| a different size tire, it makes the shape of the contact patch change. I learned from a recent TT.net post that actually the contact patch size (square area) doesn't actually change, just the shape. Here's something I found on another site that discusses it: "Is wider better? Your tire's contact patch is actually the only part of your vehicle to make contact with the road. A wider contact patch is usually matched with a shorter length contact patch. This gives you better handling characteristics on dry roads but does not work as effectively on extremely wet or snow covered roads. This wider area will actually allow the vehicle to ride on top of the snow. A narrower tread pattern while not a responsive on dry roads will actually be better suited to extremely wet or snowy conditions. The contact patch is narrower but longer which in a sense cuts through the snow better. Again the trade-off issue." And something else I came across:
"I recently read an article that put into question much of what I believed about tires. First off, the article suggested that the contact patch of wider tires, given the same diameter and inflation pressure does not change. OK, that was hard to swallow, but perhaps it makes sense, for instance a 4"x6" contact patch might become a 3"x8" on a wider tire as they are both using the same inflation rate to support the 750lbs that is placed on the tire. The article goes on to state that additional traction primarily comes from a wider tires ability to disperse heat. "
My Z at CarDomain (I know, but it's free) |
08:49:56 04/09/04
