Understanding wheel terminology...

[InlineFive]

Hello all.

What are the advantages to larger and smaller wheels? And what do the part numbers mean?

Part in point: 225/50/16

Thanks!

-Por

 

[mugs]

larger wheels are the bling bling

They're also usually heavier and the weight is farther from the center of the wheel (physics class tells me this is not good). But tires with a shorter sidewall also usually have a stronger sidewall, which improves handling. But I think most people who put big wheels on their cars do it because they think it looks good - same with spoilers.

 

[minendo]

http://www.pepboys.com/learning_center/car_care/articles/tire_markings.html

 

[iluvtruenos]

Smaller wheel:

More torque, starts off the line faster. Usually faster accel, slower top speed. Usually wheel's lighter so suspension can it's job better.

Larger wheel:

Opposite.

 

[DaTT]

225 is the width, 50 is the profile (sidewall), 16 is the rim size it will fit on.

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: DaTT
225 is the width, 50 is the profile (sidewall), 16 is the rim size it will fit on.

So...

Smaller wheel = Better (more vroom, vroom)
Bigger wheel = Worse (higher top speed, better mileage)

More width = Better (more grip)
Less width = Worse

Sidewall = ???

 

[mchammer]

Why would a smaller wheel affect top speed? Also, the profile number is a percentage of the width.

 

[mchammer]

Sidewall height and stiffness will affect the ride quality and responsiveness of the tires.

 

[Tremulant]

Originally posted by: PorBleemo

Originally posted by: DaTT
225 is the width, 50 is the profile (sidewall), 16 is the rim size it will fit on.

So...

Smaller wheel = Better (more vroom, vroom)
Bigger wheel = Worse

More width = Better (more grip)
Less width = Worse

Sidewall = ???

sidewall = ride comfort/looks. less sidewall means you feel more of the bumps and crap on the road, but usually it looks nicer. larger sidewall means the ride is more comfortable and a larger tire.

IIRC, sidewall is a percentage.

so, 225/50/16 would mean the tire is 225mm wide and the sidewall is 50% of that.

edit: mchammer beat me. can't touch that.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: mchammer
Why would a smaller wheel affect top speed? Also, the profile number is a percentage of the width.

your engine can only turn so many rpm and your top gear is only so large, so, with a smaller rollout on the smaller wheel, your top speed in each gear will be lower.

 

[iluvtruenos]

Smaller wheel - more rotations to get the same distance.

Larger wheel covers more length in one rotation. Don't believe me? Take a CD and a quarter and make one full rotation on a table. Which one goes farther?

 

[Pepsi90919]

edit: mchammer beat me. can't touch that.

lol

 

[mchammer]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: mchammer
Why would a smaller wheel affect top speed? Also, the profile number is a percentage of the width.

your engine can only turn so many rpm and your top gear is only so large, so, with a smaller rollout on the smaller wheel, your top speed in each gear will be lower.

Oh. I see. That would also assume a horsepower limited rather than aerodynamically limited top speed. Although any change in wheel diameter from stock would change all of the gear ratios. Personally I dont like really low profile tires that much. I think they are not appropriate for many cars they are put on.