Brickhouse

I changed my wheels on my Mondeo V6 from some standard 205/50/17's to some 225/40/18's. Due to the extra width on the 225 tyres would I be right in thinking there will be a bit more grip or is not the case?

cossynut2

You should get some extra grip as there will now be more tyre contact with the road.

Caddyshack

As above, yes but only if we are comparing apples with apples I.e. Nexan ditch finders compared to Michelin pilot sports will give a very different outcome.

cossynut2

Good point, if you are changing narrower, good quality tyres for some of the real cheap crap ones that are out there you could end up with less grip than you have now.

nigel b

you probably wouldnt even notice the difference on track let alone road driving

Brickhouse

Thanks for the replies.

I had Autogrip all round on my 205's and now have Goodyear all round on my 225's.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Ive got a cheap set of tyres on my mondeo but according to the sricker there a grip rating B.

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

With a wider tyre you will also get more rolling resistance (so mpg will be affected) and they are more inclined to tramline etc so handling could be affected.

Brickhouse

Excuse me if I sound a bit thick here Richie.......Does that mean MPG will be worse?

I wonder if braking may be better due to having extra rubber on the road?

Mashurst

Might indeed make it worse, although I suspect it would be marginal.

Don't forget the rolling radius, as that will affect the mpg too. Theoretically larger radius, larger distance travelled per revolution of wheel, therefore increased mpg and vice versa. In reality it also depends on how it affects your gearing and the tendendy to change down etc., so it is again more complicated.

Increased grip is also in the dry. In the wet, there maybe an increased chance of aquaplaning due to the increased contact area, the more water the more likely. Take that to extremes and look at the tyres they use in rallying in snowy type conditions, large and narrow.

Confusing eh

burnzy

They make there own ratings up just because it has a B for wet weather grip doesn't mean it's the same for another tyre with the B rating.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

They seem to be ok tyres. They seem to grip well.

20/20 vision

maybe its the case that some brands of tyres which are cheaper in Uk are cheaper because they are designed for and imported from other countries, typically far east. I was in sri lanka recently where the roads are terrible and though i dont recall the brand (but it was a really common cheap brand over here) were everywhere and i think perhaps the compound is such that it gives good grip in hotter climates but less in our colder climate. pilot sports might be too soft over there!