Not sure about upsizing car tyres? Don't know why you should upsize car tyres? We hear you. There are multiple tyre upsizing benefits that can help you get a clearer idea about upsizing tires. Upsizing can make all the difference regarding the best car with good fuel economy, a higher top speed, and better handling.

The uneven weight distribution of the car can be a pain to handle. You may need to spend extra to take car balancing or have your tires rebalanced multiple times before they finally wear out. But upsizing tyres can increase the chances that you might not need to worry about this happening again anytime soon. 

How are car tyres and wheels sized up?

When you're looking to upsize car tyres, it's essential to consider the tyre's size and the wheel. The total diameter of your car’s wheel and tyre combination will determine the wheel size you need to buy. So, for example, if you want to upgrade from a 195/55R15 to a 225/45R17, the latter will fit better on a giant wheel.

You must also keep in mind that there are limits to the wheel size that can be used in your car. The wheel cannot exceed more than 3% of the diameter of the airbag, which is usually inflated to ensure that any collision would not lead to anyone being injured but also not toppled over. While upgrading your car, check out if the tyres you are buying can fit your car’s specifications. This can help you understand how well it will perform at high speeds. Suppose a tyre comes in contact with someone under normal circumstances. In that case, it can also lead to injuries and damage to the vehicle that didn’t anticipate such damages when making its decision.

Also Read: Nitrogen vs Air in Tyres

Selecting the Correct Size

You might know that it is essential to check your tyres and wheels for wear, puncture and other damages so that you get the correct size of wheels when you decide to upsize car tyres. Tyre condition can entirely depend on how your car has been driven. If you are moving gently, there is no question about whether or not to replace the tyres – but if you are going off-road at high speed, then it’s a good idea to have a check of your wheels and tyres because the chances of getting a puncture or some other damage are much higher.

When you get these new wheels of the perfect size fitted, you need to turn the steering from one extreme to another, check the road width, and ensure enough space between tyres to absorb bumps; otherwise, you can end up with a tyre burst.

Car tyre upsizing calculator: How do you determine tyre size?

With the increase in tyre size comes an increase in grip and stability at high speeds. The bigger the tyre, the better it grips the road and prevents skidding. And this increases safety while driving. A significant increase in tyre size also improves handling and braking.

You can easily ccalculate the total diameter of your car’s tyre. To do this, add the width of the wheel rims, plus around three per cent for safety and all-wheel drive versions of your vehicle.

Here’s how you will proceed with the tyre upsize calculator for car. For example, it might read on the tyre 175/70/R13.

• 175 refers to contact patch size (millimetres)

• 70 refers to sidewall height (%)

• R refers to radial tyre

• 13 refers to the diameter of the rim (inches)

Now the calculation part:

17.5 cm + 70% of 17.5cm + 13 X 2.54cm (1”= 2.54cm). Now proceed with the math.

FAQ’s

1.  How do I safely upsize the wheels on my car? 

To safely upgrade your wheels, you must remember that there are limits to the wheel size used in your car. The wheel cannot exceed more than 3% of the diameter of the airbag. 

2. Can we increase the tyre width? 

Yes, the tyre width or size can be increased while upsizing the wheels, but it should be taken care of that the wheels are increased not more than 2& of the diameter of the airbag. This is important to keep in mind before upgrading the tyre to ensure safety. 

3. Is it reasonable to upgrade the tyre size?

Upsizing basic is always an option for something better, significantly if it does not impact your pocket! In addition, this option allows for more traction. Wider tyres will allow for more grip and traction, essential for cars that move at higher speeds, such as sports cars.