What does it feel like to change from 195 to 205 tires?
2 Answers
Many car owners who have changed from 195 to 205 tires report that the car feels more stable, with no significant improvement in handling, increased fuel consumption, and some loss of power. Things to note: After widening the tread, it is necessary to check whether the tires will rub against the fenders. If they do, you need to switch back, otherwise there will be certain safety hazards. Advantages and disadvantages of changing from 195 to 205 tires: 1. Advantages: Changing from 195 to 205 tires essentially widens the tire tread. A wider tire can indeed provide better grip performance and lateral force, which greatly helps with vehicle stability. Even during aggressive driving or sharp turns, you can have sufficient driving confidence. 2. Disadvantages: At the same time, due to the increased contact area, the friction coefficient is relatively higher, which can affect the car's fuel economy and even result in louder noise at high speeds. Therefore, to achieve more balanced tire performance, it is best to choose the optimal tire width that corresponds to the wheel hub.
After upgrading from 195 tires to 205, I feel the car handles turns more stably in daily driving, especially with reduced body sway during cornering, and the ground grip has improved noticeably. However, with the wider tires increasing the contact area and friction, fuel consumption has also risen significantly, with a full tank covering dozens of kilometers less in the city. On the highway, the noise is louder than before, especially on uneven roads where the humming is more pronounced, slightly affecting music enjoyment. But my friend mentioned that the rims need to be checked for compatibility, as installing 205 tires on unsuitable rim sizes can accelerate tire edge wear. Overall, the safety performance is better, but the economic aspect has taken a hit, so it's worth weighing the long-term costs and convenience.
