Size Difference In Tire Brands?
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Size Difference In Tire Brands?
Hey Guys,
I have been searching around the forums finding pictures of cars with the same size tires as mine (245/35/19 and 275/35/19) and comparing them to my tires. I have Kumho Ecsta's and they seem to be more "bulky" then the other tire brands I have been seeing in the same sizes. I must be missing something.
Can any people with experience provide any clarification to the subject for me?
Are my Kumho Ecsta's, although the same size as other brands, "bulkier" than other brands? If so, what tire brands are known to be not as bulky around the tire?
Reason being, I am ordering a new set of tires soon and want to make the appropriate choice.
Thanks in advance,
Dan
I have been searching around the forums finding pictures of cars with the same size tires as mine (245/35/19 and 275/35/19) and comparing them to my tires. I have Kumho Ecsta's and they seem to be more "bulky" then the other tire brands I have been seeing in the same sizes. I must be missing something.
Can any people with experience provide any clarification to the subject for me?
Are my Kumho Ecsta's, although the same size as other brands, "bulkier" than other brands? If so, what tire brands are known to be not as bulky around the tire?
Reason being, I am ordering a new set of tires soon and want to make the appropriate choice.
Thanks in advance,
Dan
^that's true.. and that's where it makes it stretched.
so OP, to make sure you're looking at the right picture, look for the same setup as urs in terms of tires and wheels specs.
altho i'm sure i've noticed a slight difference between brands. i think it's all within the treads and walls.
so OP, to make sure you're looking at the right picture, look for the same setup as urs in terms of tires and wheels specs.
altho i'm sure i've noticed a slight difference between brands. i think it's all within the treads and walls.
The contact patch on a 275 mm tire is 275 mm. Materials and manufacturing techniques results in attributes such as side wall flex. Flex may make the tire appear different. Also consider a 275 mm tire will fit differently on a 9.5 inch wheel and a 10.5 inch wheel.
Variations are insignificant.
Variations are insignificant.
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Thanks for the responses, I should have stated that my wheels are 19x8.5 and 19x9.5. For example, I was looking at a picture of Toyo T1r's on the same size rims and they looked much smaller, less bulky than my Kuhmo's.
Might look at tire weight as well (bulky sometimes = heavy). If you search Tirerack by brand and drill down to the Specs tab they provide tire weights and dimensions by tire size. I was surprised by the amount profile (eg 35 vs 40) played on weight vs diameter.
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From Tire Rack's website
Section Width
A tire's section width (also called "cross section width") is the measurement of the tire's width from its inner sidewall to its outer sidewall (excluding any protective ribs, decorations or raised letters) at the widest point. This measurement is made without any load placed upon the tire and after the tire has been properly mounted on its industry assigned measuring rim and has been inflated and reset to its test pressure after 24 hours.
Because a tire's section width is influenced by the width of the rim upon which the tire is mounted, the correct industry assigned measuring rim width for the tire size being measured must be used.
The width of a tire mounted on a narrow rim would be "narrower" than if the same tire was mounted on a wide rim. NOTE: because the overall diameter of a steel belted radial is determined by the steel belts, there is little, if any, change to the overall diameter of the tire due to differences in rim width.
The industry rule of thumb is that for every 1/2" change in rim width, the tire's section width will correspondingly change by approximately 2/10".
For example: a tire in the P205/60R15 size is measured on a 6.0" wide wheel and this size tire has an approved rim width range from 5.5" to 7.5" wide. The tire has a section width of 8.23" (209mm) when mounted on a 6.0" wide wheel. If that tire were mounted on all of the rims within its approved range, the tire's approximate section width would change as follows:
A tire's section width (also called "cross section width") is the measurement of the tire's width from its inner sidewall to its outer sidewall (excluding any protective ribs, decorations or raised letters) at the widest point. This measurement is made without any load placed upon the tire and after the tire has been properly mounted on its industry assigned measuring rim and has been inflated and reset to its test pressure after 24 hours.
Because a tire's section width is influenced by the width of the rim upon which the tire is mounted, the correct industry assigned measuring rim width for the tire size being measured must be used.
The width of a tire mounted on a narrow rim would be "narrower" than if the same tire was mounted on a wide rim. NOTE: because the overall diameter of a steel belted radial is determined by the steel belts, there is little, if any, change to the overall diameter of the tire due to differences in rim width.
The industry rule of thumb is that for every 1/2" change in rim width, the tire's section width will correspondingly change by approximately 2/10".
