Tire profiles refer to the height of the sidewall as a percentage of the sectional width. The bigger the profile, the bigger the sidewall of tire will be.
Aspect ratio and tire profile are identical. It’s the height of the sidewall measured from wheel rim to the crown of tire tread, stated as a percentage of tire width.
What you know about 105% rule on tires? Simply, Rim should be 105% as wide as a tire to maintain optimal aerodynamic relationship between rim and tire.
How to Read Tire Profiles?
Tire Sidewall: Where size of tire is mentioned
Example to Read Tire Profiles / Aspect Ratio
- First Number or Width: Here 205 is width of tire in millimeters. It is measured from one sidewall to other.
- Second Number or Aspect Ratio: It shows how tall your tire profile is, here 55 means tire’s height is 55% of its width.
- Third Number or Rim Diameter: In our example rim size is 16, which means this tire is only compatible with rims of 16 inches diameter.
Why Tire Profile is Important?
Considerable Factors
Your driving style, driving mode and model of car are main factors which should be considered while choosing the right tire profile. A tire with aspect ratio < 50 is generally considered low profile tire.
Low Tire Profiles: Why?
- Sports and Luxury Cars: These cars often have low profile tires having reduced sidewall flex. It provides improved cornering stability, more responsive steering, shorter braking distance, and appealing appearance
- Fuel Saving: Low profile tires have lessor rolling resistance and can increase fuel economy.
- Enhanced Traction: Due to more stiff sidewalls and extensive surface contact with the road help to improve handling and traction.
- Bigger Rims: Bigger rims provide broad space for braking setup. Luxury and sports cars require this space for proper and safe functioning.
https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/market-report/low-profile-tire-market/70681/ Low tire profiles market projection graph.
Disadvantages of Low Tire Profiles
Compared to advantages of low profile tires, disadvantages comprises a long list.
- Road Noise and Bumper Ride: They contribute in high road noise as they have deficit sidewall which acts as a buffer when tire deforms.
- Poor Grip on Uneven Roads: These tires provide better grip only on smooth dry paved roads.
- Faster Tread Wear: Due to thin side walls shorter lifespan and more susceptible to damage from potholes.
- Harsher Ride: These tires have less ability to absorb road imperfections.
- Wheel Damage: Low profile tires provide less cushion between road and wheel, less sidewall can’t compensate bumps effectively.
- More Liable to Puncture: They have less rubber, which makes them less durable to impact and vulnerable to damage from potholes and other road dangers.
- Threat to Suspension System: These tires maintains less space between vehicle and the road surface, leaving suspension system solely accountable for absorbing the shock of the various bumps.
- Less Ground Clearance: Shallow sidewall maintains less distance between underside of car and road surface, it can be potential threat to car components.
- Expensive: Their production requirements are different and due to less demand these tires come with heavy price tag.
- Shaky Drive in Snow: Low profile tires are slim and very close to the ground, snow will capture the inside of the wheel, which can lead to a shaky drive.
High Profile or Standard Tires: Advantages
- Heavy Loads and Rough Roads: High profile tires are perfect option for rough road conditions and to carry heavy loads. It is due to their buffer zone which acts as a cushion resulted by long sidewall.
- Resistant to Damage: Their size-able sidewalls make them more resistant to damage from potholes.
- Ride Comfort: Higher aspect ratio make them able to absorb bumps and other road imperfections better.
- Budget Friendly: These tires are produced on large scale due to high demand, this make them budget friendly.
- Low Noise: Larger sidewall of tire provides proper cushion to absorb noise.
Disadvantages of High Tire Profiles
- Worst Turning Around Curves: These do not deflect side loads in result car has worse turning around curves.
- Comparatively Less Stable: Ground clearance of vehicle increased but stability decreases. It is the reason Luxury cars have low profile tires.
- More Air to lose: Due to larger sidewall, these tires need more air pressure, so more air to lose. You have to maintain normal tire pressure more often. Learn more about recommended normal tire pressure: Click Here
Can I use low tire profiles on any rim?
The rim and tire profile combination designed by car manufacturer fits the particular vehicle. You can’t use the low profile rim with regular tires.
How can I replace standard tire size with low profile tires?
If you want to use low tire profiles, increase the diameter of the wheels (rims) to maintain the same gross diameter. If 265/65/R17 is the stock size, then upgrading one size would make it 275/55/R18. In this way overall combination will remain same also odometer will work properly.
