re: Why isn't fuel economy getting better? *Spinoff from Ecoboost thread*

quote:

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Those giant dumbass rims have a purpose half of the time. Big brakes require big rims

I have 20" rims from the factory. 13.5" rotors + 2 or 3" of calipers would require at a minimum 18" rims. The rotors and calipers wouldn't be able to cool down if they didn't have enough air circulation, so they have bigger rims.

Not many people think about that

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NO.
If anything, I think truck makers are encouraged to use them because bigger rims means less tire.
Less tire means less petroleum used to make a tire.

3/4 and 1 ton trucks need bigger brakes than a half ton, and they still used 17" maybe even 16".