Tyre brands

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:43 am

So if skinny tyres are safer, why arent they fitted to new cars anymore?

Post by **docchevron** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:52 am

Erm, there's so many different reasons for that we could have started the longest thread of all time to get to the bottom of, and it'll use all the bandwidth in the whole world!

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:55 am

Not stated safer, just that there are pluses and minuses.

With regard to new cars, probably has more to do with aesthetics in that modern cars are more 'bloated' than earlier models and probably on the majority ABS has become a standard feature. (ABS is unlikely to help you once you are aquaplaning though!)

jonathan_dyane · Post by **jonathan_dyane** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:06 am

MULLEY wrote:So if skinny tyres are safer, why arent they fitted to new cars anymore?

1) Apparently big wheels with rubber tyres 'look sexy'.

2) It's an easy way of making something seem to handle well (in the dry) even if its suspension and weight distribution is somewhat lacking.

3) Repeat 1)

To a degree I think it is a matter of taste, and as such is subjective. I prefer the ride and driving characteristics of skinnier and taller tyres, and theory (and my experience) suggests that in adverse conditions they provide more grip. I also think that every new/newish car I've been in has ridiculously stiff suspension, giving an uncomfortable and terribly fatiguing ride, and also undermining grip on undulating corners.

I can only speculate that this must be what the buying public (or more specifically focus groups) want...

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:19 am

jonathan_dyane wrote:1) Apparently big wheels with rubber tyres 'look sexy'.

But apparently not to your mystery 'friend' at no.19?

cacaolat · Post by **cacaolat** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 10:05 am

I have read test results last week, which confirm the fact that slim tyres are safer in aquaplaning.
Hey.. I am just putting on the standard size tyre, which the car is designed and tested for.

cacaolat · Post by **cacaolat** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 10:09 am

here is the test...but sorry it is in german
http://www.adac.de/Tests/Reifentests/br ... ageID=8762

BX Bandit · Post by **BX Bandit** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:04 am

MULLEY wrote: Perhaps the aquaplaning principle does corrorborate the theory that skinny tyres are less likely to aquaplane, however, by the very nature of the fact that they are narrow, they have less mechanical grip

Correct but mechanical grip (contact between road and tyre) doesn't exist when aquaplaning. Skinny tyres offer less grip that is true but have a higher resistance to aquaplaning (all other things being equal that is).

Most road conditions are predictable so you can drive according to the conditions of the raod/weather/tyres etc. Obviously aquaplaning is unpredictable so best to reduce likelihood of occurance with skinny tyres.

As with everything, it's a trade off and 99.99% of the time a car isn't aquaplaning so fit bit fat rubber and impress Joe Public with the 'handling' and 'sporty appearance' of his latest german aquisition.

On that little note; I had a sit in the new C5 today - I felt somewhat disappointed although it seems - you know - car like

cauchoiskev · Post by **cauchoiskev** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:52 am

People think that a fatter tyre will put more rubber on the road. It won't.

For a given weight on the tyre and a given tyre pressure, the contact patch area is exactly the same whatever the width of the tyre is. The only difference is the shape of the contact patch.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:09 pm

cauchoiskev wrote:People think that a fatter tyre will put more rubber on the road. It won't.

For a given weight on the tyre and a given tyre pressure, the contact patch area is exactly the same whatever the width of the tyre is. The only difference is the shape of the contact patch.

Uh? I can't see how this can be the case. Can you elaborate?

cacaolat · Post by **cacaolat** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 3:35 pm

sorry forget to say...the test does however also say that wider tyres tend to be safer when braking and in curves...(exept comfort and aquaplaning)
but I still feel the standard size good quality brand is better than a rubbish quality super wide tyre

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 8:40 pm

I agree, but when you have quality wide tyres, then no probs

Infact, i'm only using the spec of tyres that were fitted to the 8v gti & wasn't the valver fitted for 195/60's, so if those models are suitable for the wider tyre, i see no reason why they cant be used on the other models.

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 9:00 pm

However, the the 8v gti & the valver as well as being fitted with the wider tyres are also fitted with ABS as standard just in case the wider wheels start to 'lose it'.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 1:07 pm

Werent TZD Turbo's which had abs, fitted with 165/70's?

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 2:44 pm

Possibly, but ABS as a safety system is still beneficial to have and even more so if you drive towards the handling limit of your tyres and need to brake.