tire width help

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Apr 26, 2009 | 06:37 PM

KvnChu

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From: CA

tire width help

does anybody here know if having a wider wheels improves handling? i was looking trying to research online but i'm getting mixed answers

.. can somebody please shed some light on this problem for me?

Apr 26, 2009 | 06:56 PM

iSuxeL

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From: FL

IMO yes it does.

Apr 26, 2009 | 08:45 PM

L-S-D

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From: cgy,ab

it should... u get more traction to the ground

Apr 26, 2009 | 10:14 PM

Tommyboy72

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From: NM

Thats sort of a trick question. Wider usually means a change in contact patch shape, not size. So a wider tire with all other dimensions the same means lateral performance increases (turning) and it may slightly hurt longitudinal traction (acceleration/braking). Usually people will increase both the tread width and the overall diameter of the tire, increasing the contact patch in both directions. YMMV.

Apr 26, 2009 | 10:16 PM

projectdna

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wheel width and tire size are just two of many factors that go into how well/poor a car handles.

all else being equal, given the same wheel/tire diameter, tire compound, and tread pattern, a wider tire will have a larger contact patch (where the tire meets the road) than a more narrow tire.