Tire Size & Performance

[2BlackBirdz]

I need some new tires. Right now, I have the stock P235-55R16 Eagle GA's on there. After looking at the tire sticky and a bunch of the tire threads, it seems that a lot of people go with a wider tire, commonly a 245-50-16's.

Do people choose the wider size mostly because there are more tire options avaiable in that size, or because of a performance advantage?

What will the wider 245 do for me in terms of performance over a 235? Does it make a noticable difference in traction, handling? I know the 245 would give me a wider "footprint"...

Are there any performance/handling drawbacks to the wider size?

Thanks.

[BLLDOGG]

Re: Tire Size & Performance

basically you will just get better handling and traction like you said. I mainly did it just for the wide foot print and shorter side wall. I dont do road racing nor have i gone to the track, so i dont know if there was a noticable difference or not.

[V6Bob]

Re: Tire Size & Performance

I need some new tires. Right now, I have the stock P235-55R16 Eagle GA's on there. After looking at the tire sticky and a bunch of the tire threads, it seems that a lot of people go with a wider tire, commonly a 245-50-16's.

Do people choose the wider size mostly because there are more tire options avaiable in that size, or because of a performance advantage?

What will the wider 245 do for me in terms of performance over a 235? Does it make a noticable difference in traction, handling? I know the 245 would give me a wider "footprint"...

Are there any performance/handling drawbacks to the wider size?

Thanks.

There's not a huge difference just because of the size. A good 235 will beat a bad 245.

But, given equal tires, the wider lower tire will corner and stop a bit better. It will ride a bit worse and nibble a bit worse over road irregularities. It will have slightly less traction in snow. It may hydroplane a bit easier, but there differences in tread design should swamp out the small difference in size.

My suggestion is that buying a good tire (I personally like the large amount of user survey data on tirerack's website) is the most important thing. Next most important to you may be style. Many people like the looks of the 245s better. One idea is to do research, pick a 235 and a 245, and then make a choice between them.

My personal choice is currently to run 245/50s in summer, and 215/60 all-seasons or snows in winter. The substantially narrower tire does better in snow.

[Lurieh]

Re: Tire Size & Performance

Do people choose the wider size mostly because there are more tire options avaiable in that size, or because of a performance advantage?

The choice to change from stock tire size is two fold:

1) A wider, lower profile tire will perform better concerning your lateral G's. You can grip better, and the stiffer sidewall will help cornering. A wider tire will help with straight line traction, but if you're concerned with drag strip type traction, a low profile tire isn't going to grip as well as a same-width taller tire.

Example: A 275/60/15 is going to be better than a 275/40/17 at the strip.

That's why you see cars at the strip with the wide "balloons" on the drive axle.

2) A lower aspect tire will give you a slight gearing increase. It technically isn't a physical change in gearing, but a seat-of-the-pants feel. A 245/50/16 is about 2% smaller in diameter than a 235/55/16. Do to a shorter tire, your speedo will be off, the odometer will be off, your tach will be a bit off, but you'll feel a slight acceleration improvement.

Of course, you'll also have some asthetic concerns. With a shorter tire, you'll see more fender gap. You'll either have to deal with it, or purchase some lowering springs.

And finally, if you're concerned with your speedo, odo, tach being off you could always go with a 255/50/16. They aren't as popular, and might be a bit more expensive, but they aren't as short as the 245/50/16.

[2BlackBirdz]

Re: Tire Size & Performance

Thanks for the replies!
They had my tire in a 245/50/16 so that's the size I went with. Reprogrammed the new size with the Hypertech. So far, I like it a lot, haven't had a chance to drive with it on dry roads yet but can't wait to try it. I do like the new look too.