I'm going to buy a new car soon (2021 Camry SE) and I have a question about wheel size. I've learned that the larger the tire, the more weight and rolling resistance. I live in the country side but most of my driving is on the highway to work. The road surfaces are 50% smooth 50% bumpy. I want to have a MPG as high as possible. But larger rims tend to bend easier. What rim size do you think would fit my situation the best?
Thanks in advance!
Keep in mind the original tire size is 18''
I would leave it alone. You won't change your fuel economy significantly by changing rims.
I wouldn't risk messing up the driving dynamics of the vehicle.
Leave it on the same size it comes with.
Camry SE comes with P235/45R18 tire - 18 in. rim. This combination is good only for perfect roads. Alloy rims that come with this trie notoriously get damaged. Ride is very harsh. Handling very good on smooth roads. I, certainly, would not recommend this set up for a regular driving! Period.
Better combination is tire set from lesser Camry: P215/55R17 tire - 17 in. rim. This combination will fit SE perfectly. You will get smoother ride, slightly better economy. No failing rims. Very, very reasonable handling. Plus, tires will be a bit less expensive at replacement time. Also, tires will last longer!
Now, regular Camry comes with P205/65R16 tire - 16 in. rim. For economy, that one is the best. Handling is OK for most. But I’m not sure if that would fit SE. You would have to ask your dealer to see if that would fit, … but I wouldn’t go that far with "modifying" your future Camry SE.
F.S.
Oh, … one more item: strut towers! SE is not as bad as XSE (P235/40R19 tire - 19 in. rims!), but still, bad enough: … expect short life of upper strut mounts. Notorious problem with those, … and not covered by warranty! It all leads up to low profile tire, … short sidewall: you hit a pot hole semi-hard, bearing fails, often rim bends, and more often than not, tire sidewall is damaged, too!
Anyway, … consider yourself being warned!
F.S.