Wide Tires vs Narrow Tires on Snow & Ice: Which is really better? –> When navigating through snowy and icy conditions, the choice of tire width can significantly impact vehicle performance and safety. This exploration delves into the longstanding debate between wide and narrow tires for winter driving. Wide tires, often praised for their stability and larger surface area, are contrasted against narrow tires, which are believed to offer better pressure distribution and traction in winter conditions.
This article aims to unravel the complexities and provide clear insights into what type of tire truly offers superior performance on snow and ice, aiding drivers in making an informed decision for their winter driving needs.
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Results: Wide Tires vs Narrow Tires, 225 vs 255
Results below were taken from Tyre Review’s Wide vs Narrow Winter Tires Test with a total of 4 tires tested. The graph below shows the comparison between Wide Tires vs Narrow Tires on Snow & Ice. We have set the narrow tire as the reference hence at the 100% mark.
The narrow tire comes with the size of 225/45R18 while the wider tire comes with the size of 255/35R19 The testing vehicle is a BMW 3 series. The tires used in this test were the Hankook Winter i*cept EVO 3.
Snow Performance Analysis:
When comparing the snow performance of narrow and wide tires, the differences, although subtle, are noteworthy. Taking the example of 225/45 R18 narrow tires and 255/35R19 wide tires, we can see distinct variations in their capabilities under snowy conditions.
In terms of snow braking, the difference is minimal. The narrow tires halt the vehicle at 18.02 meters, while the wide tires take slightly longer, stopping at 18.06 meters. This marginal difference of just 0.04 meters indicates that both tire types offer comparable braking performance on snow.
Looking at snow traction, which measures the time taken to accelerate on snow, the narrow tires show a marginally better performance. They achieve the necessary traction in 6.65 seconds, as opposed to the 6.8 seconds required by the wide tires. The difference of 0.15 seconds suggests that narrow tires may provide a slightly quicker response when accelerating in snowy conditions.
Finally, considering the snow handling, which is reflected in the lap time on a snow-covered track, the narrow tires again demonstrate a slight advantage. They complete a lap in 82.29 seconds, whereas the wide tires take 83.93 seconds. This indicates that narrow tires may offer better maneuverability and control on snowy surfaces, albeit the difference is less than two seconds.
Overall, while the differences in snow performance between narrow and wide tires are relatively small, they are consistent across various measures, with narrow tires slightly outperforming their wider counterparts in braking, traction, and handling on snow.
Wide Tire (255/35R19):
- -0.2% in snow braking
- -2.2% in snow traction
- -2% in snow handling (lap time)
Ice :
Comparing the performance of narrow and wide tires on ice reveals distinct differences in their capabilities. When we examine the 225/45 R18 narrow tires against the 255/35R19 wide tires, their performance on ice surfaces shows noticeable variations.
In the case of ice braking, where the distance needed to come to a complete stop is measured, narrow tires have a slight edge. They bring the vehicle to a stop at 16.11 meters, while the wide tires take a bit longer, stopping at 16.42 meters. This difference of about 0.31 meters suggests that narrow tires may offer better braking efficiency on icy surfaces.
Turning to ice traction, which is the time taken to gain sufficient traction on ice for acceleration, the results are reversed. Here, wide tires perform better, requiring only 9.69 seconds to achieve traction, compared to the 10.34 seconds needed by the narrow tires. The difference of 0.65 seconds indicates that wide tires may provide quicker acceleration on ice.
These differences highlight that while narrow tires may offer slightly better control during braking on ice, wide tires seem to have an advantage in gaining quicker traction. Each type of tire exhibits strengths in different aspects of ice performance, underscoring the importance of considering specific driving conditions and needs when choosing tires for icy roads.
Wide Tire (255/35R19):
- -1.9% in ice braking
- +6.7% in ice traction
Conclusion from a Tire Expert’s Perspective:
As a tire expert, my analysis of the performance differences between narrow and wide tires on snow and ice surfaces reveals an interesting conclusion. The performance advantages of each tire type are indeed present, but they are extremely minimal. For instance, in snowy conditions, narrow tires slightly outperform wide tires in aspects like braking, traction, and handling. On the other hand, on icy surfaces, while narrow tires show a marginal advantage in braking, wide tires take the lead in traction.
However, it’s crucial for users to understand that these differences are so slight that they shouldn’t be the deciding factor in choosing between wide and narrow tires. The real emphasis should be on investing in good quality winter tires. The benefits of a well-designed winter tire, regardless of its width, far outweigh the minute performance variances between narrow and wide tires in winter conditions.
Good winter tires are specifically engineered to provide better grip and handling on snow and ice. They feature unique tread designs and softer rubber compounds to maintain flexibility in cold temperatures, offering significantly improved safety and performance in winter driving conditions compared to regular or all-season tires.
Therefore, rather than focusing on the width of the tire, I advise drivers to prioritize the quality of the winter tire. Investing in a set of high-quality winter tires is a far more effective strategy for ensuring safety and performance in winter driving conditions than simply opting for wider or narrower tires. Remember, the right winter tires can make a substantial difference in your driving experience and safety during the colder months.
Dr Edwin Pang