When comparing 17, 18, etc tires..........what does it affect.
I know a less wider tire is better for snow. So if for example, I have the same car in both 17" Snow and 22 Snow tires (same or similar width), will they both perform the same.
I guess the same goes for *dry traction*. The only difference I can see from 17 going to 22" is the *diameter* of the tires. Will a wider tire offer better road handeling in dry traction ?
The commonly accepted theory is that a narrower tire will climb down to the pavement and grip better in snow than a wider tire. Diameter does not matter expect in one way: as you put larger diameter wheels on a vehicle, you generally go to wider, lower profile tires to reduce the (height) of the larger diameter tire, keeping the overall diameter of the tire the same while maintaining the load capability of the tire. So, you just made the tire wider, and that's not good for snow.
For off road use, where you want to stay on _top_ of the soft surface, a wider tire is a better choice.
Not for the reason you think. Unless the vehicle weight changes, a wider tire has the same contact area as a narrow tire. However, if you are doing it right, you use a large wheel with a *lower profile* tire that is inherently wider (to get the load rating you need) and thereby reduce the sidewall height. A shorter sidewall flexes less as you corner and gives you a more responsive car.
There may also be an advantage to making the track of the car wider. However, there are disadvantages too: your wheel bearings are loaded differently than engineered, your tires may rub on the inner or outer fenders, and your alignment specs may need a change.
The biggest *disadvantage* to larger diameter wheels and lower sidewalls is that both the tires and wheels can be damaged much more easily. This is a serious concern in pothole country. You also have to run higher pressures, which can create a bouncy ride unless you have compensated for that somehow. Just keep in mind that tires are part of an engineered *system*, not a freestanding part.
When comparing 17, 18, etc tires..........what does it affect.
I know a less wider tire is better for snow. So if for example, I have the same car in both 17" Snow and 22 Snow tires (same or similar width), will they both perform the same.
I guess the same goes for *dry traction*. The only difference I can see from 17 going to 22" is the *diameter* of the tires. Will a wider tire offer better road handeling in dry traction ?
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