How much better is traction with wider tires?
#1
How much better is traction with wider tires?
I've been reading a bunch of tire "science" type stuff and it sounds like wider tires don't really have much of a traction advantage. Anybody know of a measured difference in traction on the same car, same road, same tire, just different widths? Something like a car with the same model tires, but with 225 front and 275 rear and swapping them to see what its like.
#4
Kleeborp the Moderator™
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I didn't notice a significant change going from a 275 to a 295 tire in the back (the 295 on an 11" wide rim). I think the tire compound would have the biggest impact as opposed to width...although I would expect an equally sticky tire on different widths to show more traction with the wider tire. I went with extra width for looks only...
#5
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the wider the tire the bigger the contact patch so yes you would get better traction but there are variables like the softness of the rubber tire pressure ,you question is self explanatory
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#8
TECH Veteran
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yes width will help tractiong its simple really ok
you've got this much rubber on the ground with 245's (______)[ ]
compared to 315's where you've got this much rubber (__________)
its common sense if there is more rubber on the ground then it should tell you that the wider the tire the more traction goes up. you might still spin but cant be as bad..
you've got this much rubber on the ground with 245's (______)[ ]
compared to 315's where you've got this much rubber (__________)
its common sense if there is more rubber on the ground then it should tell you that the wider the tire the more traction goes up. you might still spin but cant be as bad..
#11
What I would really like to see is something like the three "sames" with a rolling start and keep track of the rpm (torque) that each tire breaks loose at.
Contact patch does NOT increase on a wider tire at the same inflation level, it gets wider and SHORTER, and in many cases is smaller.
I get the feeling a lot of tire guys have been selling a CROCK OF **** regarding what a wider tire does or doesn't do. One thing I know for sure is that wider tires cost more money and cause more problems.
Contact patch does NOT increase on a wider tire at the same inflation level, it gets wider and SHORTER, and in many cases is smaller.
I get the feeling a lot of tire guys have been selling a CROCK OF **** regarding what a wider tire does or doesn't do. One thing I know for sure is that wider tires cost more money and cause more problems.
#12
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Traction plays a better roll in the flexablity of the sidewall. I found i hook better on my 16 inch wheels with a sticky tire than i did with my 18's that had 315's
#13
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If you wanna hook you need more sidwewall and a stickier compound. You won't hook much better or better at all say going from a 275-315, the extra weight may play a roll in keeping traction but thats about it. The contact patch, although wider is stiff or stiffer with reduced sidewall.
This is why guys race w/ 15x8" rims. Sidewall plus sticky compound.
Width on street tires is for looks.
This is why guys race w/ 15x8" rims. Sidewall plus sticky compound.
Width on street tires is for looks.
#14
TECH Junkie
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Originally Posted by danglerb
I've been reading a bunch of tire "science" type stuff and it sounds like wider tires don't really have much of a traction advantage. Anybody know of a measured difference in traction on the same car, same road, same tire, just different widths? Something like a car with the same model tires, but with 225 front and 275 rear and swapping them to see what its like.
really, i only want it on my car because it looks cool.... id love to have CCWs with 315s on the front and 335s on the back..... not for traction, but because it looks cool as hell.
when i want straight line traction, THEN i goto the 28" tall tires... or the slicks.... compound and build makes much more diff then the size
#15
TECH Fanatic
Originally Posted by black_z
Sidewall height plays more of a role in traction than width.
True for "take-off".
But doesn't a wider tire with lower sidewall height help in the curves???
#16
Ten cent tour of turning follows.
Tires only roll in the direction they are pointed. When the wheel is turned from the path of the car, the tire flexes a bit, called the slip angle, and to a point progressively more turning force is applied to the car. Short sidewalls flex less, so have smaller slip angles, and that makes "response" faster, but also tend to give some drivers more road feel than they like or can compensate for.
Somehow I don't see something that looks and rides like a wagon wheel as progress.
Tires only roll in the direction they are pointed. When the wheel is turned from the path of the car, the tire flexes a bit, called the slip angle, and to a point progressively more turning force is applied to the car. Short sidewalls flex less, so have smaller slip angles, and that makes "response" faster, but also tend to give some drivers more road feel than they like or can compensate for.
Somehow I don't see something that looks and rides like a wagon wheel as progress.
#18
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Originally Posted by bLkWdOw SS
i would still spin my 11" rears like crazy, had some crappy sumotumos, once i got the 9.5 with the kumhos i wouldnt spin as much and axle hop went bye bye...
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Originally Posted by wabmorgan
True for "take-off".
But doesn't a wider tire with lower sidewall height help in the curves???
But doesn't a wider tire with lower sidewall height help in the curves???
"Rubber band" profiles KILL cornering on all but glass smooth roads, sometimes EVEN on those roads.