Sidewall vs. Width Which provides more traction - Team-2G Mitsubishi Forum

slowwdsm · 08-09-2007, 12:06 AM

I'm wondering what is going to provide more straight line traction assuming same tire for both sizes. A 245/45/17 or a 255/40/17? What's the "rule" for when sidewall overcomes width or vice versa?

Boosted SuFi · 08-09-2007, 01:41 AM

i thot the more to the ground you can get, meant more traction.

TuNaDaMan · 08-09-2007, 02:33 AM

there's a rule now? how about the more tire you got in contact with the ground (wider tires) the more traction you get, simple enough right?

President95 · 08-09-2007, 03:37 AM

Look at drag cars. They are running a lot of sidewall. For straightline, you don't want a tire with a stiff as sidewall. Good luck fitting a tire as tall as a 245/45/17. I was thinking somewhere along the line of a 245/45 on a 16x8 wheel, but I don't do a lot (or any really) drag racing. I would get in contact with Jeff (forgot his SN on here) and seek his advice. His 1g is in the 10's, and Im sure he has a good opinion.

TSG59_Steve · 08-09-2007, 08:02 AM

I would expect it to be a combo of both.

slowwdsm · 08-09-2007, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by President95

Look at drag cars. They are running a lot of sidewall. For straightline, you don't want a tire with a stiff as sidewall. Good luck fitting a tire as tall as a 245/45/17. I was thinking somewhere along the line of a 245/45 on a 16x8 wheel, but I don't do a lot (or any really) drag racing. I would get in contact with Jeff (forgot his SN on here) and seek his advice. His 1g is in the 10's, and Im sure he has a good opinion.

245/45/17 isn't so bad I have it on my car now.

I know more sidewall is better for traction, but what I'm asking is with a 245/45/17 will I get equal traction as with a 255/40/17? Which loses sidewall, but gains width. Does that extra width make up for the aspect ratio that was lost and get equal traction? Or is it worse the same? This is what I'm trying to figure out.

slowwdsm · 08-09-2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TuNaDaMan

there's a rule now? how about the more tire you got in contact with the ground (wider tires) the more traction you get, simple enough right?

I wish it were that simple if that was the case I'd be running 255/30/17

7inchexhaust · 08-09-2007, 02:22 PM

you should contact someone from a tire manf. company and ask them for insight.

slowwdsm · 08-09-2007, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7inchexhaust

you should contact someone from a tire manf. company and ask them for insight.

Yea good point, that sig is something SERIOUS

Attack Eagle · 08-09-2007, 10:48 PM

The taller the sidewall the larger the foot print is fore and aft.
the larger the tread width (not to be confused with section width which is the first number XXX/45/17) the larger teh contact are is side to side.

IN the example above the increase in fore and aft contact patch on such a low pro tire is unlikely to match the increase of the proably larger treadwidth of the larger section width one.