Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Wheels & Tires Why are larger wheels/tires supposed to make the car handle better?

If I recall my physics correctly, a wider tire doesn't put more rubber on the road.

It does change the shape of the contact patch.

So given the same tire construction and same air pressures, but different width tires on the same car, the wider tire will put a wider, but shallower (from front to back) contact patch on the road.

The narrow tire will put a narrower, but deeper contact patch on the road.

However, both patches will be about the same surface area.

So a wider tire doesn't put more rubber on the road.

TB