If you are into car modifications, then swapping out your wheels with a larger set is one of the most accessible modifications you can make. The car wheels come in a variety of sizes; having bigger wheels in your car can instantly make your ride look different.
While there are many benefits of having bigger wheels in the car, there are also a number of drawbacks. The choice of having bigger wheels depends on your personal preferences.
For some people, bigger wheels are an advantage; for others, it may be a disadvantage. Before swapping the tires of your car, make sure to get advice from a reputed auto repair mechanic.
Here, we will be looking at some pros and cons of installing bigger wheels in your vehicle so you can make an informed decision.
Types of Big Tires
When talking about installing bigger tires, it is important to know that there are two types of tires in terms of width and height.
Plus-Size Tires
These are those tires that have a larger diameter but are low-profile. It means these tires don’t impact your ground clearance as their height is the same.
Installing plus-size tires can improve your car’s cornering and handling capabilities. However, most people get these tires as they improve the aesthetics of their vehicle.
Up-Size Tires
Up-sizing your vehicle means installing tires that are bigger in terms of diameter and height. These tires increase the ground clearance of your car.
The up-size tires weigh down the wheel assembly, which can affect fuel consumption and increase stress on the transmission and brakes.
Up-sizing can be dangerous, and most people avoid it because it can wear out the car’s suspension system.
Advantages of Bigger Wheels
1) Improved Grip and Traction
The larger the tire is, the more rubber it will have on the road. This means that your car makes better contact with the road, offering better grip and traction.
2) Better Braking
The bigger the tire will be, the more contact area it will have with the road, and the greater will be friction while braking, due to which the braking distance can be significantly reduced.
3) Bigger Tires Look Good
This is the most common reason why people install bigger tires in their cars. Swapping low-profile tires with bigger tires and alloy rims will instantly boost the overall feel of your vehicle and give it a more sporty look.
One of the most significant investments that you can make to make your car look much better is installing some stylish alloy rims with high-profile tires.
4) High Ground Clearance
If you have to turn your car sideways every time you have to pass over a speed breaker or worry that you will scrap the floor of your vehicle when going on a bumpy road, then you should get some high-profile tires.
After you install bigger tires in your car, the shock absorbers have a larger space to absorb vibrations when going on rough terrain.
With bigger tires, your car will gain some extra height, so there are fewer chances of hitting rocks or other elements from the bottom.
That’s the reason why most drivers who like to go on adventures install bigger tires in their cars.
Disadvantages of Installing Bigger Tires in Your Vehicle
1) Fuel Consumption is Increased
As a matter of fact, bigger wheels will have more weight than the usual ones.
When you install bigger tires in your car, then the weight of the car is increased, due to which your engine has to put some extra effort into moving the car, and as a result, fuel consumption is increased.
The wide tires also create more friction with the road as compared to smaller tires.
To overcome this friction, your engine will burn more fuel. So, you have to make frequent stops at the gas station driving a car with bigger tires.
But, if you drive a car with a powerful engine that delivers high horsepower, it will have minimal impact on fuel efficiency.
2) Steering Wheel Becomes Hard
As the bigger tires increase the overall weight of your car, your steering wheel will become harder.
The big tires make it difficult for the driver to steer efficiently, and it will take more time to return to balance after an emergency turn.
If you are someone who likes to accelerate their car faster, then you will have to compromise on acceleration when using bigger tires in your vehicle.
3) Big Tires can Wear Quickly.
As discussed before, your car’s steering wheel has to exert a significant amount of force when you are using bigger tires.
This force scrapes against the surface, which wears out the tire faster. In some cases, if your suspension is not up to the mark, bigger tires will cause greater vibrations in the vehicle, leading to increased stress on the tires.
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