How does tyre width impact handling?
How tyre width affects handling
Different tyre widths can affect how a vehicle is handled in varying conditions, such as dry, wet, or cold. Depending on the type of driving, a driver will need to select a different tyre width for optimal performance.
Wider tyres in dry conditions
Wider tyres provide a greater contact patch with the road, which improves almost every dry condition when driving, including:
- Improved cornering grip and lateral stability
- Improved dry braking performance
- Improved steering responsiveness and precision
Wider tyres in wet conditions
When it comes to adverse weather conditions, such as wet conditions, the opposite is true of wider tyres. As opposed to narrow tyres, wider tyres increase the chance of aquaplaning, which is when the tyre loses contact with the road because the water is not adequately dispersed under the tyre.
Narrower tyres
In the rain and snow, narrower tyres perform better than wider tyres because they can slice through water better and less slush can build up. In addition, narrower tyres are typically more comfortable than wider tyres because they have higher sidewalls and create less road noise.
What we recommend
You should always adhere to manufacturer-approved tyre widths for your vehicle. Aside from compromising handling, safety, and system accuracy, going outside the approved range may affect the suspension geometry, steering calibration, and electronic stability systems of the vehicle.
