29 psi + 6 psi = WOW

[Howard]

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: SampSon

Originally posted by: AmigaMan
wouldn't under-inflated tires actually give more traction in the snow and ice? Wouldn't there be more contact between the tire and the road?

Underinflated tires would cause the middle section of the tire to bow in and the sides would only properly contact the road.
Overinflated tires would cause the middle section of the tire to balloon out and have less contact area, but less rolling resistance.

I think you're talking about seriously under-inflated tires. I'm talking about letting may 5-10 psi out of a 35psi max rated tire. When 4 wheelers go out they let out a bit of air from their tires to get more traction. I would think the same analogy would apply to snow. It would suck for gas mileage which is what the OP was talking about.

A wider tread doesn't increase traction in snow, ice, or rain.

 

[OverVolt]

Originally posted by: AmigaMan
wouldn't under-inflated tires actually give more traction in the snow and ice? Wouldn't there be more contact between the tire and the road?

I always thought that surface area didn't matter with friction/traction. Only the force between the tire and the road.

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: SampSon

Originally posted by: AmigaMan
wouldn't under-inflated tires actually give more traction in the snow and ice? Wouldn't there be more contact between the tire and the road?

Underinflated tires would cause the middle section of the tire to bow in and the sides would only properly contact the road.
Overinflated tires would cause the middle section of the tire to balloon out and have less contact area, but less rolling resistance.

I think you're talking about seriously under-inflated tires. I'm talking about letting may 5-10 psi out of a 35psi max rated tire. When 4 wheelers go out they let out a bit of air from their tires to get more traction. I would think the same analogy would apply to snow. It would suck for gas mileage which is what the OP was talking about.

A wider tread doesn't increase traction in snow, ice, or rain.

Tread compound has a lot more to do with cold weather grip of tires than does the inflation (within reason of reccomended pressures, that is).