An article about the features of low-profile rubber - its characteristics, pros and cons, main brands. At the end of the article - an interesting video about these car tires.
The content of the article:
Competition does not benefit all manufacturers of goods - some companies lose, others win. But consumers always win because they end up with the very best.
Firms that produce tires are no exception, because they are constantly in a rather fierce competition. And today, as a result of this competition, we will consider a special type of tires, which is called low-profile.
General characteristics
You can find the differences between a low profile tire and an ordinary tire on the side surface of the wheel: this is where the special marking is applied. This marking indicates the parameters of the tire, thanks to which you can always find out if it is a low-profile rubber or not.
For example, let's take a typical 225/40R16 tire marking and try to decipher it:
- 225 is a number that determines the width of the tire in millimeters;
- 40 - the percentage value between the height and width of the rubber. We obtain the profile height as follows: we multiply 225 by 0.4 and we get - 90 mm;
- R is a type of rubber. In this case, this index indicates that the tire is radial.
- 16 - this value indicates the radius of the tire. In this case, 16 inches.
Therefore, the 225/40R16 marking we reviewed has an obvious low profile, with a difference in width and height of only 40% (0.4).
For clarity, let's compare a tire labeled 195/45R15 with a tire labeled 205/45R15. To do this, we will perform the calculations already known to us both for the first tire and for the second:
- 195 x 0.45 = 87.75 mm;
- 205 x 0.45 = 92.25 mm.
0,2.
As the next difference between low profile rubber and conventional tires, consider such a characteristic as the speed index (the maximum allowable speed for the operation of certain tires), which is also applied to the side surface of the tire.
For tires with a low profile, this value exceeds 210 km / h, while standard tires have a speed index of no more than 190 km / h. In addition, a special so-called “stiffening rib” is inserted into the low-profile tires, which protects the rim from possible deformation.
Note: Such a "rib" is available only for low-profile tires. In the absence of a “rib”, it is no longer possible to classify a tire as a low-profile tire.
Advantages of low profile tires
Low tires have the following advantages:
- increase the speed parameters of the car;
- make braking faster and more reliable;
- enhance the stability of the car during maneuvering and at high speed as well;
- provide a wider area of contact between the rubber and the road surface;
- provide fast acceleration from the starting point of the car;
- increase the stability of the car on sharp turns;
- are decoration of the car, giving it an attractive and noble appearance.
Disadvantages of low profile tires
Despite the listed advantages of low tires, this rubber has a number of disadvantages:
- High dependence of low-profile tires on the quality of the road. That is, all the advantages of this rubber listed above take place only when driving on a high-quality road with a good even surface. It is not recommended to use such tires on off-road tracks.
- The lifespan of low profile tires is much shorter than conventional tires. This is especially evident on bad roads - the likelihood of a puncture and damage to the discs is quite high.
- A long idle car with low tires is highly undesirable. The fact is that at the point of contact of the tire with the coating, the rubber undergoes deformation. Approximately the same thing happens when leaving the garage - the steering wheel begins to vibrate. However, after the first 4-5 km, the vibration disappears.
- Since such tires are quite low, the depreciation of the car is noticeably reduced. This is especially true on rough roads.
- Impact on driving comfort. The contact patch with the road of such tires is quite extensive, and as a result, noise increases, which can be unpleasant for the driver.
- Such rubber costs much more than ordinary tires, and its installation will also require considerable costs.
- Low-profile tires require increased control of inflation pressure: even small deviations from the specified parameters can lead to undesirable results.
- Aquaplaning. This effect is greatly increased in low tires due to their large width. Therefore, driving in rainy weather requires caution.
- Large load on the suspension due to the increase in the width of the rim.
- Difficulty mounting wheels with low profile tires.
The second problem is considered by many motorists to be more difficult - not even every professional can solve it. Therefore, always before purchasing a low-profile tire, try on the rim to the suspension and check whether the wheel will catch parts of the body after installation or not.
Well-Known Low Profile Tires
When choosing low profile tires, you will have to take into account not only the recommendations of the car brand, but also the tire company - avoid fake or low-quality tires, otherwise you may run the risk of becoming the culprit of an accident.
Here are some brands of low profile tires that are the most trusted in the motoring world.
