What is the attraction of low profile tires?

[TitanDiddly]

I don't get it. Do they offer something more than aesthetics? I mean, if you live somewhere with any bad roads at all, you're taking a major risk of rim damage. Why would someone take that risk just for the 'looks cool' factor? What's the bonus? Weight?

 

[iamaelephant]

They offer a lot more control by dampening the road less. Weight isn't generally an issue because most people who use low profile tyres also have huge 17 - 18" wheels that weight a lot more than the stock wheels, negating any handling or weight advantages. Basically it's wank factor for most cars on the road.

 

[vi edit]

Lower sidewalls provide better grip & handling around curves because they don't compress as much.

 

[sygyzy]

What is the attraction of large tires?

 

[miri]

i have them on my scion tc and do not like them. i like my car that gets 31mpg highway with airconditioner and large hatchback area, but i dont like the tires. They also cost more to replace.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Lower sidewalls provide better grip & handling around curves because they don't compress as much.

 

[TitanDiddly]

Originally posted by: LordSegan

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Lower sidewalls provide better grip & handling around curves because they don't compress as much.

What kind of driving are the owners of low profile tires doing on a regular basis that this would be worth the risk?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

What is the attraction of low profile tires?

wtf, learn2physics

- M4H

 

[swtethan]

Originally posted by: TitanDiddly

Originally posted by: LordSegan

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Lower sidewalls provide better grip & handling around curves because they don't compress as much.

What kind of driving are the owners of low profile tires doing on a regular basis that this would be worth the risk?

30+mph 90 degree corners, lol

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
What is the attraction of large tires?

Ground clearance.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: TitanDiddly

Originally posted by: LordSegan

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Lower sidewalls provide better grip & handling around curves because they don't compress as much.

What kind of driving are the owners of low profile tires doing on a regular basis that this would be worth the risk?

Most people? None really. For most people it's an image/appearance thing. That and a 75 series profile tire sitting on an 18" rim just won't fit in the wheel wells of some cars

 

[tfinch2]

It has the same attraction as youtube. :roll:

 

[Toastedlightly]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: TitanDiddly

Originally posted by: LordSegan

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Lower sidewalls provide better grip & handling around curves because they don't compress as much.

What kind of driving are the owners of low profile tires doing on a regular basis that this would be worth the risk?

Most people? None really. For most people it's an image/appearance thing. That and a 75 series profile tire sitting on an 18" rim just won't fit in the wheel wells of some cars

Well, illegal street racing bits (with cars that actually can go), is about it. Maybe legal track racing or something.

 

[Ilmater]

Coming from someone that generally doesn't like a lot of the things people do to cars, some low profile tires - ON A CAR, never a truck - look very nice if done right. I have nothing against them. There's nothing wrong with "risking" rim damage to make your car look nice. There are some advantages, technically. Ground effects can also get messed up, but people use them anyway, and if done right, they look nice.

 

[rbV5]

What I don't get is low profile tires on 4WD trucks. My Sorento had 20" chrome rims and low profile street tires on the lot..LOL I had had them pull em off and put the stock alloys and all terrain tires back on...saved $2500 too

 

[jlee]

If you buy (almost) any modern performance car, does it not come with low profile tires from the factory?

Originally posted by: rbV5
What I don't get is low profile tires on 4WD trucks. My Sorento had 20" chrome rims and low profile street tires on the lot..LOL I had had them pull em off and put the stock alloys and all terrain tires back on...saved $2500 too

Some people forget that trucks are meant to have bigger tires..not wheels.

 

[kaizersose]

low profile tires are used because they dont flex as much as a standard tire. there is actually a new tire put out that used carbon fiber reinforcement in the sidewalls to keep them stiff without making them low profile (and therefore sacrificing ride quality).

 

[jlee]

IIRC, the latest Motor Trend mentioned that the Michelin Pilot PS2s only expand 2-3mm at 200mph.. :Q

 

[OrganizedChaos]

Originally posted by: CadetLee
If you buy (almost) any modern performance car, does it not come with low profile tires from the factory?

Originally posted by: rbV5
What I don't get is low profile tires on 4WD trucks. My Sorento had 20" chrome rims and low profile street tires on the lot..LOL I had had them pull em off and put the stock alloys and all terrain tires back on...saved $2500 too

Some people forget that trucks are meant to have bigger tires..not wheels.

doubt it, my local tire place won't even warrenty the things.

 

[JDrake]

they're cooler

 

[wetcat007]

The biggest thing I think is that they look cool, but they do offer a big better control too. Trucks however having big rims is mostly for looks.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: OrganizedChaos

Originally posted by: CadetLee
If you buy (almost) any modern performance car, does it not come with low profile tires from the factory?

Originally posted by: rbV5
What I don't get is low profile tires on 4WD trucks. My Sorento had 20" chrome rims and low profile street tires on the lot..LOL I had had them pull em off and put the stock alloys and all terrain tires back on...saved $2500 too

Some people forget that trucks are meant to have bigger tires..not wheels.

doubt it, my local tire place won't even warrenty the things.

Ever check the rubber on a Porsche? Viper? Corvette? Most BMWs? Low profile, my friend.

 

[rbV5]

Originally posted by: CadetLee

Originally posted by: OrganizedChaos

Originally posted by: CadetLee
If you buy (almost) any modern performance car, does it not come with low profile tires from the factory?

Originally posted by: rbV5
What I don't get is low profile tires on 4WD trucks. My Sorento had 20" chrome rims and low profile street tires on the lot..LOL I had had them pull em off and put the stock alloys and all terrain tires back on...saved $2500 too

Some people forget that trucks are meant to have bigger tires..not wheels.

doubt it, my local tire place won't even warrenty the things.

Ever check the rubber on a Porsche? Viper? Corvette? Most BMWs? Low profile, my friend.

My Tiburon has low profile, appropriate, warranted tires from the factory.

 

[soydios]

Yes...they are cooler.
I don't know why Mercedes uses wide low-profile tires. Ever notice that Lexus tires are normal width and medium profile? It's because the normal width means less road noise, and the medium profile means less jarring bumps.
More sporty-type car brands (and the exotic sports cars) use wide low-profile tires to get extra cornering grip. It's why racecars have such high tire pressures (BMW 5 series: 30psi for road duty, 45psi for the track), it's because the sidewalls flex less. Less sidewall flex = better cornering.

 

[SampSon]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Lower sidewalls provide better grip & handling around curves because they don't compress as much.

I don't see many professional racecars using low profile tires at all.