2005 narrow tires
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: March 11, 2004
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Originally posted by Tone@May. 21st, 2004, 3:23 PM
Some possibilities:
Lower profile tires tend to have a wider but shorter footprint. A slightly higher profile tire tends to have a somewhat narrower, but longer footprint. This longer footprint can be benificial in getting traction for acceleration and braking. It is also more adept at resisting hydroplaning and cutting into light snow.
Higher profile tires generate greater slip angles before they "let go." A 60 series tire will have a long period where the slip angles (read: some oversteer or understeer) are increasing before it loses traction entirely (read: you spin off the road). A similar 45 series tire generates much smaller slip angles before it lets go. This gives you better perceived steering response and potentially greater cornering speeds, but requires more skill to get the most out of -- especially on the road.
Higher profile tires tend to handle high frequency bumps better than low profile tires.
Tires generally weigh less than rims. Thus a higher profile tire on a smaller rim will often be lighter than an low profile tire on a bigger rim. This means less unsprung weight and improved ride and handling.
All of this is a huge generality, of course. Individual tire design, including construction, compound and tread design, is kind of a black art - looking for the magic combination that offers the best of all worlds.
My guess, though, is that Ford recognizes that most base and GT Mustangs will be bought by average people looking for a "sporty car." They've gone with a slightly higher profile, narrower tire to gain advantages in ride, acceleration/braking and wet weather traction and to create a car the average person could push a little without getting into too much trouble. I suspect with an improved suspension, they can do all of this and still end up with a car that's better handling and faster than the '04.
Special editions, including the SVT/Shelby variant will be far more focused and will likely trade off some all around capabilities for improved stick and steering feel.
If so, it seems like an appropriate approach to me!
Some possibilities:
Lower profile tires tend to have a wider but shorter footprint. A slightly higher profile tire tends to have a somewhat narrower, but longer footprint. This longer footprint can be benificial in getting traction for acceleration and braking. It is also more adept at resisting hydroplaning and cutting into light snow.
Higher profile tires generate greater slip angles before they "let go." A 60 series tire will have a long period where the slip angles (read: some oversteer or understeer) are increasing before it loses traction entirely (read: you spin off the road). A similar 45 series tire generates much smaller slip angles before it lets go. This gives you better perceived steering response and potentially greater cornering speeds, but requires more skill to get the most out of -- especially on the road.
Higher profile tires tend to handle high frequency bumps better than low profile tires.
Tires generally weigh less than rims. Thus a higher profile tire on a smaller rim will often be lighter than an low profile tire on a bigger rim. This means less unsprung weight and improved ride and handling.
All of this is a huge generality, of course. Individual tire design, including construction, compound and tread design, is kind of a black art - looking for the magic combination that offers the best of all worlds.
My guess, though, is that Ford recognizes that most base and GT Mustangs will be bought by average people looking for a "sporty car." They've gone with a slightly higher profile, narrower tire to gain advantages in ride, acceleration/braking and wet weather traction and to create a car the average person could push a little without getting into too much trouble. I suspect with an improved suspension, they can do all of this and still end up with a car that's better handling and faster than the '04.
Special editions, including the SVT/Shelby variant will be far more focused and will likely trade off some all around capabilities for improved stick and steering feel.
If so, it seems like an appropriate approach to me!
Too many people are hung up on very low aspect ratio tires w/o admitting to the downside of those tires. The tires on the 99-04 Stangs are TOO small in diameter. I welcome the larger diameter tires that will come with the 05 Stang.
Do You Remember Me?
Joined: January 29, 2004
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Guys, the 235's probably work very well with the car.
However, as one of the presenters (in the vid where the 05 is being loaded into the trailer said), the wheel+tire diameter was also increased to better fill the wheel well.
It was also done so that a set of 18" rims could be offered that wouldn't have next to no sidewall.
Trust me, this car IS designed for 18's. They will have 255's. I'm sure that Ford intendeds to offer them as the wheel upgrade starting next year. I mean, the Cobra is rumoured to get 20" rims for heaven's sake.
