215/45/16 odd tire

[Balacam]

215/45/16 seems to be an odd tire size. what tires are available for this size?

 

first of all, my stock size is 195/60/15 I would like to upgrade to 215/50/16 but I may have problem with that size because I am on coilover.

 

the most widely used 16 inch tire would be 205/50/16 and it is the most suitable because the overall circumference difference is the least when compared to stock.

 

Now I want 215 because I think wider tire width means better for stability and breaking. Am I right?

[Robertoon]

HANKOOK RS2 have this size in Stock...PM if you are interested

[Nine_eleven]

your rim must also be wide enough to take the 215 series tire.

 

7" width min...

[Elfenstar]

Now I want 215 because I think wider tire width means better for stability and breaking. Am I right?

 

but worse for aquaplanning assuming the same tyre model is used.

[Balacam]

ok roger I understand. if you did not mention I wouldn't have thought of it. thanks

[Kelpie]

Race car usually go for thinner tyre including width. Big rims and wide tyres usually for show.

 

Regards,

Edited March 15, 2007 by Kelpie

[Sturtles]

Race car usually go for thinner tyre including width. Big rims and wide tyres usually for show.

 

Regards,

 

Don't think this is true, else what's the point of having wide rims? It's probably there to fit wide tires, else all f1 race cars will be on bicycle tires.

[Smith]

racer bike tires to be exact.. fastest of them all.

 

this is something which i wanna know too... logically speaking.. thicker tires should give better grip in corners rite? but some argue that it is not true... so what is the logic behind that?

 

can anyone enlighten?

[Balacam]

you have prompt me to find out more.

 

 

I tried to understand the theory described in the following website

 

http://www.mazda6tech.com/index.php?option...id=20&Itemid=50

://http://www.mazda6tech.com/index.php...=20&Itemid=50

 

for good lateral grip (cornering), preventing the sidewall from deforming is the greatest priority. Worry about that first- don't get hung up on wide tire sizes that, in the end, make only marginal improvements.

 

which means for my case, instead of going for 215/45/16, I should use 195/50/16.

Edited March 22, 2007 by Balacam

[Smith]

i think they're not really answering the question. So assuming that we have stiff sidewall on both tires (same make), then wouldn't the wider one still give better grip?

 

article seems to be beating about the bush...

[Evoluzio]

Thicker tyres - larger contact patch - more friction in the dry, which translates to higher grip.

 

Thinner tyres - smaller contact patch - in low grip conditions like sandy or wet roads, more pressure exerted by the tyres on the ground. Higher grip in this case.

 

Of course that's taking out other factors like tyre compound, tread patterns, tyre mileage...

[Sturtles]

Don't think so, wide knobbly tires are used in 4wd cars to increase contact surface and grip on sandy and muddy terrain.

 

There is no grip performance gain by having narrow tires. The myth about having wide tires performing poorly in the rain is all but a myth. a 205/40/17 tire will have less grip than a 225/40/17 in the wet due to extra contact patch.

 

End of the day, logically though thin tires cut water(very narrow knife like bicycle tires), contact surface is still needed to stop the car, and narrow tires do not provide that in a car's context.

Edited April 2, 2007 by Sturtles

[Balacam]

Finally after doing some search I have understood something for myself

 

The actual grip that a tyre can generate is dictated by the coefficient of friction of the rubber compound used in the tyre.

 

if you compare between 225/40/17 and 205/40/17 of the same tyre compound, their contact patch are actually the same, i.e. 225 will result in wider but shorter contact patch while 205 will result in narrower but longer contact patch. Their area is actually the same.

 

However, wider tyres have its advantages. Due to the reduced bending stresses, and greater cooling opportunities, the wider tyre will tend to stay within a narrow temperature range quite consistently, giving greater cold grip, while managing to have a reduced propensity for overheating. That is why wider width makes for a better performance tyre.

 

that is what I understood after following closely to this article.

http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/A_0996/article.html