Re: 4ksq Tires and Suspension Questions

[Michael Williams <daserde@ucla.edu>]

Martin Pajak decided to speak these words:

>Most common mistake people make is they assume that a wider tire 
>makes larger contact with the pavement.  That is not the case.  Even 
>if you get 255's they will still have the same contact area as 195's.
>Simple physics dictates the rules.  The reason you want the wider tire 
>is that as the tire rolls under load the block of tread will be in 
>contact with the surface for shorter period of time (to get the same 
>area the larger width of contact reduces the length of contact along 
>the tire) on a wider tire there fore reducing it's chance to overheat 
>under braking and acceleration.


I knew about this kind of, but doesnt the wider contact patch of the 
wider tire allow for better cornering, and not just the braking and 
acceleration?

Its all about hte shape, right?

later...


Michael Sheridan Williams

My new one: 1985 4000 S Quattro
175,000+ miles, and going like a new car
Well, went like a new car.....right into a guard rail :o(

http://members.aol.com/daserde2