Practicality of tire upgrade

[mcrews]

Did you try a search??????

I have addressed this EXACT SAME issue alot more than just once.....

[mcrews]

And that's just me......
Another member with a scion box tested 3 different tires AND rims......

1. It's a taurus.....not a porsche.....why are you corning so hard.......please.
2. If you really want to ricky race....get some 45s or 40s. That's cornering.
3. (As has been discussed at length...) larger diameter tire will produce lower rpms at cruise. period.
4. Going up in rim AND tire size becomes more complicated because of additonal weight.

2002 infinti Q45 Sport...factory 245/45/18 on alloy...upped to 245/50/18 better mpg
2006 Kia Sportage FWD V6 EX .....factory 235/60/16....upped to 235/70/16 better mpg
Also, kia feels MUCH better on the slightly larger tire.

[Gone2]

Thank you for getting me back on point, I got a little distracted. I did do a search and the tire size, handling, etc. has just been addressed again. My biggest question, which was unanswered by a search of ecomodder and google, is if it is even worth it to change tire size on a car that has an automatic transmission. Does anyone know if the computer will adjust for the change in tire size and yield no result, or will it be beneficial? And I am well aware she is not a Porsche, but I still enjoy throwing her around the curves. But don't sell the Taurus line too short, let's remember the SHO and what car is it the police are starting to go to again?.....

[CapriRacer]

Originally Posted by chrisgerman1983

Also a tire that is "aged" will also be slightly better. When you buy "fresh" straight from the factory the tire is not as cured as a tire that has sat on a shelf for a little while. I felt the difference between a brand new tire and last years stock and the older tire was firmer in the tread and and sidewall. It is also possible the the batch of rubber could be different but talking to my tire guy he said it is very common for an older tire to be firmer.

Capriracer - I look forward to your reply on this information (True or False)

Part of what makes a tire work is the flexibility of rubber. As a tire ages, it loses flexibility - and it therefore is more prone to failure. That's why you shouldn't let tires 'age" - artificially or otherwise.

Plus, it isn't the aging factor that is the most important factor in a tire's rolling resistance over time. It's the loss of tread rubber. That loss of mass decreases the amount of energy consumed as the tire rolls through its revolution.

Besides, I don't think the harder rubber helps RR. If anything, the internal friction of soft, pliable rubber is less than hard, stiff rubber. The additional stiffness of the rubber only adds a small part to the overall stiffness of the inflated tire. Most tire stiffness is caused by inflation pressure.

And batch to batch differences? Not as much as you might think. Rubber batches are mixed with other batches many times. That spreads out any abnormalities over many, many individuals. Besides, there are QA controls after every mixing, so abnormalities are quickly isolated and not allowed to re-enter the process.

[CapriRacer]

Originally Posted by Sentraguy

.....My biggest question, which was unanswered by a search of ecomodder and google, is if it is even worth it to change tire size on a car that has an automatic transmission......

I think the data says there is only a little benefit from changing tire size. Plus, there is limited room in the fenderwell and you just don't want anyhting rubbing. Put a different way, unless you are sure there is room for larger tires, the risk of doing it wrong outweighs the potential benefits.

However, there is a HUGE benefit from carefully selecting tires for the properties you want.

[radioranger]

Seems to me you'd have to try and see, on paper very hard to figure, if you lose a few hundred rpm at highway cruise and you cruise a lot on highways , then probably go for it since slightly larger throttle opening should help mileage also as well as the rpm change,

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by Sentraguy

Tha My biggest question, which was unanswered by a search of ecomodder and google, is if it is even worth it to change tire size on a car that has an automatic transmission.
*********really? I cant imagine you did a search and asked that question. I know three cars in the search below that are specificly automatic************

Does anyone know if the computer will adjust for the change in tire size and yield no result, or will it be beneficial? And I am well aware she is not a Porsche, but I still enjoy throwing her around the curves. But don't sell the Taurus line too short, let's remember the SHO and what car is it the police are starting to go to again?.....

(note: the police are drriving dodge chargers)

Am well aware of the sho.
I am also aware of the difference between the two.
Kinda like the difference between a V6 mustang and a shelby.

So you have changed out all the suspension parts, and added all the engine parts......right?
1. Both of the cars I have documented are auto transmissions.
2. You need to check a taurus form to see if the Tranny ECU adjusts.
I know that on the infiniti products the tranny will 'learn' how you drive and adjust accrodingly. (as discussed at length in my posts) But it cant tell if the tires are different sizes. IMHO no car can. But if your corning style is reflective of your driving style, then you have 'trained' the tranny ecu to shift for speed and not for eco. You would need to unhook the battery for an hour and then it would reset and start to learn again.
3. seriously, if you arent running 40 or 45s AND you really are 'cornering hard'....well stay off my streets. you are flexing the sidewalls.
4. you remind me of the guys looking to do 2 inch dual exhuasts. Large exhausts only work at wot. WOT only happens 2% of your life. unless you race an oval track, you are only turning 10% of the time. And how much of that can you race thru the curves???
5. The only draw back to taller tires id the speedo is off. But if you are running a scangauge (which you should) then you can correct the speed on the scangauge.

here are the multiple results from searching 'taller tires'
taller tires - Google Search

[Gone2]

2013 Taurus Police Interceptor : Ford Taurus Forum
I saw one of these with the NC Highway Patrol about a month back. I didn't even know it was a cop until I saw the decals on the side.

And thank you MCCrews for coming out of nowhere to blast me for asking a question, and then further blasting my driving style (to which you know nothing about) off one comment that I made. I can see that my welcome on this site is apparently worn out. Thank you all who had helpful input about my questions, and a lesson learned for me.

[2000mc]

Don't take it personal Gone2, mcrews is a... scumbag to anyone who has a differing opinion, he's not singling you out, it's just how he is

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Thinner tyres occasionally lead to an improvement in throttle response, unless we're talking about a torque-monster. But they also increase braking distances...

Anyway, in a Taurus I wouldn't be afraid to try 185/70R15.