18" vs 20" Tires?
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From: Pennsylvania
18" vs 20" Tires?
Can someone explain to me why one would want a 20 inch tire versus the standard 18 inch tire. As as guy who likes cars but not exactly an "enthusiast", bigger tires just sounds to me to be bigger replacement costs later. What am I missing?
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From: Pennsylvania
I got that, but WHY? What's better about the 20" tire versus the standard 18 incher vs the 19incher offered but not standard on the 3GEN RX? Vs the olden days with 15 inch tires?
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2016
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From: Louisiana
Looks are one reason. Some people like the look of the larger wheel. Also you can get slightly more wear from the tire because it makes fewer revolutions per minute than an 18" wheel going the same distances because of the larger circumference of the tire.
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Last edited by bootman; Feb 13, 2016 at 10:13 AM.
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,067
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From: Pennsylvania
Looks? Why doesn't Lexus just offer different style wheels if they want offer upgraded looks? Why change the tire side? Previously 15 inch were standard and 16 were the upgrade/looks. Then they kept upping the size to today's 18 and 20. I wish SOMEONE could explain the REAL reason anyone would want bigger tires?
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From: CA
Looks? Why doesn't Lexus just offer different style wheels if they want offer upgraded looks? Why change the tire side? Previously 15 inch were standard and 16 were the upgrade/looks. Then they kept upping the size to today's 18 and 20. I wish SOMEONE could explain the REAL reason anyone would want bigger tires?
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Joined: Feb 2013
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Looks? Why doesn't Lexus just offer different style wheels if they want offer upgraded looks? Why change the tire side? Previously 15 inch were standard and 16 were the upgrade/looks. Then they kept upping the size to today's 18 and 20. I wish SOMEONE could explain the REAL reason anyone would want bigger tires?
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JB
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: IL
Some of us recall the slang phrase "Big Wheel" referring to a rich
and powerful person. The expensive cars driven by such folks
usually had larger wheels and a more commanding presence on
the road. Think Duesenberg or Packard.
The downfall of the modern interpretation of this style is that the
overall rolling circumference need to stay about the same for all
the gear ratios and ABS brake calibrations to work. A larger
wheel needs a shorter sidewall tire which brings compromises.
and powerful person. The expensive cars driven by such folks
usually had larger wheels and a more commanding presence on
the road. Think Duesenberg or Packard.
The downfall of the modern interpretation of this style is that the
overall rolling circumference need to stay about the same for all
the gear ratios and ABS brake calibrations to work. A larger
wheel needs a shorter sidewall tire which brings compromises.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2016
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From: NY
[QUOTE=dchar;9365230]Well the bigger wheels fill out the wheel wells better. They compliment the lines of the new designs better. They also provide better handling, but sacrifice a bit of ride comfort.[/QUOTE
Exactly, tires are really a compromise. It will never do all things well. I will take handling over comfort because an SUV needs all the help it can get.
Exactly, tires are really a compromise. It will never do all things well. I will take handling over comfort because an SUV needs all the help it can get.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 4
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From: Louisiana
It diffinitly effects ride. A friend has the 18" wheels on his new suv and the ride seems to be better than my 20" wheels. Don't know about handling yet because my RX350 is only 6 weeks old and I have not been in situations where handling is real important.