Anyone here own a Suzuki Ignis 4X4? Tire question...

[Remobz]

Hey all,

So anyone here own a 2004 Suzuki Ignis 4X4?

The vehicle looks just like this..................

http://trialx.com/curetalk/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/2013/03/cars/2004_Suzuki_Ignis-3.jpg

Although its 4x4 the tires are REALLY REALLY small. I am wondering if its worth putting larger tires on it?

I am asking these questions for someone else who owns the vehicle. The owner hates the small tires. Other than that the vehicle seems pretty sturdy to me.

 

[_Rick_]

Larger in which dimension?
Simply adding more sidewall, or increasung wheel diameter in any other way is usually a bad idea, as it requires recalibration of the speedometer and will reduce acceleration in gear.

Wider tires might help in dry conditions, especially if the car has a tendency to lose traction under braking. If not, they'll just add cost, weight, unsprung mass, wund resistance, noise and thus increase fuel consumption and worsen handling and slow acceleration (much less than larger wheels though)

Getting bigger rims and thinner tired will make the wheel look bigger, but add cost, most likely unsprung weight and reduce ride comfort.

Given that the car is ten years old, I would stick to OEM- sized replacements. Put some whitewalls on, if you want the car to look fancier.

 

[Remobz]

Larger in which dimension?
Simply adding more sidewall, or increasung wheel diameter in any other way is usually a bad idea, as it requires recalibration of the speedometer and will reduce acceleration in gear.

Wider tires might help in dry conditions, especially if the car has a tendency to lose traction under braking. If not, they'll just add cost, weight, unsprung mass, wund resistance, noise and thus increase fuel consumption and worsen handling and slow acceleration (much less than larger wheels though)

Getting bigger rims and thinner tired will make the wheel look bigger, but add cost, most likely unsprung weight and reduce ride comfort.

Given that the car is ten years old, I would stick to OEM- sized replacements. Put some whitewalls on, if you want the car to look fancier.

I understand where you are coming from. But putting looks aside, why would Suzuki have a 4X4 with such small tires?

Where I live we have some huge pot holes and I cannot imagine driving on bad roads in a vehicle with such small tires. What was Suzuki thinking?

 

[_Rick_]

Suzuki mostly caters to the budget market.
Small wheels may not look great, but they have many economical advantages, except higher friction losses in the drive train due to higher rotation speeds of those elements at the same road speed.

Compare this car to a Panda 4x4, which is a more recent design of the same mentality:

Those wheels may be a tiny bit larger in every dimension, but not by much. Nonetheless the car works perfectly in its role as a compact, economical on- and off-roader.

A small, light, slow car, doesn't need big tires. And with a good suspension, that low unsprung mass can make for a smooth ride even over rough road surfaces.

 

[Remobz]

Suzuki mostly caters to the budget market.
Small wheels may not look great, but they have many economical advantages, except higher friction losses in the drive train due to higher rotation speeds of those elements at the same road speed.

Compare this car to a Panda 4x4, which is a more recent design of the same mentality:

Those wheels may be a tiny bit larger in every dimension, but not by much. Nonetheless the car works perfectly in its role as a compact, economical on- and off-roader.

A small, light, slow car, doesn't need big tires. And with a good suspension, that low unsprung mass can make for a smooth ride even over rough road surfaces.

Good points indeed. However, if I show you some pics of the areas I have to drive in one would be glad for some high tire clearance. Suzuki Ignis is still a solid vehicle though

 

[Tsavo]

This is the welcome opposite of people who put giant tires of their chivvies but never go off road.