Thread: Tire Width?
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Old 06-05-2013, 03:31 PM   #37
CSG Mike
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SubieNate View Post
So technically speaking, at the same inflation PSI, tire size only changes the shape of the contact patch right? because physically at 35 psi you need x amount of surface area to react the weight of the car.

So is it the reduction in tire deflection that reduces heat generation when going to a wider tire, or are people reducing inflation pressure to get the same amount of deflection but more usable surface area? Since getting that larger surface area on a smaller tire could result in uneven wear and strange feel because the tire is underinflated?

Cheers
Nathan
The engineering side of you is coming out again.

The interaction between cornering force causing deflection, sidewall resistance, how the tire pressure supports the sidewall, etc all play together.

I can go on for hours....


In short, stretched = better response, higher risk of debeading, and possibly larger contact patch (with proper setup)
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