Considering Tyre Upsize Your Guide to most Important dos and donts before going for Tyre Upsize to know Differences in Handling, Mileage, Suspension of Car
Tyres plays a key role in Car Drive-ability, Handling, Maneuverability. Remember your Car Contact Pitch on the road is done in form of Tyres and Correct Tyre Pressure plays a key role in the drive response and feedback.
Designed for Different Terrain Conditions, apart from Regular Use, Tyres also available in different classification for those having Specialized needs. For Instance
Tyre Tread varies a lot to determine the best basis drive, condition.
Similarly is Tyre Size. For those having drive
If you are looking to choose New Tyres, refer below on what to look for
Now very Important on while Selecting Tyre is check on
Sidewall Aspect Ratio: It determines the Height of Tyre. Higher the Tyre Sidewall aspect ratio - plush the drive is in City Condition. Anything at 50% or below is Low Profile Tyres and such Low Profile Tyre fit in Wider Tyre which looks good for aesthetic reason and known for Better Braking, Better Stability as the Tyre width is on higher Side.
Change in Tyre Width: Wider Tyres aids better Grip and Handling on Cornering, Highway, Bad Roads, While Smaller Width Tyres offers better for In City Day Use
You can now Calculate Tyre Upsize in Seconds
There are generally 3 Ways in which upsize are done by Car Owners :-
If you choose an aggressive Upsize of over 3% - your Car Handling will be Impacted along with drop in Car Mileage and impact to Car Suspension
Wider Tyres - Tyre Upsize Benefits | Smaller Tyres Benefits |
Increased Grip on Road due to More Surface Width Area of Tyres | Low Friction - Ideal for Cars driven in Daily City Ride. Been Sidewall is thicker due to higher Aspect ratio - ride is particularly soft and comfortable |
Better Stability on High Speed. Ideal if drive Often on Highway | Light Weight - Improved Low Speed Acceleration |
Improved Balancing & Handling even on Bad Patch Roads. With Sidewall been thinner - it adds a firmness to Ride | Cost Effective been Smaller Tyres costs Significant lesser |
Macho Feel and Drive-ability. Cars Looks Well Planted with Wider Tyres | Relative Easy Steering Response with Smaller Tyres |
Net All Benefit: Thus Ride Quality Improves | Net All Benefit: Able to Deliver Better Mileage |
In terms of Tyre Upsize - Make a tradeoff basis requirement and Benefits Mentioned
Upsizing to Wider Tyres - Downside Risks | Smaller Tyres - DownSide Risks |
If Upsize Tyres with Agressive Upsize > 3% - Suspension (Link Rod, Lower Arm, Bushes, Shockers etc) are suspectible to even much faster Quicker Wear & Tear | Grip and Handling Feel is always missed in Puny / Small Tyres |
Mileage would tend to be Impacted. Extent depends on Upsize, Profile. But can dip by anywhere from 5% to 10% | Can Potentially be Risky in Smaller 12 Inch, 13 Inch Wheels with Smaller Tyres - if lacks ABS and applied force brake on high Speed |
If you care for Light Most Steering Response and drive primarily on City Roads - then should not go in for Upsizing Wheels & Tyres - as a slight weight may take away that super lightness in Steering response. | Lacks Highway Dynamics. Not Ideal for Upcountry Bad Patch Roads or High Speed Drive. |
Been the Width increases in Upsize - Ride turns out slight Firm due to Lower Sidewall Aspect | Ride Lacks Firmness due to Thicker Sidewall if Driven on High Speed, Upcountry Roads |
We Love Michelin, MRF, Bridgestone, Pirelli, Yokohoma Tyres . Go Always with the Brand.
Although Globally Accepted Practice is when Tyre Sidewall Ratio is 50% or less than Tyre Width then it can be called as Low Profile Tyre. For Instance R17 225/50. It means Sidewall is 50% of Tyre Width means 112.5 mm
But for Indian Road Conditions where roads are not in best shape in many areas - we feel that anything under 55% Sidewall Aspect Ratio falls under Low Profile One
The higher the Sidewall aspect ratio, Sidewall is longer and it turns in Plush Ride Experience in City Condition. Lower the sidewall aspect ratios lead to slight Stiff ride. On Bad roads - if a Car with say 50% Aspect Ratio or lower drives on speed then driving on Pothole on such a speed can damage the wheel / tyre because of lower Aspect Ratio
Even the Vehicle Suspension System should be checked in as many customer even go in with Aggressive Upsize in Sedan, Hatchback Cars where suspension tuned for comfort but reducing Tyre Sidewall Profile Ratio to 55% in Sedan, Hatch cars can end up making ride Stiff and Rough.
Low Profile Tyres are what on demand of Enthusiastic Driver who love better Cornering, Better Higher Speed stability and most important are recommended only in SUV Range where Performance Orientation is best seek for. However - one should also know that Suspension of Car should support in to get in the Best from Low Profile Tyres, else the ride can turn out more on Firm side impacting drive aspect of Car.
If Buying New Tyres - its important to buy in Tyres with Latest Manufacturing. Know - how to decode :-
Note - if you choose bigger Inch Tyres - you will be required to change Wheels too. Though - its best to choose Tyres in Same Size having More Width - if tyre size is smaller, but 13 Inch Tyres Specs is relatively smaller to our view - its best to Upgrade to 14 Inch
Indicative Range of Tyres basis Common Size is listed below - Each Tyre Cost
Wheel Size | Price Range | Wheel Size | Price Range |
12 Inch Tyres | Rs 2200 - 2600 | 16 Inch Tyres | Rs 4500 - 10000 |
13 Inch Tyres | Rs 2600 - 3200 | 17 Inch Tyres | Rs 8000 - 15000 |
14 Inch Tyres | Rs 3000 - 4000 | 18 Inch Tyres | Rs 15000 - 25000 |
15 Inch Tyres | Rs 3800 - 6000 | 19 Inch Tyres | Rs 18000 - 30000 |
Comments 62
Hello ...I had a grand i10 and I want to upsize the tyre for better comfort so I search a bit and I found 185 60 14 but I m confused dat is it right or wrong so plz. Suggest and which tyre is better between Yokohama earth 1 vs Michelin xm2....Thank u
For Grand i10 Go for 165/70R14 81H
H rating available only in falken and continental.
I have 165/70R14 Falken Sincera sn832i in my grandi10.
Better Mileage, stability, safety and braking. This tyre is strongest in this segment.