Quote:
Originally Posted by lasitter
I wish someone would speak to my issue which is one of width vs tire diameter.
The case that I'm looking at involves shrinking the tread width (and approximately the contact patch) by about 14 percent.
I understand that this has completely separate implications (usually bad) for traction, handling, stopping distances, etc., but I am focusing on the fuel economy benefits alone here.
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Contact patch is obviously what holds up the vehicle. Barry has said in the past something to the effect of a smaller contact patch typically causes higher rolling resistance when the same load is applied to the tire with the same air pressure and that the smaller tire will deform more, building more heat.
I say building more heat on a smaller tire surface = bad.
And what does the smaller tire do you your carry capacity?
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1984 chevy suburban, custom made 6.5L diesel turbocharged with a Garrett T76 and Holset HE351VE, 22:1 compression 13psi of intercooled boost.
1989 firebird mostly stock. Aside from the 6-speed manual trans, corvette gen 5 front brakes, 1LE drive shaft, 4th Gen disc brake fbody rear end.
2011 leaf SL, white, portable 240v CHAdeMO, trailer hitch, new batt as of 2014.
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