Tire width variations between brands

[RYU]

There doesn't seem to be a comprehensive thread on which tire brand is wider than the other for any given size.

Is anyone aware of such a list? There are several accounts of ABC 265 tire being wider than XYZ 265 tire but i've seriously lost track. Some of us run aggressive fitment wheels where, unfortunately, this may mean running 265 in one brand vs. 275 in another brand.

If anyone cares to post their experience with particular brands I'm happy to compile the list and sort from widest to slimmest. It would be a big help to yours truly.

My experience so far is that Nittos run wider than Falkens for the 275s that I ran.

 

[TURBO2GO]

The list is already there at the tire rack under "specs" for each tire. Tread width as well as weight.

 

[nsxtasy]

Tires do vary in size from the nominal dimensions shown on the sidewall. However, it's not consistent, not even through a given manufacturer's line. A given company may make one model and size of tire wider than others, but another model or even another size may not be wider at all.

Also, you can't count on the manufacturer's specs, which is what the Tire Rack shows on its website. Some manufacturers only use the nominal dimensions in their published specs such as section width and outer diameter/circumference, while others use actual measurements. And some of those dimensions can vary based on wheel width; some manufacturers specify a "measuring width", the wheel width used for their measurements, but if your wheel is a different width, your figures may be different for the same tire.

One spec that should be accurate, though, is the tire weight shown on the Tire Rack website, since their system uses this for determining shipping charges.

 

[TURBO2GO]

If the tread width is listed on the wheel that is also specified, why would that not be accurate? They can't possibly account for all the wheel widths someone might try.

 

[nsxtasy]

If the tread width is listed on the wheel that is also specified, why would that not be accurate? They can't possibly account for all the wheel widths someone might try.

I'm not sure whether you're referring to tread width or section width. The first number in the tire size is the section width, and it can vary depending on what width wheel it's mounted on, how much air pressure is in the tire, etc.

Tread width can be measured, but how much of that width is actually in contact with the ground can vary with air pressure, car weight, etc., especially for tires where the edge of the tread is somewhat rounded.

 

[Nero Tenebre]

I think tirerack does have all the specs you would ever need, and they should be reasonably accurate. I noticed that when I bought my 255 Yokohama AD08 they looked ultra-wide for a 255, so I checked their specified width and cross checked it against other tires I had used. It seemed to me that the extreme performance category tires all ran wide, which may supplement their sticky compounds and add to their high lateral grip. I am mounting it to my 18x10 tecno rear so we'll see if it can fill out the 10" like my other 265/275 tires.

 

[RYU]

Thanks for your feedback so far gents.

Nero, funny you mention AD08s. They are high on my list for the daily driver. What previous brands will you be comparing them to? Please keep us updated.

 

[TURBO2GO]

I went from falken 615s to Dunlop Z1 star specs and now to the AD08. Next I'm going to the Z2.

 

[9doors]

I'm in Dave's camp here... Star Specs now, waiting for the Z2's. Kumho XS for the track.

 

[RYU]

I went from falken 615s to Dunlop Z1 star specs and now to the AD08. Next I'm going to the Z2.

I'm in Dave's camp here... Star Specs now, waiting for the Z2's. Kumho XS for the track.

Please let us know your general impressions on which of these brands end up "wider" than the previous you've tried. If you feel they're the same then please mention it.

The tirerack resource and this crude method is the best I can do for now but hopefully it can be a general guideline.