smooth wheels/hub caps = MPG increase?

[Brian D.]

I'm looking to hear from anyone who has kept THE SAME tire size, but either added smooth (plate/dish-like) hub caps to the wheels OR found the same smooth type of wheel to replace their pre-existing ones. I would like to know if this change resulted in increased MPGs.

I swapped my stock CRX HF (steelies) rims for a set of those superlight Mazda Miata BBS (mesh-style) rims. The BBS are in NO way a smooth pattern; they probably stir up all kinds of turbulence. Although I love the look of the rims, they (along with their somewhat LRR & lighweight tires) didn't boost my fuel economy. Now, I don't know if there's a chance that any gain may have been offset by the fact that the wheels are not as smoothly patterned as the stock steel HF rims. I do know that I'd just like to hear from anyone who HAS deliberately swapped to a smoother wheel pattern...and whether or not they experienced a gain/loss in FE. Thanks a bunch for any/all info.