How to Downsize Winter Tires
Winter tires are a less popular choice among vehicle owner. This despite the fact that more than sixty percent of the accidents in winters happen because of absence of correct tires that can form a firm grip on the road.
The slush and wetness on the roads can make a car using summer or all-season tires skid through the road and thus, meet with several accidents. Some of these can be potentially fatal.
For others, who do believe in changing tires for winters, it is common practice for vehicles equipped with all season or summer tires to switch to a set of tires apt for winters to bear the cold and snowy seasons.
All-season tires provide vehicles with maximum wear through all weather conditions. Yet these types of tires are not designed to provide you with maximum grip in cold or icy conditions.
The slush and wetness on the roads can make a car using summer or all-season tires skid through the road and thus, meet with several accidents. Some of these can be potentially fatal.
For others, who do believe in changing tires for winters, it is common practice for vehicles equipped with all season or summer tires to switch to a set of tires apt for winters to bear the cold and snowy seasons.
All-season tires provide vehicles with maximum wear through all weather conditions. Yet these types of tires are not designed to provide you with maximum grip in cold or icy conditions.
Instructions for Downsizing Winter Tires
First Learn to Read Tire Sizes
The most important part in enhancing the performance of winter tires is to have the right size of tire fitted on the wheel of your vehicle. To read the tire size, locate the O.E. tire size. This can be found on the sidewall of the tire and will look like: 255/50R17.
Note the width of the tire from the first number in the tire size. In this case, number 255 represents the width across the tire, in millimeters, from the widest point of the tire.
Then, calculate the tire sidewall height. In this example of tire size, 255/50R17, number 50 represents the height of the tire’s sidewall as a percentage of the tire width. Thus, in this case the tire’s height would be around 127.5 millimeters (that is, 50 percent of 255). This is also known as the tire’s series.
Next locate the O.E. diameter of the wheel; this is the last number in the tire size. In the example discussed here, 255/50R17, number 17 represents the wheel diameter measured in inches, on which the tire is intended to be mounted.
Next Step is Calculating Tire Diameter
Now you can proceed to calculate the overall tire height, in inches, with the use of the following formula – ((Width/25.4) x Sidewall Percentage) x 2
To illustrate let us take the same example as above. Here a 255/50R17 tire would have an overall tire height of 10.04 inches by using the above mentioned formula ((255/25.4) x 50%) x2.
Now combine the overall tire height with the diameter of the wheel. Using the same example of, 255/50R17, you would add 10.04 to 17, the tire height, for a final diameter size of 27.04 inches.
Now for an appropriate range you can use the 3 percent variance rule. Now you will be able to install a new tire and wheel combination that is between 26.23 inches and 27.85 inches in diameter in total.
These calculations will ensure that you put your money at the right place without the risk of getting an altogether wrong tire.
The most important part in enhancing the performance of winter tires is to have the right size of tire fitted on the wheel of your vehicle. To read the tire size, locate the O.E. tire size. This can be found on the sidewall of the tire and will look like: 255/50R17.
Note the width of the tire from the first number in the tire size. In this case, number 255 represents the width across the tire, in millimeters, from the widest point of the tire.
Then, calculate the tire sidewall height. In this example of tire size, 255/50R17, number 50 represents the height of the tire’s sidewall as a percentage of the tire width. Thus, in this case the tire’s height would be around 127.5 millimeters (that is, 50 percent of 255). This is also known as the tire’s series.
Next locate the O.E. diameter of the wheel; this is the last number in the tire size. In the example discussed here, 255/50R17, number 17 represents the wheel diameter measured in inches, on which the tire is intended to be mounted.
Next Step is Calculating Tire Diameter
Now you can proceed to calculate the overall tire height, in inches, with the use of the following formula – ((Width/25.4) x Sidewall Percentage) x 2
To illustrate let us take the same example as above. Here a 255/50R17 tire would have an overall tire height of 10.04 inches by using the above mentioned formula ((255/25.4) x 50%) x2.
Now combine the overall tire height with the diameter of the wheel. Using the same example of, 255/50R17, you would add 10.04 to 17, the tire height, for a final diameter size of 27.04 inches.
Now for an appropriate range you can use the 3 percent variance rule. Now you will be able to install a new tire and wheel combination that is between 26.23 inches and 27.85 inches in diameter in total.
These calculations will ensure that you put your money at the right place without the risk of getting an altogether wrong tire.
