2006-11-10 04:44:53 · 8 answers · asked by rich44uk 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
A low profile tyre has a smaller sidewall.
This makes the tyre stiffer, which has a number of effects.
The first is that the tyre doesn't flex so much as you apply steering angle, making the car react quicker to steering inputs (improved turn-in)
The second is that the tyre flexes less during high-speed cornering, keeping the contact patch closer to its normal position. This makes the car's handling more secure / predictable during high-speed cornering.
Another is that the tyre is less flexible when encountering bumps, so the secondary ride (the car's behaviour over high-frequency, low amplitude surface irregularities) is less smooth.
Also, the distance between tread and rim is reduced, meaning the wheel is more vulnerable to damage from impacts with kerbs, potholes or debris on the road.
The "standard" profile for tyres is 82.
Therefore the 70-profile tyres fitted to even the lowliest shopping car today are technically low-profile. Apart from SUVs and commercial vehicles, standard profile tyre are rare now.
Anything less than 50 is sometimes referred to as ultra-low-profile.
2006-11-10 22:12:07 · answer #1 · answered by Neil 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can mix/match low profile and stand profile tires on a car provided that the resulting outside diameter of the tire and wheel is the same. In your situation, this is not the case as you will have to mount a different size tire onto the the same wheel. This would result in different sized wheels/tires and it could adversely effect your car's ride, handling, and possibly throw off the speedometer and odometer which could be illegal where you live. While you didn't ask for general advice, I would offer that it is best to replace all four tires at the same time. There is no unimportant tire on a car. Even on a front wheel drive car, the back wheels must maintain their traction so you won't lose control. If you don't want the low profile size tires, see a local tire shop or one of the many online tire sites for a wheel and tire combination that will fit your Pontiac. You will have many options to choose from. Good luck.
2016-05-22 02:58:49 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Low profile give you a better feel of the road, better cornering and feel. Downsides are low profile tyres are more expensive and its easier to dent or buckle alloy wheels fitted with low profiles.
2006-11-10 05:11:58 · answer #3 · answered by Goofy Goofer Goof Goof Goof ! 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You'll be able to fly around corners more quickly with low-profile. But to do so - which is to utilize any advantage they give you - would wear them out quickly (along with the rest of the vehicle).
You'll also be able to feel every bump in the road as if you're in a cheap econobox or a log truck, so if smooth ride is any measure of performance, they perform less in this regard.
2006-11-10 06:46:19 · answer #4 · answered by wood_jl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are thinner than a standard tyre so the car sits lower.
They perform better at speed.
2006-11-10 04:55:55 · answer #5 · answered by angie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
low profiles give u better handeling and more traction but u feel every bump in d road unlike normal tyres which give u a much softer ride
2006-11-10 13:28:03 · answer #6 · answered by breno58 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Low profile has great cornering ablilities. Less side flex. Normal tires are great for normal driving, and help absorb some of the road, almost like shocks.
2006-11-10 04:48:00 · answer #7 · answered by Silverstang 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Improved cornering due to less sidewall height. Smaller sidewalls equals les flex.
2006-11-10 12:01:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