What are the pros and cons of low-profile tires?
2 Answers
Low-profile tires have the following advantages and disadvantages, as well as the purpose of tire flattening: Advantages of low-profile tires: The advantages are faster acceleration, better support, and suitability for sports cars and racing cars that pursue rapid acceleration and high-speed aggressive driving. Disadvantages of low-profile tires: The disadvantages are higher fuel consumption, poorer ride comfort, unsuitability for daily driving, and higher requirements for road quality. They are not suitable for poor road conditions, unpaved roads, or off-road conditions. Purpose of tire flattening: The main purpose of tire flattening is to improve performance, including acceleration and braking performance. The reason is easy to understand—friction. The wider the tire, the larger the contact area, and the stronger the friction naturally becomes. It's like how thin ice skates can slide easily, whereas if replaced with an iron block, they wouldn't slide at all.
I used to drive in the city with low-profile tires and found the handling truly impressive—the car responded well in turns without skidding, felt super stable at high speeds, and looked sleek like a race car. But the downsides were too obvious: the tires were so thin that hitting a small pothole would cause a blowout. Last year alone, I had to repair them three times, which hurt my wallet. The ride was also harsh, with strong vibrations making my back ache after just an hour of driving. They were prone to slipping in rain or snow. Honestly, they’re not suitable for daily family use unless you’re constantly on the highway. Otherwise, I’d recommend switching to regular tires—they save money, offer comfort, and at least spare you the hassle of frequent replacements. Daily commuting is stressful enough without these tires adding to the trouble.
