Choosing the Right Wheel Width for Your Vehicle
The width of your wheels is a critical factor when it comes to driving performance and overall vehicle handling. It goes hand-in-hand with wheel offset in determining how your wheels will fit under your vehicle’s guards and the types of tyres you can use.
How Wheel Width Impacts Performance
The width of your wheels can significantly influence your vehicle’s performance, ride comfort, and traction:
Narrower Wheels: Tend to provide improved ride comfort and better cornering performance in wet conditions. However, they require narrower tyres, which may reduce dry traction.
Wider Wheels: Allow for wider tyres, generally improving dry traction and off-road performance for 4WD vehicles. But, they might compromise wet cornering and ride comfort.
How Wheel Width Affects Tyre Selection
Wheel width directly impacts the width of tyres that you should fit onto your vehicle. Here are some potential consequences of mismatched wheel and tyre widths:
Wider Wheels, Narrower Tyres: This can lead to more vibration and a reduction in ride comfort, as the tyre sidewalls are under increased tension.
Narrower Wheels, Wider Tyres: This may result in poor handling due to the tyres distorting sideways more when cornering.
Importance of Correct Wheel Width
Getting the wheel width right is vital for your vehicle’s performance and your overall driving experience. It ensures optimal handling and prevents issues related to tyre and wheel mismatch. When selecting your wheel width, consider your driving conditions, your vehicle’s specifications, and your personal comfort preferences.
Not sure what’s right for you?
Selecting the right wheel width for your vehicle can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. Allow our experts to help you find the perfect fit for your vehicle.
