When you want to choose the correct tire for your car, you need to consider different factors. The reason why, inappropriate tires can make your ride unstable. But you might want to put wider tires on the rims because they can enhance the overall look, performance and provide better handling of the vehicle. Can you put a wider tire on the same rim? Today, our discussion will focus on this question that most car owners have. It is possible to put a wider tire, but there are some important matters you should be aware of. Thus, stick with the blog post until the end!
Understanding Tire Sizing and Rim Width
In general, the sizes of tires are mentioned on the sidewalls of a tire. There is a series of numbers and letters. You should understand these characters to determine the right size of tires. Mainly there are three parameters as width, height, and diameter. And it is mentioned as 225/60R/16 (an example). Refer to the following details to find out those meanings.
- Section width – 225 millimeters
- Sidewall height – 60R indicates the aspect ratio. The number equals the percentage of the tire’s width, while R indicates the ‘radial’ of the tire. (60% of 225 millimeters)
- Inner bead diameter (tire’s inside diameter in inches) – 16 inches
According to the overall size of the vehicle, these measurements are adjusted. But the calculations are done the same.
Can you Put a Wider Tire on the Same Rim?
Yes, a wider tire can be put on the same rim. But you should know the tire measurements first. You can easily find out the measurements on the sidewalls. As we mentioned in the above sections, there are three parameters. Let’s see how they affect the rim.
First of all, the ratio of the rim width should be compatible with the tire width. It means you are able to put a broader tire to a particular point. But the problem is the tread depth and rim are not measured by the same unit.
So, you need to turn your rim’s diameter into millimeters. But tires are manufactured in sizes from 165 and in 5 mm increments. So, let’s think your rim size is 7 inches. Then your rim can work with 215 or 225 mm tires. And if your rim is 7.5 inches, it can manage 245 to 255 mm tires. But you need to inflate them properly.
However, you need to remember that when you increase the section width, it can decrease the aspect ratio.
The clearance in the wheel is another thing that restricts putting wider tires on the rim. Thus, the outside diameter, as well as the width, is important when changing tires. Otherwise, it can damage the car.
Considerations for Putting Wider Tires on the Same Rim
If you choose a too large and heavy tire by chance, the car might be damaged. So, you need to consider these two major factors before putting wider tires on the rim.
- Wheel well size – there should be adequate space for tires, especially when the tires turn or drive on rough terrain. Thus, if you use wider tires, you need to check the size of the wheel well too. Avoid any contact between the parts of the wheels and the metal in the wheel well.
- Tire size – bigger tires cause high friction. As a result, the tires can make a lot of noise, and the transmission is shifted. It is normal because the car model comes with a specific tire size. Therefore, do not choose too large tires for the vehicle.
What Happens if you Put a Wider Tire on a Rim?
You can experience some differences when you are riding after you put on wider tires. Basically, the overall performance of the vehicle increases because bigger wheels can easily roll down on the surface than small tires. You can have better handling. And also, wider tires can enhance the overall look of the vehicle.
However, if you pick a too-large tire, you will have the opposite results. The car might be damaged because the inner parts of the wheel can be irritated. Sometimes, wider tires can reduce fuel economy as well.
Do all Four Tires Need to be the Same Width?
It is okay to put tires in different sizes. Mostly, people use narrower tires for the front while wider tires for the back. But there are some issues with this change. The difference in tire sizes directly affects the weight balance of the vehicle. Especially when you brake, one side can grip more firmly than the other side. Thus, you cannot have smoother riding from only two wider tires. It is always recommended to use four wheels of the same size to avoid such issues.
Do Bigger Tires Give a Smooth Ride?
Relatively, bigger tires are better. Usually, the tires consist of 4 areas in contact with the surface. Accordingly, the rubber of the tire is in direct contact with the road. When your car has bigger contact patches, tires can grip the surface firmly when compared to smaller tires. And when you brake or accelerate, your vehicle will not lose traction. And also, you will be able to make sharp turns.
What’s more, bigger tires can increase the stability of the vehicle, especially when you drive fast, since they have low rolling resistance. But you should not choose a very big size that does not match your vehicle rim.
Can Wrong Size Tires Damage the Car?
There is a chance of damaging the car if you put the wrong size tire. You need to consider the outside diameter as well as the width when changing the tires. The reason why, if the tire is wider or taller unnecessarily, it can irritate the inside of the wheel with brake lines. It will be harmful to the tire, and eventually, you might have to face a sudden failure.
Thus, you should choose the correct size tires. It is always recommended to get some advice from a professional mechanic if you cannot decide what tire size would be suitable.
VIDEO CREDITS: Tire Review YouTube Channel
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