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Why are modern cars issued with different wheel size options?
Although I have given up driving, as I approach my 89th birthday I still have a valid clean licence, having driven and owned a variety of vehicles in a host of different countries since 1943. But when purchasing a new car I was never given a choice of wheel size. So can you enlighten me as to why most modern cars have a choice of wheel and tyre size? In the good old days, the engineers designed new models with precise specifications for ultimate comfort and performance. Now it would appear, they are designed by a 'committee' which probably includes tyre manufacturers. Furthermore, and I may be wrong on this, how does it affect the odometer reading, as I was under the impression that this is related to the linear measurement of the circumference of the wheel?
Asked on 16 February 2013 by FH, Presteigne
Answered by
Honest John
Very sensible question. Cars are still optimised on a certain wheel size, usually 16-inch or 17-inch. Taken that the rolling circumference of the tyres is always approximately the same, obviously cars with smaller wheels and deeper profile tyres will normally offer a more comfortable ride and greater resistance to pothole damage, while cars with bigger wheels and lower profile tyres will offer the least comfortable ride and the greatest vulnerability to pothole damage.
On a track, or at very high and illegal road speeds, wider, lower profile tyres will generally provide better grip and roadholding in the dry than deep profile tyres. Profiles for car tyres generally vary from 65 to 25. On 4WD vehicles with both big wheels and deep profile tyres of 70 profile of more what can happen is that the combination of that and high centre of gravity makes the steering feel very vague. But generally the most sensible wheel and tyre sizes for ordinary cars is 195/65 R15 and either 205/60 R16 or 205/55 R 16.
The reason why ordinary cars are offered with ridiculous 'bling' wheel and tyre combinations is that the tyres are expensive, wear out very quickly and are vulnerable to damage. So tyre manufacturers discount the first set of tyres to car manufacturers to encourage them to be fitted, then reap huge rewards on replacements. That's the way it works.
On a track, or at very high and illegal road speeds, wider, lower profile tyres will generally provide better grip and roadholding in the dry than deep profile tyres. Profiles for car tyres generally vary from 65 to 25. On 4WD vehicles with both big wheels and deep profile tyres of 70 profile of more what can happen is that the combination of that and high centre of gravity makes the steering feel very vague. But generally the most sensible wheel and tyre sizes for ordinary cars is 195/65 R15 and either 205/60 R16 or 205/55 R 16.
The reason why ordinary cars are offered with ridiculous 'bling' wheel and tyre combinations is that the tyres are expensive, wear out very quickly and are vulnerable to damage. So tyre manufacturers discount the first set of tyres to car manufacturers to encourage them to be fitted, then reap huge rewards on replacements. That's the way it works.
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