06 Hybrid wheels

[itsmad]

Has anyone changed the wheels of or seen the Hybrid with wheels other than the factory fitted ones?

I currently drive the '03 Civic IMA (UK model) and ordered the '06 Hybrid a couple of days ago in Galaxy Grey with full leather interior and 16" 7 spoke alloys to replace the factory fitted ones.

With the change of wheels I assume it's going to look similar to US Civic sedan?

I understand why Honda have designed the wheels on the '06 model the way they have however I am not so keen on them.

Thanks

[8thgenuser]

US Civic sedan alloys are 5 spoked 16".

[letsgoflyers81]

I haven't seen a Civic Hybrid with anything other than factory wheels. The North American HCH comes with 15 inch alloys that look like dinner plates. I don't care for them at all but supposedly they help with aerodynamics and therefore, help fuel efficiency. My wife has the HCH and she doesn't mind them so we haven't looked into changing them.

[8thgenuser]

Here's a Civic hybrid that doesn't have factory rims:

http://civictour.honda.com/gallery/index.aspx?album=The+Black+Eyed+Peas'+Custom+Civic +Hybrid#TheBlackEy

[TerrierMom]

I have a 2006 Civic Hybrid. Didn't like the wheels at first, but they grow on you.

[CameronJr9]

I don't have a hybrid, but I do have a car that looks a lot like one. Here's a crappy shot of it with the EX wheels and a decent shot of the Si wheels.

Cameron's Silver Sedan (Silvea)

[06 Honda Civic EX]

the 06 Hybrid wheels are the ugliest thing EVER, its like a piece of metal with little holes cut out of it put on a tire


Why would Honda do such a thing, it being Hybrid isn't bad enough?
no offense hybrid lovers, helping the earth is awesome

[OblivionJin]

Originally Posted by 06 Honda Civic EX

the 06 Hybrid wheels are the ugliest thing EVER, its like a piece of metal with little holes cut out of it put on a tire


Why would Honda do such a thing, it being Hybrid isn't bad enough?
no offense hybrid lovers, helping the earth is awesome

lol, I wonder how many people actually buy the hybrid because they care about the earth.

[letsgoflyers81]

Originally Posted by OblivionJin

lol, I wonder how many people actually buy the hybrid because they care about the earth.

My wife did. Even with gas prices and the way they are and with the federal tax credit for buying a hybrid, it still takes a while to recover the extra money spent on a hybrid. My wife didn't get it to save money on gas, she got it to use less gas, ie. oil, and because it's rated as an AT-PZEV so the exhaust is extremely clean. But I married a Canadian so what do you expect? They're all hippies in Canuckistan.

[exbauer]

Well from what people say they made to them cut down on drag and such. that is why the surface is so big. Also they are light weight. I am looking into changing them out. but, want to get somethign light weight so my mpg doesn't change too much.

i got the hybrid to save on gas since my commute is a long one.

[joflewbyu2]

wheel and tire combo weigh 34 LBS. each on my digital scale. i put these on my 06 LX sedan which originally had 16" steelies that weighed in at 42.5 LBS. each with the hubcap. that is a 8.5 lb savings at each corner of unsprung weight that increases acceleration and response. I heard EX alloy and tire combo weigh 45 lbs each - i have not confirmed this thou. Honda does not recommend 16" alloy EX or accessory wheels for the Hybrid. My guess is weight might reduce acceleration. the hybrid wheels are made to be aerodynamically low drag and superlight weight.

[1493cc]

I actually love the Hybrid wheels.

[s2ktaxi]

The closest OEM wheel in 16" in terms of weight to the Hybrid wheel are the ones from the 02-03 Acura RSX. The 5 spoke 16" weigh about 36 lbs compared to the 33.5 for the stock Hybrid 15". Even the S2000's front wheel that's the same size as the RSX wheel/tire combo weigh 36.5 lbs. Another option is the JDM S2000 6 spoke BBS wheel which comes in at 33 lbs with the OEM tire but the center bore is too large for the HCH.

[jdm8thgen]

um no if u build the hybrid there are optional 16" wheels. they are silver versions of the hfp wheels offered for hybrid/DX/LX. now u loose aerodynamic effeciency when you get a wheel that causes more drag. it raises Cd.

[joflewbyu2]

there are no hybrid accessory wheel available as Honda does not recommend changing wheels on the hybrid due to weight, width and larger circumference taking away power and fuel efficiency due to more leverage needed even if the weight stayed the same or was a little less. SURE, many other honda/Acura wheels fit.

[s2ktaxi]

A 15" x 5.5" Volk CE28n weighs about 7.7 lbs (about 6 lbs lighter than stock!) though I'm not sure what the aerodynamic effect is considering the # of spokes of that design.

[itsmad]

Original wheels I chose were those as shown by jdm8thgen above. Honda however would not ship them from Belgium into Honda UK. I ended up with 16" 5 split spoke charcoal grey alloys. Look good against galaxy grey body IMHO.

I am well aware that there are many people that disagree with modifying the car in any way and that's fine. I now have the Hybrid that I want, gives me low CO2, lower mpg than previous model IMA I had even if I loose out after modifying and I get to support the technology.

Pics of car with wheels fitted here.

[BLU BY U]

it think the wheels are cool in a unique way, i dunno why everyone knocks them.

[letsgoflyers81]

Originally Posted by BLU BY U

it think the wheels are cool in a unique way, i dunno why everyone knocks them.

Because they're hideous, that's why. My wife has a hybrid and loves everything about her car... except the wheels. Even she hates them.

[letsgoflyers81]

Originally Posted by OblivionJin

lol, I wonder how many people actually buy the hybrid because they care about the earth.

My wife did. She doesn't drive enough and get good enough gas mileage to really justify the extra cost. However the difference in pollutants is considerable and she's very happy with that.