Quote:
Originally Posted by RPM
This is slightly tangential but it seemed better to bring this thread back instead of creating a new one.
My question is this: is there a relationship between sidewall size and rolling resistance?
I.e., all else being equal, would a 195/50 R15 tire have a lower rolling resistance than a 195/60 R15 tire?
The theory being that a smaller sidewall deflects less and since deflection is what causes rolling resistance...
|
First let's start with "All other things being equal". That is really really hard to do. Change tire size, change load carrying capacity, change diameter, etc.
But let's start with this:
Barry's Tire Tech
The formula for the relative RRC by tire size says the difference between a 195/60R15 and a 195/50R15 is only 3.3%, where the difference within tire size is 60%.
So in the big scheme of things, a 60% difference is so much bigger than a 3% difference it is hardly worth the effort.