For example: a tire in the P205/60R15 size is measured on a 6.0" wide wheel and this size tire has an approved rim width range from 5.5" to 7.5" wide. The tire has a section width of 8.23" (209mm) when mounted on a 6.0" wide wheel. If that tire were mounted on all of the rims within its approved range, the tire's approximate section width would change as follows:
<table width="268" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"> <tbody><tr> <th align="center">Difference from
Measuring Rim</th> <th align="center">Rim
Width</th> <th align="center">Approximate Tire
section width</th> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">0.5" narrower</td> <td align="center">5.5"</td> <td align="center">8.03"</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Measuring Rim</td> <td align="center">6.0"</td> <td align="center">8.23"</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">0.5" wider</td> <td align="center">6.5"</td> <td align="center">8.43"</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">1.0" wider</td> <td align="center">7.0"</td> <td align="center">8.63"</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">1.5" wider</td> <td align="center">7.5"</td> <td align="center">8.93"</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Because of the different wheel widths used in the above example, there is a 9/10" projected difference in tire section width when comparing a tire mounted on the narrowest rim to the widest rim within its range. This may affect fenderwell and frame clearances when selecting optional aftermarket wheel and tire packages
They also go into "Tread Width" in this section:Measuring Rim</th> <th align="center">Rim
Width</th> <th align="center">Approximate Tire
section width</th> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">0.5" narrower</td> <td align="center">5.5"</td> <td align="center">8.03"</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Measuring Rim</td> <td align="center">6.0"</td> <td align="center">8.23"</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">0.5" wider</td> <td align="center">6.5"</td> <td align="center">8.43"</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">1.0" wider</td> <td align="center">7.0"</td> <td align="center">8.63"</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">1.5" wider</td> <td align="center">7.5"</td> <td align="center">8.93"</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Because of the different wheel widths used in the above example, there is a 9/10" projected difference in tire section width when comparing a tire mounted on the narrowest rim to the widest rim within its range. This may affect fenderwell and frame clearances when selecting optional aftermarket wheel and tire packages
Tread Width
The tread width is the distance between the outer edge and the inner edge of the tread of a new tire. However today's radial tires often feature tread designs that incorporate rounded shoulders and there is no industry standard pertaining to "how much" of the rounded shoulders should be included in the tread width measurement. Because of this, it is difficult to accurately compare the tread width differences of one tire brand to another. Tread width measurements are best used when comparing the various tire sizes or lines manufactured by a single tire manufacturer. Several tire manufacturers have chosen not to publish tread width dimensions.
The tread width is the distance between the outer edge and the inner edge of the tread of a new tire. However today's radial tires often feature tread designs that incorporate rounded shoulders and there is no industry standard pertaining to "how much" of the rounded shoulders should be included in the tread width measurement. Because of this, it is difficult to accurately compare the tread width differences of one tire brand to another. Tread width measurements are best used when comparing the various tire sizes or lines manufactured by a single tire manufacturer. Several tire manufacturers have chosen not to publish tread width dimensions.
Not quite true... RandomHer0 is right, the Nittos are considered "skinny" tires.
I think it would be very useful to have a list of "Bulky" vs. "Skinny" tires. I am about to be making a tire purchase soon, and I would reference it.
gr8scott_o is right. With so many different sizes, models and tire manufacturers it's very difficult to form generalities about the "bulkiness" or "skinniness" of tires from a specific tire manufacturer. There are sometimes very huge discrepancies in sizes from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Here is something I posted in an older thread regarding a similar topic...
Here is something I posted in an older thread regarding a similar topic...
As it has been already stated, each and every tire is different. However, generally speaking PS2s are considered to run wider than most tires in the same size. For instance in these pictures the tire on the right is the Pirelli P zero in a 305/30-19 on the left is a Michelin PS2 size 295/30-19 both on 19X11.5 inch rims from CCW. As you can see the PS2s are much wider.
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Wow, thanks for all the info. This thread is actually giving me some insight. I also think it would be a good idea to make a list of the different "skinner" and "bulkier" tires for my reference and future reference.
I'd venture to say Kumhos run bulkier.
I'm looking for a "skinner" looking tire without resorting to stretch.
I'd venture to say Kumhos run bulkier.
I'm looking for a "skinner" looking tire without resorting to stretch.
Last edited by VQpoweredZ; Feb 12, 2010 at 11:05 AM.
It's really all based on the tire companies technology/manufacturing process. For instance side wall to tire shoulder is what you guys are getting at. I have Bridgestone RE050 and RE760.. The 760's have a narrower shoulder and softer sidewall... More for comfort as apposed to performance. My RE050's have more of a squared shoulder for performance reasons... The stiffer the sidewall on low profile tires the less likely they'll deform on hard cornering and braking. Everyone in this thread is 100% correct on rim width to tire width. A Kumho 275-35-19 would look different to a Michelin Pilot in the same size on the same rim. Unless your racing... I'd find a tire you like and stick to it.
I just made the switch from my OEM RE050's to PS2's. The same sized PS2's have a more doughnut looking appearance and are less stretched comared to the RE050's, as mentioned earlier.
Another thing I did notice when we were swapping the tires is that the sidewall thickness is around half as thick as the RE050. I do notice that they ride smoother and would assume that they will hook up better with their softer sidewall. I will know at track time.
Another thing I did notice when we were swapping the tires is that the sidewall thickness is around half as thick as the RE050. I do notice that they ride smoother and would assume that they will hook up better with their softer sidewall. I will know at track time.
Not sure if relevant or will help in anyway but had set of 17" nittos on one of my integras (dont recall the exact measurements) busted the two fronts tires - shop only had falkens in the same exact specs and they were easily 3/4" - 1 inch wider.
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