How Changing Tire Size Effects You Vehicle?

Did You Know How Changing Tire Size Effects Your Vehicle?

If you own a truck or Jeep Wrangler, chances are, you've thought about a lift and bigger tires. But you should consider a few things before you commit.

First, is this your weekend project truck or your daily driver?

If you're just using your truck for mudding, you really don't have much to worry about. It's about suspension and how high you want to go.

If you're putting larger tires on your daily driver, then you need to consider a few things.

Impacts on Performance:

• Speedometer and Odometer: You'll also need to reprogram your truck to the appropriate control unit to adjust speed and odometer calculations. Larger tires have larger circumferences. Your vehicle's computer calculates speed and miles driven based upon the factory tire size. Changing the tire size means changing the calculation.

  If you don't, your speedometer could provide a false reading, which could result in an unwanted speeding ticket and your odometer to register fewer miles than you are actually traveling.

• Handling: Larger or wider tires can improve handling and cornering due to increased grip, but they can also make the steering feel heavier and affect the car's center of gravity.

• Fuel Efficiency: Larger tires will often add more weight or mass to your vehicle. If you're considering new wheels as well, they could potentially add to the weight and mass. Weight and mass means using more fuel. It also means more wear and stress on your brakes. The increased size causes the tires to rotate slower to cover the same amount of ground.
• TPMS: And if that isn't enough, you'll probably get an error light, because your TPMS will be weirded out as well by the larger tire circumference.

Safety Considerations:

• Braking: Larger tires can affect braking performance due to their increased weight and impact on how the anti-lock braking system (ABS) works.
• Fender rubbing: If your tires are too big, they may rub against your fenders, especially when turning, which can damage both the tires and the fenders.
• Suspension: Larger tires can put more stress on your suspension system, leading to premature wear and tear.

Other factors:

• Ground clearance: Larger tires can provide increased ground clearance, which can be beneficial for off-road driving.
• Comfort: Larger tires with a higher sidewall can provide a softer ride.

 

Here's a quick and simple way to make the computer adjustments, The OBDGenie 'Tire Size Change Programmer'. With this you don't need download any software, figure out confusing settings or purchase additional tools.

No warning lights, your speedometer reads correctly and your odometer will be accurate.