Low Profile Tires

[chris.j.marshall]

Re: Low Profile Tires

I like the "athletes on steroids" analagy. I've always thought of trucks and body on frame SUVs wearing the big wheels as athletes wearing ladies high heels.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Low Profile Tires

I just don't see the point in compromising a street car for track use when the car will probably never see a racetrack. Nascar does not even use tires close to these absurd aspect ratios...they use from 52% to 62% aspect ratios with 6.5” sidewalls. AND they have only 15" wheels and room for plenty of brake.

I've taken advantage of those brakes and tires on a daily basis...though stock Reatta brake calipers suck anyway being famous for rattling that cannot be cured

 

[NYBo]

Re: Low Profile Tires

There is probably a positive impact on CAFE ratings as well

I went from the stock 19" wheels on my Pacifica to stock 17" due to the greater selection of tires in 17". Same width and outside diameter. The 17" wheels & tires saved me 5# per corner.

 

[lexer440]

Re: Low Profile Tires

I beleive that when you have gotton your low pro's up to your dersired speed and the cop signals you to land. The larger wheel allows for a much more efficient braking system and the larger discs are better able to cool and eliminate the risk of "brake fade". its not all about better handling, that said i think the performance factor will not come into play if your using them as bling magnets on your escalade, its hardly a performance machine.

 

[Alan_Scott]

Re: Low Profile Tires

Sometimes, you just gotta have the low pro's

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Low Profile Tires

The "Rolling resistance" is far less on a lo pro than your standard "fat" tire. Automakers are looking for every ounce of energy they can get to improve MPG.

WHile that is true, it is also true that with a tire of the same outside diameter - the wheel tire combo weighs less on a 15" rim than a 17" rim. Rotating mass kills fuel economy, so your rolling resistance is at best a wash.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Low Profile Tires

WHile that is true, it is also true that with a tire of the same outside diameter - the wheel tire combo weighs less on a 15" rim than a 17" rim. Rotating mass kills fuel economy, so your rolling resistance is at best a wash.

I swapped out some tires this summer on a rig I was selling to change the eye appeal, I swapped the stock 15 in wheels and tires for a 17 in aluminum wheel and low profile tire combo, the stock wheels and tires weighed about 26 pounds more than the 17 in aluminum and lo pro tires.

The kicker is, it had set for about a month with little interest, once I swapped, I sold it in 48 hours and recovered the cost of the new wheels and tires, I had to raise the price to cover the new tire cost, but it worked out great for me and the guy that bought it, loves it.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Low Profile Tires

I swapped out some tires this summer on a rig I was selling to change the eye appeal, I swapped the stock 15 in wheels and tires for a 17 in aluminum wheel and low profile tire combo, the stock wheels and tires weighed about 26 pounds more than the 17 in aluminum and lo pro tires.

The kicker is, it had set for about a month with little interest, once I swapped, I sold it in 48 hours and recovered the cost of the new wheels and tires, I had to raise the price to cover the new tire cost, but it worked out great for me and the guy that bought it, loves it.

Well - that may be the case, but for a similar style wheel the smaller rim combo is lighter. If that was on a truck I would be extremely concerned that somehow you lost 26 lbs when switching to the aluminum rims. I'd make sure they actually are load rated for the vehicle you put them on.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Low Profile Tires

Well - that may be the case, but for a similar style wheel the smaller rim combo is lighter. If that was on a truck I would be extremely concerned that somehow you lost 26 lbs when switching to the aluminum rims. I'd make sure they actually are load rated for the vehicle you put them on.

Believe me, I made sure everything is up to snuff before I did the swap, besides my stint in the Military, one of my hobbies was racing cars, so I am well aware, everything is up to the standards it needs to be.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Low Profile Tires

i rotate tires all day, i can never tell untill i lift a tire what it is going to weigh. some of the big fat balloon tires are light, and some low pros will make you grunt, run flats are the heaviest. i carry the 15s on the prius and yaris 1 handed and just swap em out