The smaller 16-inch wheels come with tyres that have larger sidewalls that act as cushions against sharp edges on the roads, like ruts and potholes. While 17-inch tyres look much better, the shorter sidewalls aren’t as good in filtering out road shocks.
Are 17-inch wheels better than 16?
The Quick Answer. Larger 17″ alloy wheels will have give the car sportier handling by improving cornering and stability compared to 16″ wheels. However, 16″ wheels are cheaper and produce less road noise, have better fuel economy and feel more comfortable compared to 17″ wheels.
Can I use 17-inch tires instead of 16?
It might work, but you’ll need lower-profile tyres (the number after the “/” in the tyre size indicates the profile). The ride will be bumpier, and you may need to recalibrate your speedometer.
What’s the difference between r16 and r17 tires?
The differance in sidewall height between stock 16’s and 17’s is pretty minor, and in the same width, the handling should be pretty close…but many 17′ rims are wider…and this can help you get a wider tire, for more grip.
Do smaller tires give a better ride?
As a general rule, bigger wheels result in a rougher ride. Switching to a smaller wheel and a thicker tire can give you a smoother ride without any major modifications to your car.
Do bigger tires save gas?
For example, larger tires decrease your fuel economy because they are heavier, while smaller tires increase fuel efficiency. Bigger tires also have a higher rolling resistance than smaller tires which means they require more resistance and effort to get them rolling.
Do bigger wheels affect ride quality?
In general, bigger wheels on any type of vehicle make the ride quality stiffer. However, they also improve stability and handling greatly. There are ways to have both smooth ride quality and good stability and handling.
Are 17-inch wheels good?
Subjectively, both the 17-inch and 18-inch wheels and tires were in the sweet spot of grip, braking performance, ride comfort, and steering feel. Moving from 17-inchers to 18s barely degrades ride quality, and the additional grip is welcome.
Is bigger wheel size better?
Overall, bigger tires and wheels are better for increasing your vehicle’s traction.
What happens when you increase tire size?
Wider Tire
It results in a wider contact patch which provides better lateral grip, more grip on hard braking, less vehicle roll in corners and gives an improved, low-profile cosmetic appearance. This type of change in tire size can also benefit trucks, SUVs and crossover vehicles.
Do bigger wheels affect speed?
Increasing the wheel diameter will also increase the final reduction ratio, which has two consequences: acceleration potential is decreased, but a higher top speed is reached. In other words, the bigger the tires on a car, the slower it will accelerate, but it will have higher top speeds.
What size wheel is best for off roading?
For off-road performance, we prefer to stick to the rule of thumb of running a wheel diameter no bigger than half the tire height. That typically means 15 or 16-inch wheels for 33s and 17-inch wheels for 35s or so. If you want sufficient sidewall flex on the trail, stay away from lower-profile tires.
What is the benefit of larger diameter wheels?
Depending on the type of vehicle the tyres are mounted on, a wider diameter rather than a standard measure will improve stiffness and, consequently, safety while driving; Bigger wheels will also increase the maximum load of the car.
What tire gives the smoothest ride?
Traction tires, which feature tall tread blocks, typically experience increased noise as air circulates through the grooves and gaps in the tread pattern. High-performance tires can reduce road noise, though Touring tires are commonly associated with the smoothest ride.
Why do I feel every bump in the road?
Feeling every bump
If you start to feel every bump on the road, it’s a clear sign that there is a problem with your shock absorbers or struts, that needs to be checked. An easy check is the bounce test. Simply push your entire weight down on your car’s bonnet. Release and count the number of times the car bounces.
Does changing tire size affect transmission?
Essentially when you increase your tire and/or rim size you are changing the ratio of all the components involved in making your vehicle stop and go. This includes the drivetrain, transmission, brake system, and all the associated parts within those systems.
References:
- https://autocarehq.com/16-vs-17-inch-wheels-which-size-is-best/
- https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5074530
- https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/tires-wheels-and-brakes/224792-advantage-of-16-vs-17-tire-wheel.html
- https://www.autotrader.com/car-tips/want-a-smoother-ride-change-your-wheel-and-tire-size-213549
- https://burtbrothers.com/blog/how-do-wheels-affect-gas-mileage/
- https://www.mbscottsdale.com/blog/do-bigger-wheels-make-my-car-ride-smoother/
- https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15130598/upsized-wheels-tires/
- https://www.caranddriver.com/research/a31880070/wheel-size/
- https://generaltire.com/talk-shop/can-i-change-size-my-tires-0
- https://rnrtires.com/blog/how-does-your-cars-wheel-size-affect-its-performance/
- https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/1511-how-wheel-size-affects-off-road-performance/
- https://www.pirelli.com/global/en-ww/road/how-does-wheel-size-condition-the-performance-of-your-car
- https://sensibledriver.com/article/smoother-rides-start-with-the-right-tread
- https://www.moogparts.eu/blog/suspension-problems.html
- https://www.aamcocolorado.com/increasing-tire-size-can-wear-your-drivetrain-transmission/