Milage Difference with Steel vs Alloy...

Hello,

Introducing myself to the Tacoma World community. More info about myself and my dedication to Toyota Trucks on the New Member Thread. I will be hovering/ replying to the 4 Cylinder thread mostly from time to time.

The question I have is if I should spend the extra money to get a set of Factory Alloy rims for my 2013 Tacoma 4x4 AC auto SR5 (about $400 for all 4) or keep the steelies that came with my pickup. I am planning on putting 245/75r16 Wrangler Adventures on my wheels in the future. The Dunlops will last me another year or 2. Does anyone have info or a link to a thread with the exact weights of each Tacoma Alloy Wheel? Including the new 2016 Alloys? I think the new TRD Off Road Alloys would look great on my 2013 SR5 if I knew their weight. However, Im also a purist and should probably stick to the " So Common" 2005-2015 Off Road Alloy. Im not into the all new black Alloys. Not sure if I like the new 2016 SR5 alloys that come with the appearance package (unless they weigh the lest). And Ive never like the TRD Sport Alloys. Ive heard my steelies weigh the most. I am concerned about my MPG's as I travel from Northern Maine to CT almost every other month. You can say I am a true New Englander.

Some concerns:

1) Rust- Steel vs Alloy (New England Salt)
2) Weight- If I save about 5 Ibs per wheel Im bound to save a few MPS, Right?
3) Durability for pot holes- Ive heard Steel Wheels will hold up longer.
4) Price ranges for 2014/15 TRD Off Road Rims are considerably less than 2016's

Let me know what you think. Im open for all info and opening.

Happy Holidays from Aroostook County Northern Maine!!!

 

I have found that the milage was about the same with the steel wheels and aluminum. I think it's more dependent on the weight of the tire. Do get the aluminum for the summer, and keep the steelies for a good set of winter tires. Don't run the aluminum rims in the winter because road salt and aluminum will react and in a season or two the aluminum will look like crap.

 

Welcome to TW!!

Where are you getting factory alloys for '$100 per?

 

1) Use the steels for your dedicated winter tires, alloys for your 3 season tires. Just clean the steels and use a rust encapsulator for touch up at the end of each season. While the steels may rust, alloys will eventually pit/corrode, so I'd protect them first.

2) unlikely to note any MPG gain. And its the total weight of the wheel tire package that matters. Unsprung weight (wheel/tire) is never good, and excessive weight beyond the trucks design will impact suspension, ride, acceleration and stopping. But a net of 5 per corner is Miata territory, not Tacoma.

3) Maybe, particularly over aftermarket cast alloys. I doubt that OE wheels will have much issue.

 

I agree on the Winter rims to be steel.

I live in a snow/salt prone area; and the steel wheels get less damage, to the finish, than aluminum.

I always clean my hubs, where the wheel sets on the axle; and add a bit of oil. I have seen aluminum wheels "stick", to the hubs; rather strongly too. That salt is a killer.

and note: the steel wheels are cheaper to clean, and repaint; as opposed to resurfacing the clear on the aluminum finish. The salt get under the clear and really makes a mess of the aluminum

 

I have run both sets on my 2006 & 2013 4WD DC in Vermont.
No mpg loss or gain is recorded in my experience (at least 150k between both trucks)
The steelies had my winter tires & held up fine for 5 years on my 2006.
Right now I have OEM black alloy TRD rugged trail Baja wheels with my winters.
I make sure to give the wheels regular washing at the car wash when weather permits.
Welcome to TW

 

Hmmm. Looks like the steelies will stay on the truck since I use my Tacoma for half the year. The dry warm months are for the GTI. Fun and less gas.

Here are some picks of my Red Beauty.

Happy New Year!!!

 

Here is one more...

Mods:

Curt Tow Package
TRD Sticker for Back Window

 

Nice looking truck. Good choice based on how you use the vehicle.

Couple of thoughts..........

1) if this is primarily a winter vehicle, I'd get real winter tires. I mean why dink around with those Dunflop 3 seasons at the worst time of year?

2) I'd pull the wheels, clean them thoroughly and paint the insides with something like

http://www.monstaliner.com/monstaliner_how_to_stop_rust.htm in silver or gray. Or even the black. I'd put a heavy coat of wax on the outside, like Collinite Insulator wax.

3) when remounting, I'd put a bit of lub or antiseize on the hub faces where the wheels touch, just to try and prevent seizing. Cleaning the studs well, then applying a drop or two of motor oil or even trans fluid, will help keep the lugs free. Caution: Wipe the studs well with a clean rag after oiling and before installation. Too much lube can mess up proper torqueing. All you are trying to do here is have the studs clean and 'moisturized', not slippery.

Those little things will go a long way to keeping the wheels in great shape.

 

That's kind of funny...
The reason people use steel in the winter is NOT because of corrosion, but because they don't want to be doing tire seasonal swapping of tires. The steel rims are CHEAP, and ugly, and since everything is all covered in crud in the winter, no point in paying a huge amount for nicer looking rims.

Mine is in its 5th winter, rims are *like new*.
Old truck I still have, 1988 with aluminum rims... still looking pretty much like new.

STEEL is what you need to worry about in the winter. That stuff gets eaten by salt like nobody's business.

 

I don't know about mileage but here are some examples of both the steel and alloy wheels. Both in central Massachusetts salt belt.

The steelies are on a 2008 and are in their 9th winter. (140,000 miles)


The alloys are on a 2007 and are in their 10th winter. (170,000 miles)


Both trucks use these wheels full time since new. This gives an idea on how both types hold up in a snow/salt region.

I think both held up pretty good considering the location, number of winter years and mileage.

 

Clearwater Bill Thanks for the info!!!

 

Those Alloys look good for 10 winters. Any bubbling?

 

No bubbling. I can tell you that the older gentleman (late sixties) that owns that 2007 with the alloys, doesn't take any special care of them either. With more care I'm sure they'd look even better!

The steelies are on my 2008, V6, 4x4, SR5. I know they're getting a bit hammered and I'll probably be replacing them in the next year. No real special care either. Just regular washings. I'd like to get a set of the black TRD alloys or similar. I've been looking around for a set. No luck yet. In any case, I think my next set of wheels will be black. My truck is red also. I like the look of black wheels on a red truck!

 

If you 4x4 get rid of the steel rims they will pack up with mud in the summer and ice and snow in the winter.You can get aftermarket steel or aluminum rims Way prettier and will not pack up with mud.If you want stock I would use the alloys are way easier to wash out

 

suzuki vitara and chev tracker did a very similar steel wheels good off road vehicles. what a horrible wheel design though

 

Same here I got rid of my steelies because they pack up with mud due to the design. hard to clean out.
Got a set of 2014 alloys and am much happier. No difference on mpg that I noticed.

By the way look for load range C or "standard" load all terrains. much lighter.

Welcome yall to TW!

 

Nice My first post Happy wheeling

 

you are 100 percent right on the light I had a friend talk me into 35 x 15.5 on 12 inch billet aluminum rims on a 1982 That truck went far