back to America's Tire to try again.

Wheel size comparison:
LT1: 17 x 6.5 ET 44/5
Eco: 17 x 7 ET 42

Observation thus far is the steering has a lighter feel and road noise is less. The wheel setup appears nominally wider without having wheel poke.

NET: Each corner has a reduced unsprung weight of about 8 1/2 lbs, or 34 lbs combined.

Long-term test will determine how much a change of tire may impact range, if any.

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jefro

· #2 · 19 d ago (Edited)

Thanks. What years wheels just to add?
Keep this updated on range change please.

dmo94556

Discussion Starter · #3 · 19 d ago

jefro said:
Thanks. What years wheels just to add?
Keep this updated on range change please.

If you search eBay "2011-2016 chevy cruze ltd wheels rtn 15 spoke" you'll find quite a bit.

Too early to tell since I just put them on yesterday.

jefro

· #4 · 19 d ago

Thanks. Volt owners said 10-15% loss range but every other tire metric perfect. Unknown if Conti improved or tire size specific issue.

Reactions: 1

dmo94556

Discussion Starter · #5 · 19 d ago

jefro said:
Thanks. Volt owners said 10-15% loss range but every other tire metric perfect. Unknown if Conti improved or tire size specific issue.

Yea, I saw posts about the Conti's including the video reviews. What is different in my setup is the change to the Eco wheels. The Bolt is already 231 lbs less sprung weight vs the Volt. Now add the modest reduction in unsprung weight. Time will tell how this will perform. My baseline comparison is average 4.2 kWh since ownership and I drive in L 100% of the time.

Reactions: 2

Packard V8

· #6 · 19 d ago

Yes, the reduction in unsprung weight is definitely noticeable and worth the cost.
Yes, any mass, whether sprung, unsprung, fixed or rotating, requires energy to accelerate, but the 34# reduction is so small, it will be lost in the other variables.
Yes, the Contis have more rolling resistance than the OEM Michelins. We've seen anecdotal posts from 4% to 11%. You seem well-equipped and motivated to document your findings. What accounts for the variation furnished by others is the data is only from their route and driving habits. Speed differentials alone can result in more than 7% variation. (Refer to the ridiculous Brazil 560-mile range at 21 MPH.)

We await your findings.

jack vines, who's got a set of Cruze Eco wheels on deck.

Reactions: 2

dmo94556

Discussion Starter · #7 · 19 d ago (Edited)

Packard V8 said:
Yes, the reduction in unsprung weight is definitely noticeable and worth the cost.
Yes, any mass, whether sprung, unsprung, fixed or rotating, requires energy to accelerate, but the 34# reduction is so small, it will be lost in the other variables.
Yes, the Contis have more rolling resistance than the OEM Michelins. We've seen anecdotal posts from 4% to 11%. You seem well-equipped and motivated to document your findings. What accounts for the variation furnished by others is the data is only from their route and driving habits. Speed differentials alone can result in more than 7% variation. (Refer to the ridiculous Brazil 560-mile range at 21 MPH.)

We await your findings.

jack vines, who's got a set of Cruze Eco wheels on deck.

I looked at a lot of tires and comparison. A few other observations comparing the stock tire and Conti

Revolutions Per Min are near identical which was a rarity comparing other tires. My interpretation for why that may matter is impact on range.
The Conti's start out as 10/32 while stock is 8/32, so less rubber and less resistance, and vice versa.
UTOG is 700 for Conti while stock is 480

At the time of the decision I saw the Conti is as good if not better than stock AND is less $ AND has longer wear life. The impact on range with the modest changes is up in the air but it's a fun experiment.

FWIW, this was a great video comparing the two

Reactions: 2

SpicyBolt

· #8 · 19 d ago

As one who also has Eco wheels on deck, from my Eco no less, I await your findings too.

The Cruze Eco now rides on the 2018 Volt Premier wheels, which are all that I have left from that car. Our Volt was totaled with the snow tire wheels on it, back in April of 2021, which brought us to the world of Bolts.

Tire Wheel Automotive tire Vehicle Motor vehicle

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dmo94556

Discussion Starter · #9 · 19 d ago

SpicyBolt said:
As one who also has Eco wheels on deck, from my Eco no less, I await your findings too.

The Cruze Eco now rides on the 2018 Volt Premier wheels, which are all that I have left from that car. Our Volt was totaled with the snow tire wheels on it, back in April of 2021, which brought us to the world of Bolts.
View attachment 56133

Your rims look even cleaner than mine. Hard to find in pristine condition.

Will keep you posted!

Reactions: 1

jefro

· #10 · 19 d ago

dmo94556 said:
UTOG

The letters after the 700 are important.... The 480 letters are bad.

