Why wider tyres

Replacing narrow tires with wider ones will usually increase rolling resistance and, therefore, slightly increase fuel consumption. In summer tires, size is also a question of esthetics; a wide tire is thought to look better than a narrow one. The tire profile refers to the ratio between the height and width of the tire. Since the most popular sizes are narrow with a high profile, they are manufactured in greater numbers than wide tires with a low profile.

That is part of the reason why narrow tires are usually cheaper than wider ones. The volume of air in a tire will particularly affect their driving comfort.

The larger the rim diameter, the less air will fit in the tire. High-profile tires with plenty of space for air are more comfortable than wide, low-profile tires. From a safety point of view, both types have their good sides: On a dry road, wider tires will offer more grip than narrow ones, but the risk of aquaplaning will be higher with wide tires.

Narrow tires also work better than wider ones in loose snow and slush. Picking tyres for your vehicle is always a compromise. Do you go all out and buy the most expensive tyres you can in hopes they are better than cheaper tyres? Do you fit wider tyres to increase performance in the dry but reduce wet weather performance? You also have to factor in if they will actually fit!

Increasing the tyre width may cause them to hit the wheel wells and your turning circle may be reduced as the tyres come into contact with suspension components that the factory-fitted tyres did not. If your vehicle is your weekend track toy, fitting larger tyres is almost a no-brainer.

However, for your average Joe Blow, fitting wider tyres to the grocery-getter to increase your chances of winning the traffic light Grand Prix could be considered a waste of money. You can't have tires that are too large for the vehicle to handle, and you should be comparing the same type of tire to another.

A wider winter tire typically won't offer as much performance as a slightly more narrow high-performance tire. There's a lot of science to be explained on this one, so we'll stop talking and let Jason take over. Hit play above to gain some important knowledge. Sign up to get the latest performance and luxury automotive news, delivered to your inbox daily! I agree to receive emails from Motor Authority. I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy. Contribute: Send us a tip Contact the editor.

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