Tires are among the most critical components of your vehicle. Great tires provide an overall smoother driving experience while ensuring your safety. Because of their significance, you may find yourself constantly seeking ways to improve this aspect of your vehicle. One option you may consider doing is tire upsizing.
This article sheds light on tire upsizing, including its benefits and drawbacks. You’ll also learn whether this modification is worth considering based on how it can impact vehicle performance.
What is Tire Upsizing?
Tire upsizing entails installing larger tires on a vehicle than the manufacturer’s recommended or original tire size. The tire’s increased diameter and width can alter a vehicle’s performance and appearance. You may upsize your tires for aesthetic and customization purposes or for practical reasons, such as improving traction and increasing ground clearance.
10 Pros and Cons of Tire Upsizing
Like any upgrade or modification, upsizing car tires presents advantages and disadvantages. The list below will give you a better idea if upsizing your tires is worth it.
Pros:
1. Gives more freedom to customize
There are many choices for tire upsizing, with customization options extending to many categories, such as tire design, tread patterns, and brand preferences. This range of options lets you personalize your car according to your exact needs and preferred aesthetics.
Whether you’re going for a sportier look with low-profile tires, an aggressive off-road appearance with rugged tires, or even a hybrid of style and performance, upsizing ramps you up to a world of possibilities for personalization.
2. Provides extra clearance
One of the primary advantages of upsizing tires is increased ground clearance. It’s beneficial if you are an off-road enthusiast or frequently encounter uneven terrain and obstacles.
With larger tires, there’s more space between the bottom of the vehicle and the ground, reducing the risk of damage to the undercarriage. Extra clearance is also necessary when driving through areas filled with potholes, speed bumps, or curbs.
On top of that, upsized tires make it easier to navigate challenging landscapes.
3. Improves vehicle stance
Upsizing tires can significantly impact a vehicle’s stance and overall appearance. Larger tires often result in a more aggressive and commanding look. The altered stance can also contribute to a sense of stability and confidence when driving, particularly at higher speeds or during cornering. Then again, some drivers appreciate the aesthetic upgrade alone, with the improved vehicle stance as a bonus.
4. Makes handling more efficient
Larger tires can improve handling and cornering stability when you appropriately match the vehicle’s suspension and wheel setup. They also enhance traction, even at high speeds and curves. As a result, you have a more engaging and confident driving experience, particularly in sports cars and performance-oriented vehicles.
5. Offers overall tire grip
Wider tires offer increased surface contact with the road, improving grip in various driving conditions. This benefit extends to acceleration, braking, and cornering, where enhanced tire grip translates into better control and safety.
Plus, larger tires can provide added peace of mind if you drive in areas with harsh weather or challenging terrain. These capabilities are particularly crucial if you own trucks and delivery vehicles.
Cons:
6. Decreased fuel efficiency
Due to the increased size and contact area with the road, upsized tires often have a higher rolling resistance. The engine works harder to overcome this, leading to increased fuel consumption. Over time, this can result in higher fuel costs, a significant drawback if you’re a budget-conscious driver.
7. Increased cost
As for cost, tire upsizing involves purchasing larger and wider tires, which are generally more expensive than standard sizes. Apart from the upsizing cost, you need to spend money on modifying the vehicle’s suspension, wheels, or wheel wells to accommodate the larger tires. These added fees can make tire upsizing costly, potentially downplaying the benefits of the upgrade.
8. Compromised riding quality
Bigger tires can result in a harsher ride quality. The increased tire size and width can transmit more road imperfections, bumps, and vibrations into the vehicle’s cabin. On uneven or rough road surfaces, this translates to a less comfortable ride for you or your passengers. The compromise in ride quality can diminish overall driving comfort, particularly during long journeys.
9. Inaccurate speedometer readings
Upsized tires often have a different circumference than the original ones. This change in tire size can cause the speedometer to display an inaccurate speed reading. The faster you’re driving, the more inaccurate your speedometer reading is.
Incorrect speedometer readings can lead to critical issues, as driving at an unintentionally higher or lower speed than indicated can result in traffic violations and safety concerns.
10. Weighted steering feel
The additional weight of larger tires can make the steering feel heavier and less responsive, too. So, you may need to exert more effort to turn the wheel, especially at lower speeds and during parking maneuvers. A weighted steering feel can also lead to driving fatigue and may be less desirable if you prefer a lighter and more agile steering experience.
Should You Upsize Your Tires?
Like any other vehicle alterations, tire upsizing offers benefits and drawbacks. As such, the decision to upgrade depends on various factors, such as what you’re trying to achieve and how well your vehicle can accommodate the change.
While it can enhance the overall vehicle aesthetic and boost performance, the payoff is that some critical aspects of your vehicle mechanisms may suffer, leading to decreased efficiency.
Also, remember that if tire upsizing works for one situation, it may not necessarily work for another, and vice versa. As such, it’s best to evaluate your objectives and how tire upsizing aligns with them or if alternative options like purchasing new tires better meet your needs.
Time to Check Your Tires
Tire upsizing has its fair share of considerations, just like other car modifications and improvements. Peruse the information provided here so it will be easier to determine whether tire upsizing suits your needs or alternative options like getting new tires are the better option.
Whatever your choice, it’s best to go for quality tires like those from Triangle Tires. Whether you’re replacing old tires or upsizing, we offer a wide selection that caters to all types of vehicles while ensuring optimal vehicle performance and safety starts. Browse our tire catalog, or contact us for your tire needs.
