newbie needs tutoring on wheels and tires...

[MichaelDay]

quote:Originally posted by robinjoe

Here is another "newbie" question:

Will an otherwise identical (make and model) 7" wide tire last longer than a 6" tire?

It would seem to make sense since the tire will be slipping less, and the weight is distributed across a larger area. Don't you use a lower tire pressure on a wider tire since you are distributing the weight across a larger area?

Also, how reliable are the tread wear, traction, and temperature ratings printed on the sides of the tires? Are these determined by the manufacturer, or a standards testing agency of some sort?

The short answer to your question for the normal driver is NO. Now if you spend a lot of time spinning your tires and the wider tire hooked up better it would probably last longer. The thread compound is the major factor in tire longevity. Sticky tires are softer and wear faster. Actually, it can be counter-intuitive. Many times, you slow down on corners because you hear it squealing. The softer tire will frequently make less noise as it slips and you push it harder.

The ratings are relative and I have found that differences of 20-40 points aren't going to show up in day to day driving. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS) is a government dictated test that the manufacturers run. A control tire is used that has a VERY short life. Only 15% of the current tires last less than twice (200) as long as the control tire. 40% of the current tires last less than three times as long (300). 8% of the current tires last over 5 times as long as the control tire (500). The traction rating is based on ability to stop on wet roads. 75% of the current tires on the market are rated "A". Only 3% are rated "AA", the best while 22% are rated "B". For temperature, 27% are rated "A", 59% "B" and 11% "C" with A rated tires holding up best to resistance to breakdown under high temperatures. Tire temperatures increase with speed as well as ambient temperature.

[TaylorMade]

I have 17" Enkei 5-Spokes on my car. They actually came from the factory, so they are stock:

[robinjoe]

Mike,

What causes tires to wear? Isn't it friction with the road? Every time we start or stop, doesn't that friction tear a little of the tire off? Lets say a stop from 60-0 in 10 seconds tears off 1 milligram of tire. A 10" wide tire loses a lower percent of it's total tread mass than a 5" wide tire, and in theory would last twice as long.

I think heat has a bit to do with it too. Braking generates heat which disintegrates the wheel. The heat is a function of the energy needed to stop the car divided by the area of the tire touching the ground. The energy is distributed across a larger tire area which should reduce the heat per square inch.

I'm sure it's not much, but I'm thinking a 215mm wide tire has about 4.8% more tread than a 205mm tire, so it might last maybe 4% longer?

Mostly an academic question, but I'm curious.

Joe

[patoloco]

Thanks for asking the question Ramon, I'm following all the posts. Learning just like you. And Thanks All for the replies.
DJ

quote:Originally posted by Ramon

I'm really really new at this stuff (of course I'm addicted.) I've done all sorts of simple exterior and interior upgrades and I think I'm ready for a big one - wheels and tires. I own a PT cruiser convertible, the base model (with the base wheels,) and am ready to upgrade... but I see its so much more than just "choose a design." I need a tutor, bad. I like the look of the larger wheels (18") but want to know how it affects the handling, etc. Also, there what are all the numbers on the wheels when I'm looking at them,
ie:225/40/18?

I know this must seem ridiculous that I don't know these things, but we all gotta start somewhere... also, what about the width? how does that affect things? what's recommended? how does one choose these things? What about tires? what is Wheel offset? professional installation? what about web ordering?

I need help with the whole wheel and tire lexicon and would love it to be from a PT Cruiser owner and lover, so I turn to you all to help...

thanks for all the help...

-Ramon

[Ramon]

Your welcome pat... I really like your wheels Taylor...

If I wanted to order wheels online, are they delivered to me? THen I guess I take them to a local shop?

ANy suggestions for respectable but not ridiculously expensive brands of wheels? Tires? What about online shopping suggestions?

[PTurbed]

quote:Originally posted by Ramon

Your welcome pat... I really like your wheels Taylor...

If I wanted to order wheels online, are they delivered to me? THen I guess I take them to a local shop?

ANy suggestions for respectable but not ridiculously expensive brands of wheels? Tires? What about online shopping suggestions?

Surf the tirerack.com site. It'll be a great education for you [8)]

[Ramon]

TaylorMade,
can you post any more pics of your car... especially the side view/ wheel views... Also, where/how much did you get/pay for the Enkei's? What about tire specs.... it's a very cool look.

-Ramon