DIY: 2" Lift Kit for Under $40 - EASY!

[GlowBugTDI]

I know I’m reviving a very old thread for the most part. But I do have a question for the ones who lifted and put bigger tires. How much did you suffer on fuel economy? Just curious as I’m interested in going the same route.

Negligible, 2-3 mpg maybe.

 

[Nuje]

Keep in mind, too, that bigger tires mean that the car is covering "x" miles while the odometer is only registering "x minus whatever percentage larger your tire circumference is".

So, if you have 3% larger tires, you could travel 500miles according to GPS on 10gal of fuel (50mpg), but your car would only register that you drove 485miles (48.5mpg).

 

[Lead_Sled]

Thanks for that shared info. I’ve done quite a few lifted trucks in the past and went through trial and error on drive/driven gears to compensate for the difference. Also changed rear end gears to get compensation for the larger tires and to correct the speedometer that way too. But all-in-all, I know that larger tires takes more power to turn.

But if only 2-3 mpg, I can live with that. I just deleted, so went from 42mpg roughly to 48-50mpg. So, 45-48mpg still. Not bad.

I’m exporting my car to Central America and for the most part, the roads are good. But there’s the occasional rough road that I’m afraid of. Already installed a skid plate.

I wonder if there’s an option in VCDS that would allow a percentage or input for new tire size.

 

[GlowBugTDI]

Keep in mind, too, that bigger tires mean that the car is covering "x" miles while the odometer is only registering "x minus whatever percentage larger your tire circumference is".

So, if you have 3% larger tires, you could travel 500miles according to GPS on 10gal of fuel (50mpg), but your car would only register that you drove 485miles (48.5mpg).

Partly because of this I have opted for stock ride height with oversized tires. Looks great and further travel when the gauge shows the same/similar mpg.

 

[GlowBugTDI]

Thanks for that shared info. I’ve done quite a few lifted trucks in the past and went through trial and error on drive/driven gears to compensate for the difference. Also changed rear end gears to get compensation for the larger tires and to correct the speedometer that way too. But all-in-all, I know that larger tires takes more power to turn.

But if only 2-3 mpg, I can live with that. I just deleted, so went from 42mpg roughly to 48-50mpg. So, 45-48mpg still. Not bad.

I’m exporting my car to Central America and for the most part, the roads are good. But there’s the occasional rough road that I’m afraid of. Already installed a skid plate.

I wonder if there’s an option in VCDS that would allow a percentage or input for new tire size.

In my experience I actually saw an increase in mpg (if i kept my foot out of it) with larger tires but stock ride height. The diesel handles it well so you honestly can't tell the size difference unless you go large enough. If you have to cut or bend the body to fit them you'll probably notice a rolling resistance difference.

 

[Lead_Sled]

Which size tire did you go with?

 

[GlowBugTDI]

Which size tire did you go with?

215/65/16. About as large as you can go without spacers or cutting the body. Could go slightly wider eith spacers, but then it may rub on the fender. I have mine in a beetle.

 

[Nuje]

I bought some second-hand winter tires a few years ago that were "close enough" in my mind at 205-60-16. Turns out I much prefer that tire size - fills out the wheel wells better IMO.

 

[Lead_Sled]

The 225/65/16 is exactly what I’m shooting for, but with the lift. I’ve driven the roads in Central America for almost 20 years. A stock height car is limited to where you can/can’t go. With the extra height, I think I’ll be free to go just about anywhere, except off-road where a pickup is needed.

Did you go with all terrain tires or just normal touring tires?

I understand the winter tires for the guys up north. I once had to travel in the Dallas area after a freak snowstorm. Ended up damaging a wire harness under the car due to it dragging in the ruts.