What are the effects of installing larger tires on a car?
2 Answers
Installing larger tires on a car has the following effects: 1. The speedometer becomes inaccurate: When the speedometer shows 50, the actual speed may be 55. Conversely, with smaller tires, when the speedometer shows 50, the actual speed may only be 45. 2. Ground traction will decrease, but the top speed will increase: During acceleration, the first gear's torque will be excessive, resulting in a more aggressive start. However, the acceleration when running will be significantly slower compared to smaller tires. Below is some information about tires: 1. Tires are usually mounted on metal rims, supporting the vehicle body, absorbing external shocks, ensuring contact with the road, and maintaining the vehicle's driving performance. 2. Tires often operate under complex and demanding conditions, enduring various deformations, loads, forces, and high and low temperatures while driving. 3. They must have high wear resistance and flexibility, as well as low rolling resistance and heat generation.
Switching to larger tires can have significant impacts on your car, as I've seen many cases over years of driving. Firstly, the vehicle's height and handling will change. Bigger tires may improve grip, making cornering more stable, but acceleration slows down, and throttle response becomes noticeably delayed. Secondly, fuel consumption will definitely increase due to greater contact area and higher resistance—my friend's car burned nearly an extra liter per 100km after switching to larger tires. The speedometer will also be affected, leading to inaccurate readings and a higher risk of speeding violations. Additionally, the gap between the wheel rim and the car body decreases, making it easier to scrape the undercarriage on bumpy roads, affecting comfort. It's advisable to check the manual for size limits before making any changes. Blindly upgrading can damage the suspension system and cost you money. Consulting a professional modification shop to assess the right size is a wise choice.
