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so i just put 19" rims on my 2k2 civic. But now my gas mileage is terrible. I know the rims are kind of heavy but I didn't think it would affect the gas mileage that much. Anyways I just wanted to know if that was normal or should i get something done about it. Thanx

 
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it's normal, also depends on what size tires you are using.... in other words, overall diameter.

 
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Yes the wheel size and weight can make a HUGE difference in fuel economy. Assuming you bought the average 19" wheel and didnt splurge for good quality light wheels then your rotating mass of JUST the wheel is prolly over 23 lbs. add that to a tire and you pushing prolly 45lbs give or take. Stock wheel and tire is approx 40lbs, difference = 20 lbs of new additional rotating mass. Not to mention the majority of the weight is now further from the center of the wheel than stock. You power and fuel economy will, ummmm .................................................. .................................................. ................................ SUCK!

The fix is buy smaller tires and wheels, or spend a small fortune on good quality wheels and tires

 
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thanx a lot guys

 
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also remember that a 19" rim doesnt turn nearly as many times as a 15" per mile. 19" rotates approx 554.1 times per mile and a 15 rotates 836.1 times per mile. So its possible you may be getting somewhat similar mileage but its just off along with the speedometer. The best thing to do is get on the highway and time yourself using the mile markers (obviously if your speedo says your goin 60 then a mile should take about 1 minute) for speed and also look at your odom and see how far it says between mile markers.

 
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Your advice sounds a little off.

You make it sound like he has no tires and rides on just the rims.
The overall diameter of a 15" and 19" wheel will be about the same with tires.

Its the rotational mass that kills the mpg.

 
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^^^ my bad, i was using a jacked up tire size. It depends on the size tire he is running on the 19s compared to the 15s.

 
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Im running 18" chrome rims (motegi MR-7s) which are known to be heavy....215-40-18 tires...

my gas "mileage" is still great....I get over 500 km on a tank...

 
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i lost maybe 3-5 mpg after bolting on the 19s...it wasnt that big of a deal for me since i drive about 95% highway

 
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ok stock is 15 diameter. plus 3-4 inches actual tire. 18-19. now, you got 19s and i'm guessin like 1 inch thick tire right? and they are wider also? more weight and more distance for one revolution of the tire would hurt mileage a little. when you say terrible what did you used to get and what are you getting now in mileage? just wondering. if you got like 16 rims or 17 rims with a 1inch tire your mileage should be ok.

 
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ok... i see all this talk about rotational mass and a difference in revolutions per mile with a plus size wheel, but isn't a fairly large contributor to fuel economy the tires rolling resistance? ie. a wider tire has more surface area in contact with the road thus more friction = more rolling resistance. that's why super econo-boxs roll around on tall, narrow tires.

i could be wrong (and probably am), but i just thought i'd throw that out there.