Switch to low profile tires

Website design By BotEap.comLet’s be honest: low-profile tires look great. Big, shiny tires and a small amount of rubber have a big impact on the visual appeal of your car. But there are a few important factors to keep in mind as you contemplate switching from traditional sidewall tires to low-profile ones.

Website design By BotEap.comLow profile tires cannot flex like normal tires because they have less rubber in the sidewall. Due to the excess rubber, you will receive a precise feel when cornering. Less rubber equals better handling. However, less rubber also equals less cushioning. You will notice this when you hit bumps and potholes. The tires will not be able to absorb the impact and you may even notice tire damage if you frequently ride on bumpy roads. If you choose a low-profile tire, you’ll want to make sure the sidewall is smooth to give you some flex. Otherwise you will feel every little rock and bump in the road. If you have extremely low profile tires, those where the sidewall height is 2.5 inches or less, you will need to improve your suspension or else your car will be too unstable to drive.

Website design By BotEap.comIf you’re willing to trade comfort for sharper handling and a modern look, you can choose between a plus one or plus two conversion for your new tires and wheels. A plus one conversion means you will increase the wheel size by one inch and decrease the rim profile by one inch. A plus two conversion gives you a lower profile, increasing the wheel size by two inches and decreasing the rim profile by two inches.

Website design By BotEap.comKeep in mind that you’ll also have to change your real wheels when you switch to these awesome tires. You must maintain the same tread diameter of the new tire as the original tires; Otherwise, your speedometer will be calibrated incorrectly, causing incorrect gear speeds and engine RPM. So a new low-profile tire with the same tread diameter as your current tire needs a larger wheel to fill the space that used to be part of the rubber tire.

Website design By BotEap.comYou may find that new low profile tires are typically 10-20% more expensive than traditional sidewall tires. Also, this type of tire will require more frequent replacement as they wear out before the sidewalls.

Website design By BotEap.comIf you switch to low profile tires, be sure to keep your old tires and rims. Low profiles do not work well in winter conditions and you may want to revert to your original wheels and tires to compensate for driving in these poor conditions. Plus, you may find that your car’s flashy new profile just isn’t worth replacing frequently worn tires and lack of driving comfort. If you’re not happy with their low-profile appearance, you can always go back to using your original rims.