PLUS SIZING YOUR TIRES
The big craze today is plus-sizing tire and wheel combinations. The combination
of hot looks and increased cornering and handling performance is the reason
why automotive enthusiasts do this. “Dub” is the urban street term assigned to
large rim and tire combinations. As a matter of fact, a magazine dedicated to
vehicular modification has named itself Dub Magazine. The reason for increased
cornering and handling performance when shortening the aspect ratio (or
sidewall) is because there’s much less flex in the sidewall, which makes for a
more responsive steering wheel-to-tire response. The vehicle takes on a sports
car feel in cornering and handling. It’s commonly referred to as installing
“dubs.”
A typical dub application might entail changing from a 17-inch tire and wheel
combo to a 22-inch setup. The new setup allows you to move to a wider tire with
a shorter aspect ratio (sidewall) and a larger diameter rim (usually quite flashy or
with spinner hubcaps).
There are two factors to consider when plus sizing your tires and wheels:
- Make sure the new tire is not too wide. If the tire is too wide, then it might not
clear critical suspension and steering components. In addition, the tire could
rub or scrape against body panels, damaging your very expensive dubs.
Carefully measure before installing. Measure and re-measure. It might take a
little extra time, but it could save you lots of dollars. - Make sure the overall diameter of the new tire and wheel combo is very close
to the original spec (ideally, it should be exact). If the change is too drastic,
the speedometer and vehicle performance computer will be thrown out of
kilter. The computer receives critical wheel speed information from these
sensors that is used by the performance computer to work out fuel delivery,
ignition, and transmission shift strategies.