Quote:
Originally Posted by gascort
I'd argue still that when you have a smaller contact patch, you drive water out from under your wheel faster due to increased pressure on the water. When I switched from 245/45/17 to 315/35/17 tires in my mustang (got bigger wheels for looks and altering the car's stance only - I've never believed in contact patch - friction relationships) I lost rain performance. I can hydroplane all the time now in that car.
I'm sure there is a speed at which the greater pressure just won't matter due to the water's viscosity, but I haven't ever experienced it.
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thats the way i've always thought it was. less tire on the road, means more weight in a smaller spot, means more traction. have your wife/girlfriend/random woman on the street, stomp on one of your feet with the heel of a tennis shoe, and the other with a stiletto.
when fourwheeling, i've found a skinnier tire "digs" down to solid ground (if its there
) and a wider tire "floats" on top.