Tire BFGOODRICH G-GRIP 255/35R19
These are summer tires made in the USA. Its main advantages:
- provides the car with increased stability due to a special rib located in the center of the tread;
- has self-locking sipes, making braking more reliable;
- shoulder blocks are significantly reinforced, which increases the machine's directional stability;
- high-quality drainage from the contact patch of the tire with the road.
Tire Pirelli Winter SottoZero serie III – 225/45R17 91H
These winter tires are produced in Italy. They are mainly used for high-speed machines of high power. Main advantages:
- the tread pattern is made in a symmetrical form, due to which the wheels have a sufficiently high grip with the road surface;
- provides reliable stability to the car;
- fairly high speed parameters;
- 3D sipes allow you to move without spikes when needed;
- A special rubber compound is used in the manufacture, which gives them durability.
Tire Goodyear Wrangler F1 – 275/40 ZR20 102W
American rubber designed for crossovers and SUVs. Her virtues:
- the projector layer is equipped with special blocks that enhance traction;
- give the car excellent stability and controllability;
- with such tires, the car accelerates quickly enough;
- little noise;
- you can drive in urban areas.
Tires Continental ContiWinterContact TS 850 - 245/40 ZR18 97W XL FR
Developed in Germany. Advantages:
- special blocks in the tread layer provide high permeability;
- the lamellas are placed quite tightly, which makes the car more stable on slippery slopes;
- The lateral parts of the tires are designed in such a way that the machine acquires good stability and maneuverability.
- fast and reliable braking.
Conclusion
When installing low-profile tires on your car, you need to know that it is produced in a variety of sizes for any brand of car.
Before purchasing such tires, be sure to consider the conditions in which you plan to operate the vehicle, because these tires will be more reliable on high-quality road surfaces.
Also, follow the machine manufacturer's recommendations and do not reduce the profile of the tires below the norm specified in these recommendations. Otherwise, undesirable consequences may occur, such as a reduced level of safety and comfort, as well as premature wear of the undercarriage parts of the machine. Good luck and safe journey!
If we consider fashion trends among motorists, we can see that the acquisition of low-profile rubber is the most widespread. With the onset of the summer season, low-profile tires scatter from store shelves almost instantly. What is it that attracts car owners so much? In order not to make a mistake with the choice, you need to carefully study all the disadvantages and advantages of low-profile tires in comparison with conventional ones.
History of occurrence
In 1937, Michelin became the first manufacturer of low profile tires. Then the majority was in a deplorable state, and the technical parameters of the car did not contribute to the spread of low-profile tires among ordinary car owners. General recognition came to them only after 40 years. In 1977, new modifications for racing cars were released, which became the prototypes of modern tires. It was this moment that became the starting point for the mass use of low-profile tires on ordinary roads. Today, almost all manufacturers have their own line of low-profile car tires.
Technical features
What is a low profile tire? If the ratio of the height of the tire to the width is less than 70%, then it is commonly called a low profile tire. The size of low profile tires is marked with three numbers in the format XX / YY RZZ, for example, 245/60 R18. The first number is the profile width, the second is the height, and the third is the inner diameter. The height of the tire profile is otherwise called a series. It is considered that low-profile tires are all tires with a series below 55.
One of the main differences between tires with a low profile from all the others is the speed index H (210 km / h), V (240 km / h). For sports car tires, such an index W, Z, Y exceeds 240 km. Standard tires have index T (speed up to 190 km/h). Such tires can be installed on most small cars. Due to the presence of a rigid rim, they boast a fairly long service life.
As the automotive industry developed, the speed of cars increased. Accordingly, there was a need for more massive brakes and better grip of tires with the roadway. The dimensions of the brake discs are limited by the dimensions of the wheel rim. To increase the diameter of the rim, it is necessary to change the outer diameter of the tire, otherwise there simply will not be enough air inside the tire. In this regard, reducing the profile, it is necessary to increase the width of the tire, which will lead to an increase in the area of contact with the road.
It is worth noting that such tires have the ability to remember their position while parking. After the car stops, the area of the tire that is in direct contact with the road gradually cools down and becomes flat. If the car has been motionless for a long period of time, then at first the steering wheel may shake and the quality of movement may deteriorate. After the tires warm up while driving, the car will become stable again.
A lot depends on how long the car was left stationary. If this is a long period of time, then changes in the tires cannot be corrected with normal warming up. Those who know in advance that they will not drive a car for a long time are recommended to put it on special props. Thanks to this, the load on the tires can be avoided. Those who do not have the ability to install props can simply pump up the tires and.
