ssp@dutoit.UUCP (02/26/86)
Can someone explain what difference wheel/tire size makes to a car's acceleration top speed road noise economy road holding handling ride etc. why and how much??!! Also what the different numbers mean:eg. 185/60 HR 14 80 H tires on 6 J x 14 wheels, alloy/steel etc. And are there any physical limitations on the wheel/tire choice for a given car? Shamim Pirzada att_bl research!ssp
tim@ur-cvsvax.UUCP (Tim Takahashi) (02/27/86)
> > Can someone explain what difference wheel/tire size makes to a car's > > acceleration A tire wheel setup with a smaller overall diameter will improve low-end acceleration (the engine runs faster) > top speed If your car is red-line limited in top speed, larger o/d tires will improve top speed. If your car is power limited, smaller o/d tires will improve top speed. > road noise Road noise generally varies from tire make to tire make. One point - ultra high performance tires are not designed to sacrifice grip for a quiet ride. > economy Varies greatly from model to model. > road holding The wider the contact area, the better the handling both in acceleration, braking and cornering. However, the tires must be matched to the wheels. > handling > ride > etc. > > why and how much??!! > > Also what the different numbers mean:eg. 185/60 HR 14 80 H tires > on 6 J x 14 wheels, alloy/steel etc. > 185 - the tire is appox. 185 mm. wide at its widest point 60 - the sidewalls of the tire are approx. 60% as tall as the tire is wide. H - european speed rating (slowest S-T-H-V fastest) R - radial 14 - designed for a 14 inch rim 80 - load rating for tire 6J - wheel rim (at the bead) is 6 in. wide 14 - wheel rim is 14 in. in diameter > And are there any physical limitations on the wheel/tire choice for > a given car? 1) physical space in the wheel wells, 2) your sense of aesthetics and 3) your pocket book. > > Shamim Pirzada att_bl research!ssp Tim Takahashi (Mr. Volvo) Ctr for Vis. Sci. University of Rochester Rochester, NY