Ponyguy Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 Greetings, Gentlemen... I have a new to me 2019 Fusion Titanium Energie. It came from factory with 225/50x17 Michelin Energy Green X Tires, and the Ford specifications list no different wheel & tire optional sizes. Snooping at other Fusions, I noticed that many others come with 16" steelies on the Fusion "S", and 18" and even 19" and 20" wheels on fancier models... and tread width from 215 mm up to 245 mm. Given that the Energie (Plug-In edition) is the heaviest Fusion by far at nearly 4000 pounds, I wonder why it is equipped with one of the dinkiest of the tire selections; even the Titanium Hybrid (non-Plug-In) came with larger tires. Could it be that Ford is trying to minimize the rolling resistance with the narrow tread width? Or lightening the wheel? I'm curious... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalel33 Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 The taller the tire, the more impact it can handle. I have a 2019 Titanium and it has 19" wheels. You definitely notice if you hit a pothole, much more than any other car with smaller wheels but taller tires. They might have put them on there for comfort and it handles the extra weight better. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drolds1 Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 1 hour ago, Ponyguy said: Greetings, Gentlemen... I have a new to me 2019 Fusion Titanium Energie. It came from factory with 225/50x17 Michelin Energy Green X Tires, and the Ford specifications list no different wheel & tire optional sizes. Snooping at other Fusions, I noticed that many others come with 16" steelies on the Fusion "S", and 18" and even 19" and 20" wheels on fancier models... and tread width from 215 mm up to 245 mm. Given that the Energie (Plug-In edition) is the heaviest Fusion by far at nearly 4000 pounds, I wonder why it is equipped with one of the dinkiest of the tire selections; even the Titanium Hybrid (non-Plug-In) came with larger tires. Could it be that Ford is trying to minimize the rolling resistance with the narrow tread width? Or lightening the wheel? I'm curious... Probably both. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 11 hours ago, Ponyguy said: Greetings, Gentlemen... I have a new to me 2019 Fusion Titanium Energie. It came from factory with 225/50x17 Michelin Energy Green X Tires, and the Ford specifications list no different wheel & tire optional sizes. Snooping at other Fusions, I noticed that many others come with 16" steelies on the Fusion "S", and 18" and even 19" and 20" wheels on fancier models... and tread width from 215 mm up to 245 mm. Given that the Energie (Plug-In edition) is the heaviest Fusion by far at nearly 4000 pounds, I wonder why it is equipped with one of the dinkiest of the tire selections; even the Titanium Hybrid (non-Plug-In) came with larger tires. Could it be that Ford is trying to minimize the rolling resistance with the narrow tread width? Or lightening the wheel? I'm curious... Hi Ponyguy. Since it is a car designed to optimize fuel economy, Ford is minimizing rolling resistance with the narrower tread. And the lighter wheel does the same. As drolds stated. In addition, a taller sidewall can actually gives a higher load rating, when comparing apples to apples in a particular tire model. In any case, whatever the load rating is for the tires on the various Fusion models, you can be sure the load rating for the tires on your car are more than sufficient for the vehicle. Also, just as an FYI: The largest factory wheel on a Fusion is 19". No Fusion model comes factory equipped with 20" wheels. Hope this information helps and good luck. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ponyguy Posted March 27, 2020 Author Share Posted March 27, 2020 4 hours ago, bbf2530 said: Hi Ponyguy. Since it is a car designed to optimize fuel economy, Ford is minimizing rolling resistance with the narrower tread. And the lighter wheel does the same. As drolds stated. <snip> Also, just as an FYI: The largest factory wheel on a Fusion is 19". No Fusion model comes factory equipped with 20" wheels. Hope this information helps and good luck. Thanks Mr. BBF2530... I only mentioned the 20" wheel, because Tire Rack's website called it out as an option... along with the 18's and 19's... So, I consider myself schooled! My initial question was why Ford used the small tire & wheel on the most expensive, heaviest model of Fusion... it seemed incongruous to me... I'd have thought a more substantial tire and wheel would be the most appropriate for the most massive model. But, I suppose I can see why they'd spec a low rolling resistance tire & wheel for a vehicle intended for maximum "fuel" efficiency. Thanks for the information... and the conversation, of course. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 (edited) 34 minutes ago, Ponyguy said: Thanks Mr. BBF2530... I only mentioned the 20" wheel, because Tire Rack's website called it out as an option... along with the 18's and 19's... So, I consider myself schooled! My initial question was why Ford used the small tire & wheel on the most expensive, heaviest model of Fusion... it seemed incongruous to me... I'd have thought a more substantial tire and wheel would be the most appropriate for the most massive model. But, I suppose I can see why they'd spec a low rolling resistance tire & wheel for a vehicle intended for maximum "fuel" efficiency. Thanks for the information... and the conversation, of course. Hi Ponyguy. You are very welcome. However, I'm not sure my previous reply was clear. A larger wheel has nothing to do with how much weight a tire is rated to bear (Load rating). The tire construction determines load rating. And sidewall size is a big factor. In fact, a larger diameter wheel means a shorter sidewall ratio tire must be used in order to fit. And apples to apples that shorter sidewall tire will then have a lower load rating, unless it is constructed more stiffly, which then means a much more expensive tire. It is easier to look at it this way: Larger wheels are not an engineering necessity for heavier weight loads, they are a fashion statement. Also, think about large trucks and construction equipment. They use tires with very tall sidewalls. Not huge wheels with short sidewalls. A overly simplistic analogy, but still applicable. The Energie does not need a larger wheel or tire. A larger wheel would only lower mpg's and provide no other benefit for a model that is made for higher mpg's. And I understand your confusion about The Tire Rack, as I used it as a reference too. However, the tab you are referring to is simply stating that a 20" wheel will fit, not that it was a factory option. Have no fear though...the load rating on your Energie's tires is substantially high enough to handle the slightly heavier weigh of your car. Hope that makes everything a little more understandable. Good luck. Edited March 27, 2020 by bbf2530 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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