Wider Tyres Worse In The Wet?????

[Dnk]

I have 265 and 295 wide tyres on my car and on 19's, i dont have any problems that i read about on here with guys spinning off at islands at sub 30 mph etc etc

 

I think either you cant drive, haven't allowed for the conditions, have cheap tyres, worn out tyres, and or a badly out of line car as far as the geometry is concerned.

 

Or you've been really unlucky and hit either a diesel or other kind of slippy surface which cant be allowed for.

 

I do agree though if you hit standing water with wide tyres youll have more fun than with smaller width tyres as they will obviously cut throught the water better due to a smaller surface area.

 

Thats why rally cars use narrow wheels and tyres on snow as it does the same thing.

Edited November 5, 2009 by Dnk (see edit history)

[Ythomit]

I put Nankang EX 500s on at the begining of last summer and they were fine during the winter too. However, since the rain this year I have been sliding all over the place, even with no applied power. The tread is still 4mm so I would not have expected such deteroration in wet grip. I won't get Nankang again.

[Scott]

No way. It's going to make a huge difference. Have you ever tried? Also, in most cases (if you can control you right foot) it's gonna be the fronts thats the important ones in the snow. I had winter tyres on my old Supra. That did sooooooo much of a difference compared to very good summer tyres. Even tried different brands and types over the years. There were differences but they were marginal compared to the step from summer to winter tyres.

 

If you drive your car in the snow and don't have winter tyres, you are just playing hazard with your own and other peoples lives.

 

Of course i have. I've driven my car in all kinds of weather. I drive appropriately for the conditions though. I'm not looking to accelerate in the wet or in the snow etc. My car has 245 fronts and 265 rears and always has. The tyres i had on the wheels were absolutely terrible and i still managed to potter about in the snow. My tyres were the worst brands you could imagine too.

 

I've never had a problem driving in any condition, I tend to remember what is under my right foot though. A lot of people think its a switch.

 

I've got winter wheels now with michelin tyres on. I'll report back on them after the winter.

 

My only other experience is falkens & continental. There was no contest in control of the car. Braking was VERY similar though. It made very little difference. What I can tell you is that i could steer, helped a lot lol. Thats just my opinion though.

[bodilx6]

Interesting. Looking forward to a report on the michelins

 

As mentioned I had very different feelings from Goodyear summers to winters. The summers were just like walking on ice as soon as there were snow. The winters were soooo much better in the snow, but only in the snow. My dad liked to winters in the dry as well though, but that was due to them being much softer ang "springy". But then again, he also likes a Lincoln Towncar...

[Ythomit]

I put Nankang EX 500s on at the begining of last summer and they were fine during the winter too. However, since the rain this year I have been sliding all over the place, even with no applied power. The tread is still 4mm so I would not have expected such deteroration in wet grip. I won't get Nankang again.

 

Sorry, just discovered I have a locked brake caliper on the NS rear which was PROBABLY causing the extra arsyness