Reactions: 1

dmo94556

Discussion Starter · #11 · 19 d ago

jefro said:
The letters after the 700 are important.... The 480 letters are bad.

Indeed they are

SpicyBolt

· #12 · 19 d ago

dmo94556 said:
Your rims look even cleaner than mine. Hard to find in pristine condition.

Will keep you posted!

I do have a bit of self inflicted curb rash on one, and a bit of corrosion in a few spots. I need to figure out the best way to polish up the imperfections and add clear coat to those spots. No paint on these Alcoa forged aluminum wheels, just polished and clear coated.

I used snow tires on separate rims every winter since I got my Eco back in 2011, so that really helped. Now, I drive the car so little that I'm running CrossClimate 2s all year around on our totaled Volt Premier rims. That's why I pulled these Eco rims off and put them in storage until I get around to using them on our EUV.

The snow tire wheels that I used on my Eco, now get used on our EUV. The Eco rims will never see a Minnesota winter as long as I own them. It's nice to have cars with interchangeable wheels.

It will be interesting to see your results!

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Reactions: 1

pitaji445

· #13 · 19 d ago

i was wondering, does the Bolt EUV tire size of 215/50/R17 fit on a Chevy Cruze 17 inch Eco wheel?
because i already bought the Kumho 215/50/R17 recommended by the tire shop.
I want to buy the 17inch eco wheels and put the tire size recommended for Bolt EUV 2023, 215/50/R17 or do i have to put a tire size for eco wheel of 225/45/R17 ?
Did anyone try this combination and does it work

jefro

· #14 · 19 d ago

If I understand your question I think you need two things here. One is if the actual outside diameter is close and two what the tire maker's rim size limits are. Many of the tire shops have Plus or Minus size calculators.

Reactions: 1

Eiron

· #15 · 18 d ago

dmo94556 said:
...
NET: Each corner has a reduced unsprung weight of about 8 1/2 lbs, or 34 lbs combined.

Long-term test will determine how much a change of tire may impact range, if any.

It might depend on the type of driving you do to establish your range impact. Lightening the wheels and tires will probably have a greater impact on range if you're doing mostly stop-n-go city driving, where you're constantly having to spin up and slow down the reduced mass.

I plan on doing something similar this summer, also with Conti tires. Did your tire model come with ContiSeal?

Packard V8

· #16 · 18 d ago

pitaji445 said:
i was wondering, does the Bolt EUV tire size of 215/50/R17 fit on a Chevy Cruze 17 inch Eco wheel?
because i already bought the Kumho 215/50/R17 recommended by the tire shop.
I want to buy the 17inch eco wheels and put the tire size recommended for Bolt EUV 2023, 215/50/R17 or do i have to put a tire size for eco wheel of 225/45/R17 ?
Did anyone try this combination and does it work

Either size tire fits either wheel. The Bolt is so tight under the front fenders, whether a given combination of tire size and wheel offset will clear in all situations can only be answered by one who has successfully tried it.

jack vines

dmo94556

Discussion Starter · #17 · 18 d ago

Eiron said:
It might depend on the type of driving you do to establish your range impact. Lightening the wheels and tires will probably have a greater impact on range if you're doing mostly stop-n-go city driving, where you're constantly having to spin up and slow down the reduced mass.

I plan on doing something similar this summer, also with Conti tires. Did your tire model come with ContiSeal?

I'm not certain about that. My research was Tire Rack and company sites like Continental, and then forums/fb groups for feedback. Nowhere did I see mention of that but I do know EcoPlus Technology is noted in the sidewall. You can zoom in on pic #2 to see all the detail.

dmo94556

Discussion Starter · #18 · 18 d ago

Packard V8 said:
Either size tire fits either wheel. The Bolt is so tight under the front fenders, whether a given combination of tire size and wheel offset will clear in all situations can only be answered by one who has successfully tried it.

jack vines

I always check tire and wheel combos with this tool Alloy Wheel & Tyre Fitment Calculator. Offset, Tyre Stretch and Speedo Error | Will They Fit. Simply put, enter existing spec and desired and it will show you where the wheel will sit w/r/t the inner shock and and how far outboard (aka wheel poke).

dmo94556

Discussion Starter · #19 · 18 d ago

jefro said:
If I understand your question I think you need two things here. One is if the actual outside diameter is close and two what the tire maker's rim size limits are. Many of the tire shops have Plus or Minus size calculators.

Correct the do, as does Alloy Wheel & Tyre Fitment Calculator. Offset, Tyre Stretch and Speedo Error | Will They Fit. I confirmed my setup with Tire Rack online and in store at America's Tire (same company since Discount Tire bought Tire Rack).

jefro

· #20 · 18 d ago

Sorry, I meant that reply to
pitaji445

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