HRDWRK

Hi:

can you tell me what difference does it make to put the same tire , let's say 255X40X19, on a wheel which is 8.5" wide versus putting on a wheel which is 10" wide since the width of the tire is the same.
Thanks

steel pony

Fender clearance and offset.
Also, you have to take into consideration all of the steering mechanics on the front of the car vs. just a solid piece of metal in the rear.

Most wheels will have a different offset for the front than the rear to allow for proper brake and mechanical clearance, whereas the rears will normally be offset to allow for filling in the rear fender gap.

Someone correct me if i'm wrong, or can add more insight

99GTvert

The bigger the wheel width, the wider the tire it requires. I think a 255 would be too small for a 10 inch wheel.

HRDWRK

For example, the stock 255 Pirelli tires are recommended for the wheels with width from 8.5" to 10". That is the tire manufacturer recommendation. What I am getting is the width of the wheel , from 8.5 to 10", doesn't have any affect on tire performance. It is just for the look?!

steel pony

That all depends on driver mod, driving habits, what you're doing with the car, etc. LOTS of things to consider....

If your just looking for driveability and looks, a staggered setup does wonders for the looks of the car.

Obvious benefits are from having as much tire in contact with the road as possible, which will activate more grip. The worse the conditions, the less footprint you want.

Do you want All-Season tires (A/S) or summer tires (UHP). One will wear faster than the other, etc.
Do you want a staggered setup for street and strip or a squared setup for autocross and road course?

Again, many, many ways of looking and gauging your needs. I'm sure someone on here with a lot more experience with tires and their applications than myself can answer your questions in greater detail

jRaskell

Wheel width will have an affect on the actual contact patch of the tire, but if you stick within the recommended wheel widths this affect should be relatively small, with no significant affect on performance or tire wear. If you're looking for every possible performance benefit though, then you'll want to run a wheel width close to the maximum (thought not necessarily the maximum)