What is the Difference Between High and Low Profile Tires?
There are always questions about what tires are best for your vehicle and circumstances. The growing trend is to have a sporty look to your vehicle, and when you discuss this you think of low profile tires. But because most people don’t have the faintest idea of what “low profile” truly means, it might not be the best kind of tire for their type of vehicle. The appearance of the tire is just one thing to consider as you pick your perfect tires.
A low profile tire may look better than a high profile tire, but what about safety? Compare to high profile tires, low profile tires had a wider width and are much lower to the ground. When you are driving down the highway at high speed, are you going to be more concerned with safety or aesthetics? After all, they are the only thing separating your car from the ground. If you are planning on speeding down the highway, it will do you much more good to have high quality tires.
The most important thing you should think about when buying tires is how much grip and traction you will be able to get out of them. With high profile tire, there will be a longer contact path from the car to the road, and the contact path is shorter in the instance of low profile tires. So what does this path of connection actually mean to you and the vehicle that you are driving?
You have to consider quite a few factors as you contemplate the tire you want to go with. These different tire types will dictate how your car drives on the road. If your car has a wider tire, you will have more force. The higher tires inhibit the turning radius, and are poorly developed to handle side load.
Also, the rim of the tire will mostly be made up of the rubber of the tire, which is something else to consider. Therefore, your car has a far bigger tire than otherwise. As the driver of the automobile, the larger tires means a great deal. With the implementation of larger rims and tires, you must have heavier breaks. You want greater stopping power in order to stop these larger wheels, in order for your car to be safe.
However, there are a few disadvantages that come with having this type of tires that must be considered. For example, if the original design of your vehicle was built for a narrower tire, your car very likely won’t be very safe or stable if you put low profile tires on it. A wide tire on a automobile with short tire walls will ensure a rough ride. After all, the ride will be far rougher, which will tear up your car and leave you and your passengers uncomfortable.
If you are considering low profile tires because of a desire to improve the vehicle handling, think again, you can still get a quality response by taking into account your entire vehicle. Low profile tires were designed with specific roads in mind, the roadways we typically use do not require these type of tires. However, if you live in an area that has a lot of twists and turns, such as Ireland or England, you might want to look into those low profile tires after all.
Daniel Akinson is a former mechanic and self-proclaimed gear-head. To learn more about dunlop atv tires and mud tires for sale be sure to visit us at MudKingTires.