I guess the answer is: You should have wider tires, with larger rims --> problem is Ford happened to/purposely dropped the ball.
However, as one of the presenters (in the vid where the 05 is being loaded into the trailer said), the wheel+tire diameter was also increased to better fill the wheel well.
It was also done so that a set of 18" rims could be offered that wouldn't have next to no sidewall.
Trust me, this car IS designed for 18's. They will have 255's. I'm sure that Ford intendeds to offer them as the wheel upgrade starting next year. I mean, the Cobra is rumoured to get 20" rims for heaven's sake.
I guess the answer is: You should have wider tires, with larger rims --> problem is Ford happened to/purposely dropped the ball.
Member
Joined: May 22, 2004
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The taller tire goes a long ways in the looks department. The wheel well finally looks the way it was meant to be, filled. No matter how is hooks or handles I want some more meat on the road. I want to see some wide rubber when looking at the back. I'll probably get mine with the 17's and then get some aftermarket 18's and see if I can squeeze some 285/40's in there. I love the way my sis' WS6 with 275's stands. That's the footprint I'm looking for.
Team Mustang Source
Joined: January 29, 2004
Posts: 6,730
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Originally posted by V10@May. 21st, 2004, 7:40 PM
Well said Tone
Too many people are hung up on very low aspect ratio tires w/o admitting to the downside of those tires. The tires on the 99-04 Stangs are TOO small in diameter. I welcome the larger diameter tires that will come with the 05 Stang.
Well said Tone
Too many people are hung up on very low aspect ratio tires w/o admitting to the downside of those tires. The tires on the 99-04 Stangs are TOO small in diameter. I welcome the larger diameter tires that will come with the 05 Stang.
Do You Remember Me?
Joined: January 29, 2004
Posts: 6,000
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Originally posted by V10@May. 21st, 2004, 8:40 PM
Too many people are hung up on very low aspect ratio tires w/o admitting to the downside of those tires. The tires on the 99-04 Stangs are TOO small in diameter. I welcome the larger diameter tires that will come with the 05 Stang.
Too many people are hung up on very low aspect ratio tires w/o admitting to the downside of those tires. The tires on the 99-04 Stangs are TOO small in diameter. I welcome the larger diameter tires that will come with the 05 Stang.
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Joined: January 29, 2004
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Originally posted by Wombert@May. 22nd, 2004, 8:10 PM
hmh... just wondering: if the suspension upgrade package is really that preparation thing for 18s... can I still put 17s on it? :P
17s for winter, 18s for summer.
or something like that...
hmh... just wondering: if the suspension upgrade package is really that preparation thing for 18s... can I still put 17s on it? :P
17s for winter, 18s for summer.
or something like that...
Buy a set of 17's, put winter tires on them, and use 18's in the summer with a 255+ size tire.
Team Mustang Source
Joined: April 8, 2004
Posts: 765
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I was dead set on waiting for the 18's too, until yesterday I saw a current model mustang with 17" bullitts w/ 275/40's. That was enough to make me reconsider not waiting...though I still may prefer just a tad bit more sidewall.
Bullitt Member
Joined: February 6, 2004
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Originally posted by Dan@May. 22nd, 2004, 10:12 PM
18's on the current car would be murder on the ride quality.
18's on the current car would be murder on the ride quality.
GT Member
Joined: May 22, 2004
Posts: 186
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lots of reasons for a smaller tire...better handling in the rain and snow with a narrower tire...less unsprung weight with a smaller or lighter tire...better fuel economy with a narrower tire...and the big one...it's cheaper to put on the car!! EVERYTHING is done to keep the sticker price as low as possible...jackg 90 seville 94k
Shelby GT500 Member
Joined: March 10, 2004
Posts: 2,586
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From: Sherman, TX
My '96 Camaro came stock with the 235/55/16. I don't have much to complain about as far as the ride and performance is concerned (the footprint). I'd welcome an option for 18's, though just to 'balance' the space on the Mustang.
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