Does changing to larger tires have a significant impact on the car?
2 Answers
Changing to larger tires has a significant impact on the car. Car tires not only determine driving safety but also play a major role in comfort. Larger car tires provide stronger grip, higher safety, better performance, and increased comfort. However, bigger tires are not always better. Although large-size tires offer many advantages, they should not be changed arbitrarily. The key is to consider the specific condition of your vehicle. Car tires are one of the essential components of a car, directly in contact with the road surface. Together with the car suspension, they help absorb shocks during driving, ensuring good ride comfort and smoothness. They also ensure excellent adhesion between the wheels and the road, improving the car's traction, braking, and off-road capability, while bearing the weight of the car.
Upgrading to larger tires indeed has multifaceted impacts on a vehicle. With nearly twenty years of driving experience, I often hear discussions about switching to bigger rims. While this modification visually enhances the car's appearance, making it look more aggressive, the practical changes become noticeable during use. Firstly, steering becomes heavier due to the increased tire contact patch, requiring more effort to turn the wheel—especially noticeable for female drivers who may find it tiring. Secondly, fuel consumption rises by approximately 0.5 liters per 100 kilometers due to increased rolling resistance. Additionally, the speedometer becomes inaccurate, displaying a slower speed than actual, which can lead to unintentional speeding on highways. Extra caution is also needed on rough roads as larger tire diameters increase the risk of scraping the wheel arch liners. Although high-speed stability improves, the overall impact is significant. It's advisable to stick within the manufacturer's recommended size range if opting for an upgrade.
