What is with low profile tires?

[hostage]

It seems to be a new fad, with more vehicles having low profile tires. The price of the tires are much more and they don't last nearly as long. My g/f just got a new set of tires 1 year ago and put 10k miles on them and they are already kaput! I can understand on some sports cars that have large brakes, but now it seems like every manufacture are putting them on all their premium trim models.

We didn't think much about the rims when we bought the vehicle, but I am going to replace the stock with 16" wheels. We will now be able to buy a cheaper tire and have a more comfortable ride.

On another side rant, I will never understand why someone puts a low profile tire/rim on a SUV or Truck, that is blasphemy!

End Rant...

 

[sasto]

Re: What is with low profile tires?

On another side rant, I will never understand why someone puts a low profile tire/rim on a SUV or Truck, that is blasphemy!

End Rant...

LOL, yup, we have a SUV with 22" rims from factory, but she rides like a Caddy. With the big disc brakes, I believe she needs them. I replaced the tires before their time at 45,000 miles.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: What is with low profile tires?

Yep don't get it.

The worst is lifted trucks with huge low profile tires- useless, why don't you just cut a c notch in your frame if your in the mood to wreak your truck.

 

[avenger79]

Re: What is with low profile tires?

cause they look kewl (cool)

that was complete sarcasm. I don't like them at all.

 

[JB]

Re: What is with low profile tires?

I agree with avenger ^^. They look like the guys at Tonka ran out of wheels and went to the clown cars for replacements.

Every generation has its own way to look silly and flip off the older generations. Huge wheels with rubber bands around them is just one of the latest.

 

[lncoop]

Re: What is with low profile tires?

I agree with avenger ^^. They look like the guys at Tonka ran out of wheels and went to the clown cars for replacements.

Every generation has its own way to look silly and flip off the older generations. Huge wheels with rubber bands around them is just one of the latest.

I agree. Absolutely ridiculous. I much prefer something like this.
http://pages.jchris.couchone.com/pages/donk/donk2.jpg

 

[bruceb58]

Re: What is with low profile tires?

Low profile tires on trucks is pretty ridiculous. Even less reason to have them on a tow vehicle. Very easy to break a rim on a pot hole with low profile tires.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: What is with low profile tires?

It seems to be a new fad, with more vehicles having low profile tires. The price of the tires are much more and they don't last nearly as long. My g/f just got a new set of tires 1 year ago and put 10k miles on them and they are already kaput! I can understand on some sports cars that have large brakes, but now it seems like every manufacture are putting them on all their premium trim models.

We didn't think much about the rims when we bought the vehicle, but I am going to replace the stock with 16" wheels. We will now be able to buy a cheaper tire and have a more comfortable ride.

On another side rant, I will never understand why someone puts a low profile tire/rim on a SUV or Truck, that is blasphemy!

End Rant...

Why?
Style, brake size, and to improve handling.
I also think its to aggravate the guy removing/installing the tires (its fun mounting a 40 series tire without scratching each $500+ dollar rim :facepalm: )

I also agree low profiles look silly on a truck.

 

[hostage]

Re: What is with low profile tires?

Well...it gets worst lol...http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1594874

 

[bruceb58]

Re: What is with low profile tires?

Low profile tires has nothing to do with size of the brakes. The total diameter of the tire usually remains the same as the low profile tire sits on a larger diameter rim.

 

[jtmarten]

Re: What is with low profile tires?

Low profile tires has nothing to do with size of the brakes. The total diameter of the tire usually remains the same as the low profile tire sits on a larger diameter rim.

Sure it does, in some cases. The O.D. remains the same, but the I.D. increases with larger rims. I can't fit 15" wheels on my BMW 540i, but run 16" snows and staggered 18" summer/perf without brake issues, same O.D. for the 16's and 18's. The same series M5's can't use 16" wheels due to brake caliper clearance.

 

[jkust]

Re: What is with low profile tires?

It also seems that vehicles are coming with larger and larger oem rims as well. Some of the domestic crossovers have 20" rims from the factory. I've gotta think those tires are expensive.

 

[QC]

Re: What is with low profile tires?

While I agree with most of this thread, and think they are ridiculous on off-road vehicles for example, there are at least 2 technical reasons that low pros are used and they both are derived from the same thing, uh . . the low profile. They started switching to lower profile tires on heavy trucks 30 something years ago, and I guarantee they didn't do it because they look cool. Low Profile tires flex less, so if all else is equal (like width) they should result in better fuel economy. Annnnnd, same goes for handling, if they flex less, they theoretically can be made to handle better.

I would also say that the wear thing is not due to low profile, but many mega money lo pros that are designed for really high end performance cars are also pretty sticky i.e. soft . . .

 

[bruceb58]

Re: What is with low profile tires?

Sure it does, in some cases. The O.D. remains the same, but the I.D. increases with larger rims. I can't fit 15" wheels on my BMW 540i, but run 16" snows and staggered 18" summer/perf without brake issues, same O.D. for the 16's and 18's. The same series M5's can't use 16" wheels due to brake caliper clearance.

True. What I meant is that the larger wheels don't cause the brakes to have to increase size. What is interesting about the trucks is that the same model of Caddilac Escalade that uses low profile tires is the same vehicle in a Yukon that doesn't have to have low profile tires but is the exact same vehicle.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: What is with low profile tires?

Well...it gets worst lol...http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1594874

too funny! but a great example.

 

[sasto]

Re: What is with low profile tires?

I don't wear bling or shoes.....but my tow vehicle does.... 22" rims. To each their own!

 

[avenger79]

Re: What is with low profile tires?

I don't wear bling or shoes.....but my tow vehicle does.... 22" rims. To each their own!

i knew there would be at least one here that had 'em. LOL can hardly notice them in that pic though, the pretty girls distract you.

 

[Cofe]

Re: What is with low profile tires?

I like them on sports cars, and some regular passenger cars, but not so much on trucks.

I was at the tire shop and this young man was putting 4 emergency spare tires on some skinny $500.oo rims. I couldn't help myself and laughed....

 

[5150abf]

Re: What is with low profile tires?

holy crap, is that coming back?

I remember that from years ago, shoehorning on tires that are half the rim width.

I am in way North Indiana and we have a considerable amount of Mexicans up here and it seems they were in a batle to see who could get the lowest profile widest tires on there trucks, it looks rediculous having your tires sticking 4''-5'' out of the wheels wells.

Now it is all about the big rims, seems kinda silly to me but I am old.

 

[FishyFish]

Re: What is with low profile tires?

With Low Profile Tires do you get Less Tread? I'm just asking.....My impression is Less Sidewalls.
If you had Low Profiles I don't think you'd take it off-road.....I'm just saying............ But each his own.