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Answer Posted by Herb Hirsch [Email] (#114) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Herb Hirsch) on Sat, 6 Oct 2012 09:53:57 In Reply to: Can I use 1 size smaller for Tires?, Steve Holmes, Sat, 6 Oct 2012 08:59:11 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Steve:
I've broken the answer into a few categories.
SAFETY: Carefully research the load rating for the tires you're thinking of mounting on the car. Tire Rack would be a good source for this info. 700 - 1000 lbs should be added to the weight of your car and compared to the load rating for the tires you're thinking of mounting. If the tires are not adequate in this category this factor would trump all other considerations.
SPEEDOMETER: When your speedometer is indicating 60 mph your actual speed will be 56.6 mph. This means that your odometer will also be off by a corresponding amount. 1,000 miles traveled (indicated on the odometer) will actually be 943 miles.
Performance: Acceleration will probably be slightly better; handling will probably slip a little due to the smaller tire footprint. I can't quantify this.
BRAKING DISTANCE: A mixed bag. The braking distance on dry pavement may increase a little; however, the braking distance on wet pavement may decrease a little due to the smaller tire footprint.
FUEL ECONOMY: This will probably suffer a little because the wheels have to turn faster/more to cover the same distance.
CLOSING COMMENT: SAFETY should be your primary concern. Research the tire's load rating versus the weight of your car with 700-1,000 lbs added for people and stuff.
Herb Hirsch
South Brunswick, NJ
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