What are the effects of widening tires by 2 centimeters on a car?
2 Answers
Tires widened by 2 centimeters can improve the vehicle's grip to some extent. This enhances the car's traction, but it also leads to increased fuel consumption. Tire Introduction: Tire types follow international standard tire codes, which indicate the section width and aspect ratio in millimeters as a percentage. This is followed by the tire type code, rim diameter (in inches), load index (permissible load-carrying capacity code), and permissible speed code. For example, in the code 175/70R1477H, 175 represents the tire width of 175mm, 70 indicates the tire's aspect ratio is 70%, meaning the section height is 70% of the width, the rim diameter is 14 inches, the load index is 77, and the permissible speed is H-grade. Front and Rear Tires: Most sedans have the same specifications for front and rear tires. However, in some high-performance special-purpose vehicles like sports cars or rear-wheel-drive models, the front and rear tire specifications may differ. Generally, the larger the engine displacement, the larger the tire specifications tend to be. Of course, the size of the tires directly affects the vehicle's comfort, aesthetics, and its off-road capability.
Widening the tires by 2 centimeters can bring noticeable changes to driving. The advantage is that it significantly enhances grip, making the car more stable during turns, especially in rainy or snowy conditions where it's less prone to skidding, thereby improving safety. However, there are also several drawbacks: fuel consumption usually increases because wider tires have more friction with the road, requiring the engine to work harder to propel the car. On long trips, I end up spending an extra ten or so dollars on gas each time. The steering wheel also becomes heavier, requiring more effort to control what was once an easy drive, and over time, my wrist starts to ache. In terms of tire wear, if the rims aren't properly matched, one side can wear out faster. Last time I changed tires, I lost several months of use because of this. The suspension system may also bear additional stress, potentially leading to earlier inspections or repairs in the long run. To save money and stay safe, it's best to choose rims that match the tire size or consult a professional shop to see how much your car model can handle.
