The truth about low profile tires

"The pros and cons of low profile rubber"

Many performance cars today come with low profile tires, so we'll look at these and the advantages and disadvantages to fitting them.

Firstly low profile tires have a small amount of rubber between the rim and the road.

Large alloy wheels are better looking but you can only go so large before needing to have larger wheel arches.

Low profile tires allow you larger rims keeping the same overall rotational dimensions.

The harder sidewalls are less prone to flexing so steering inputs are more direct, large sidewalls absorb some of the steering action as they flex.

The advantages and disadvantages of low profile tires.

They offer greater levels of grip, and allow faster cornering speeds.

A trade off here is that they tend to lose grip suddenly and without as much warning compared to higher sidewall tires.performance-tyres

Steering inputs are more immediate, compared with higher sidewall tires but some drivers prefer the sloppier feel of high sidewalls.

Advantages

  • Allow you to fit larger better looking alloys (which doesn't help performance but provides more space for large brake disks)
  • Better cornering grip and feel, the car will corner faster
  •  The car will turn in faster when cornering
  • The car feels more stable in straight lines and on cornering

Disadvantages

  • More road noise
  • The ride is firmer
  • Low profile tires are more prone to tram lining (following ruts in the road)
  • Sudden loss of grip when pushed beyond the limits
  • They are more expensive (although this depends on the tires popularity)

Tread pattern and compound softness bear a large part in determining the grip of a tire. Low profile tires add an advantage but you really should do your research carefully and choose the right type of tire.

To discuss tires and applications for your car in more detail please join our very friendly and supportive forum.

Please Check out my YouTube channel, we're regularly adding new content...

PLEASE HELP: I NEED YOUR DONATIONS TO COVER THE COSTS OF RUNNING THIS SITE AND KEEP IT RUNNING. I do not charge you to access this website and it saves most TorqueCars readers $100's each year - but we are NON PROFIT and not even covering our costs. To keep us running PLEASE Donate here

If you liked this page please share it with your friends, drop a link to it in your favourite forum or use the bookmarking options to save it to your social media profile.

Feedback - What do You Think?

Please use our forums if you wish to ask a tuning question, and please note we do not sell parts or services, we are just an online magazine.

Help us improve, leave a suggestion or tip

Your Constructive comments on this article, I really want to improve this article with your help and suggestions.


Please watch this video and subscribe to my YouTube channel.



2 Responses to “Truth about low profile tires”

  1. Eden Fantasys says:

    Despite all the above-mentioned pros, the low profile tyres have a long list of severe drawbacks. These performance tyres can be disadvantageous, especially in those scenarios when your car is not originally configured to handle them. Moreover, if the suspension system of your car is made for a tyre with a larger aspect ratio, there are chances that you may notice road imperfections a bit more than usual.

  2. Paul says:

    2 things. First, I agree with more road noise and firmer ride. Second, you mention grip, but IMHO, it the tires ability to perform on wet roads that impresses me. Also does the low profile tire result in more rubber on the road

Member Benefits

Join our forum today and benefit from over 300,000 posts on tuning styling and friendly car banter.

You will also have full access to the modifed car gallery, project car updates and exclusive member only areas.

(All car owners of all ages and from all countries are welcome).


BMW 335i - 2021 COTY

We gave the BMW 335i our coveted car of the year award, read more about this awesome car and see why 335i Tuning Guide

Tips for N54 Tuning

Tips for N55 Tuning
Tips for B58 Tuning

Popular articles

Diesel tuning
Remapping the ECU
double clutching
Induction Kits
Customize a car
Chip Tuning
Insuring Modified Cars
Track day insurance cover
Remapping Diesels
Work out your MPG
Clean your DPF
Tuning Stages


Panel Air Filters

Panel air filters
Read more...

Hybrid Turbos

Hybrid turbos
Read more...

Re Upholstery Cars

Re-upholstery for your car from seats to dashboard.
Read more...

Body Kits

Car bodykits. Side skirts, sills, bumpers and wide body kits.
Read more...

Interior Cleaning

How to clean a car’s interior
Read more...

Best Car

The best cars and ultimate must drives
Read more...

MPG Calculator

MPG calculator UK miles per Gallon – calculate MPG
Read more...