Continue Reading. January 17, May 03, What Do the Numbers on Tires Mean? On that note, we thought it fitting to debunk this number and tell you exactly what it means.
What are Alloy Wheels and what advantages do they have? Driving with staggered wheels on a 4WD vehicle can damage the powertrain and suspension. Although not a problem in RWD vehicles, the smaller wheels in the front will spin faster than the larger wheels in the rear. This can lead the car to think those tires are losing traction and could cause the vehicle to perform in unexpected ways. Installing staggered wheels on a front-wheel-drive vehicle can be considered dangerous.
Front-wheel drive vehicles are already prone to understeer and installing staggered wheels will only increase the chances of understeering. You can find staggered wheels in numerous industries outside of the consumer automobile. Off-roading vehicles and tractors also greatly benefit from staggered wheels.
The larger wheels at the rear provide excellent traction on uneven surfaces, while the smaller ones in the front help retain maneuverability.
Unbeknownst to most, airplanes use staggered wheel fitments to improve balance during landings and take-offs. January 7, Jesus Delgado. Purpose The different wheel sizes can help improve the balance of the vehicle. Benefits Wider rear wheels increase the overall surface area contact with the road. Staggered tire setups with smaller width tires at the front axle generally produce understeer near the handling limit.
So in fact, to reduce understeer, neutralize, and optimize limit handling for many performance vehicles, experienced enthusiasts and GT Sports Car race teams often move from a staggered to a square tire setup. This is achieved by increasing the tire width at the front axle to equal the rear. Along with producing more front-end grip when cornering, a square tire setup can also positively influence high-speed stability.
So what are the downsides to a square setup? When transitioning from a staggered to a square tire setup by increasing front axle tire width, drivers may perceive a decrease in responsiveness to steering inputs. Additionally, not everyone will necessarily find the increased front-end grip and altered handling dynamics comfortable or desirable. Aside from optimizing performance in some vehicle applications and contexts, square tire setups have another, very practical advantage over staggered tire setups: Front-rear tire rotation, and therefore improved tire longevity.
Especially if a vehicle is used in a performance context, the ability to flip front for rear tires, and vice-versa based upon wear rates, is a major practical and economic! And even if your car or truck is not used in performance environments, a square tire setup yields the same rotation and longevity advantages with standard long-term use. It comes down to personal preference, and in many cases there is merit to both. Tell us what you drive and we?
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