Quote:
Originally Posted by renfield90
It's more likely with a higher profile tire like a 195/60/15. If the pressure is too low and you're driving too aggressive you get an insane amount of rollover onto the sidewall, and then if you hit a bump or dip in the pavement just right that sidewall starts acting like tread and applies a force to the car, which (due to the insane sidewall rollover) is already in a pretty compromised position.
At low pressures on street tires you're also at risk of the tire bead separating itself from the wheel, and this I have witnessed first hand on a Subaru STi. Best case scenario you chew the hell out of the wheel lip. Worst case scenario is your wheel lip finds a bump, expansion joint, etc. Either the wheel breaks or the pavement breaks...if the inertia of the car does not provide enough force for either of those, you flip.
No, it's not super likely, but it isn't far fetched - if someone handed me the keys to autocross their street car on 22psi, I would refuse.
It is easier to flip a car than you think. That's why we wear helmets.
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So you're saying that everyone driving around in their street cars with ~32psi in their tires are constantly on the edge of rolling over?
The absolute worst that will happen is the tire will pop off the bead, and you will destroy a rim and a tire. Saw it happen to an s2000 locally. Can confirm the car did not roll over.
I autocross my Z2s at 28-29psi. Center of gravity and roll centers be damned, she's going over
