In terms of enhancing your car’s performance and style, tyre upsizing is the most popular modification among many drivers. While there is significant focus on the size of the wheel, the section width of the tyre is also critical. The section width is the tire’s width from sidewall to sidewall, and even the tiniest change can significantly affect handling, safety, and comfort. In this tyre upsizing guide, we will cover why section width is essential to help you make an informed decision about wider tyre installation.
Read More: Tyre Handling Impact – The Role Tyres Play in Your Car’s Performance
Understanding Tyre Section Width in the Tyre Upsizing Guide
In the case of section width, what you choose determines how much of the tyre comes in contact with the road. With a broader choice of tyres, you are in fact increasing the contact patch, which in turn may improve grip and stability. That said, tyre fitment is not always as black and white as just going wider. At times, the section width may be too great for the wheel well or suspension elements, which in turn may cause issues like rubbing or misalignment. For proper fitment analysis, we look at which section widths will work best with your vehicle’s design.
Performance and Handling Effects of Wider Tyre Install
One of the primary benefits of going with wider tires is better traction. Wide tires, which are what we are discussing here, distribute the car’s weight over a greater area, which in turn provides better grip during cornering and acceleration. This is very true for sports cars or for the driver who is after that sort of performance. At the same time, it is also a fact that wide tires do produce more rolling resistance, which in turn results in lower fuel efficiency. In either case, a balanced approach has to be achieved between the performance you are gaining and the trade-off in efficiency you are also seeing.
Another issue is that of steering response. Wide tires do indeed improve handling and provide a sportier feel to the drive. At the same time, though, if the section width is not what the rim size or suspension setup is meant for, it may cause steering to be heavier or may, in fact, mar the overall ride quality. This is a key element in any tyre upsize guide.
Why Section Width Can Cause Rubbing Risk and Fitment Issues
Not every vehicle comes with a design that includes wider tires. When the section width goes beyond what is put forth by the manufacturer, the tires may come in contact with the wheel wells, suspension elements, or brake parts. That which we see is that when this happens, damage to the tires is a given and also affects safety. At Sand Dance Tyre, we have professional installers who we use to check out clearance issues to make sure there is sufficient space for proper tire function without issue.
In another aspect, we see that of uneven wear. If a wide tyre is put on a narrow rim, the contact patch is distorted, which in turn causes premature wear and poor performance. It is essential to pay attention to the manufacturer’s specs in this regard.
Impact of Section Width on Speedometer Error
A not-so-obvious but essential element of upsizing is the speedometer inaccuracy. What we see is that changing the section width changes the rolling tire circumference. Even a slight variation will cause your speedometer and odometer to report inaccurately. This may make you think you are driving faster than you actually are. In performance cars, this also plays a role in the stability control systems, which count on precise wheel speed info. By using the right tyre upsizing guide, you reduce speedo errors and maintain safe and reliable performance.
Sand Dance Tyre’s Expertise in Tyre Upsizing Guide
At Sand Dance Tyre, we see that tyre upsizing does more than change the look of your vehicle; it is an opportunity to achieve the best of performance, comfort, and safety. We look at your vehicle’s details, what you plan to use it for, and what will work with your vehicle’s make and model to put together the best recommendation for you. If you are thinking of going wider for better performance or want to give your car a new look, our team also looks out for issues like rubbing and speedometer inaccuracy.
Through the use of a good tyre upsizing guide, you may enjoy the features of larger, wider tires at the same time, which will also protect your car’s performance and reliability. Wide profiles of the right section will bring you better handling, better grip, and precise fitment without at the same time affecting fuel economy or safety. For professional guidance and installation, we at Sand Dance Tyre are your trusted source to help you achieve the perfect tyre upgrade.
FAQs
Q1: How far out can I go when switching to larger tires?
It will depend on your vehicle’s clearance and rim size. Usually, a slight increase in section width is safe, but we recommend you consult an expert for proper fitment.
Q2: Will bigger tires continuously improve performance?
Widened tires may see better performance in terms of grip and handling, but also may lower fuel efficiency and, at the same time, increase steering effort, which is a concern if the tires aren’t fitted properly.
Q3: Can the improper size of a part damage my car?
Yes, poor section width can cause issues of rub, uneven wear, and speedometer inaccuracy, which in turn affect safety and performance.
Q4: Do different-width tires affect fuel economy?
Yes, wider tires do, in fact, increase rolling resistance and, as a result, may drop the fuel efficiency of your vehicle as compared to the stock tire size.