Benefits of low profile tires
Tires with a low profile have a number of advantages. Low profile tire improves vehicle handling. At the moment the car enters a turn at high speed, there is practically no swaying of the body, which is characteristic of other rubber. Swing is usually caused by a change in the shape of the tire under the influence of high loads. The high level of stability of the machine gives the driver more room to maneuver when driving at high speed without the risk of getting into a ditch.
By installing such tires, you can achieve good control sensitivity - the driver will be able to notice even the slightest roughness of the roadway and adjust the trajectory of the car. Light-alloy wheels with low-profile tires reduce the total weight of the wheels, which, in turn, contributes to faster acceleration and braking of the vehicle.
Disadvantages of Low Profile Tires
The disadvantages of low-profile rubber are related to its height. The lower the tire, the less softening layer between the road and the car. Such tires are not advised to be used for driving on roads with poor-quality road surfaces, since any unevenness will immediately be given to the steering wheel. Because of this, the level of driving comfort decreases, the condition of the body also deteriorates. Due to increased loads, their service life is noticeably reduced.
The increased level of stability requires the driver to make some serious efforts at low speed. In this regard, low-profile tires are almost never installed on cars that do not have a steering wheel.
Whether it is worth buying low-profile tires is a personal matter for every motorist. And if, after evaluating all the advantages and disadvantages, you still decide to choose such tires as shoes for your “iron horse”, think about which roads your route will most often run on. Tires with a low profile perform well during high-speed driving on good tracks and are completely unsuitable for suburban roads.
A low-profile tire is a summer or winter “shoe” for cars operating on a flat asphalt surface that provides improved acceleration and braking performance and handling, but negatively affects comfort and smoothness. Produced by a large number of tire manufacturers (Michelin, Nokian, Pirelli, etc.) for use on public roads and special racing tracks. It costs more than regular high profile tires. This is especially true for professional motorsport models.
Key features of low profile tires
Initially, tires were considered low-profile, in which the ratio of the cross-section (height) and width did not exceed 80%. However, any model of modern rubber for a passenger car fits into this category. Therefore, the conditional indicator is reduced to 55%. Previously, this ratio was typical for tires with a "very" low profile.
To recognize such rubber, look at the markings that are applied to the sidewall. Let's look at the example of tires 225 / 40R17.
- 225 - tire width (in mm);
- 40 is the ratio between height and width (in %). Pay attention to this number. For tires with a low profile, it is less than or equal to 55. To calculate the result in millimeters, multiply the first digit (225 in our case) by 0.4. Get 90.
Buying low profile tires is a great choice for owners of premium cars, such as luxury sedans and coupes with powerful engines used in the city. It is indispensable for participants in sports competitions (amateur and professional) held on asphalt tracks. Suitable for car owners who want to tune the vehicle, but who are aware of the features of the operation of the car after its installation. 
Advantages
1. Improvement of speed characteristics.
The low profile tires have an aggressive tread pattern that promotes a dynamic ride.
2. Ensuring fast acceleration and effective braking.
Modern low-profile rubber models have improved traction due to a rigid structure and a special tread pattern.
3. Increased vehicle stability when cornering.
Precise handling is the main change that car owners notice after switching from high-profile tires to low-profile tires. The car feels more stable thanks to improved steering response and a larger contact patch with the road surface. These tires provide high directional stability.
4. Give the car a more attractive appearance.
Tires with a low profile are used for tuning cars. Visually increase the wheels and allow you to install cast or forged wheels of large size. Thanks to this, the appearance of the vehicle is transformed.
5. Reduced fuel consumption.
The lower weight of the wheel (tire and rim assembly) has a positive effect on rolling resistance. This reduces the average fuel consumption of the vehicle. 
Disadvantages of low profile tires
1. Dependence on the condition of the road surface.
Such tires show the best qualities on repaired and new roads. Only on a flat asphalt surface is provided a reduction in braking distance, improved handling and directional stability.
The tire is not able to demonstrate impressive results on country roads, on soils with low bearing capacity (sands, wetlands), where specialized arched tires with increased width are required.
2. High probability of getting damaged.
Low profile tires are sensitive to shock, shock and vibration loads. It is undesirable to operate tires with a low profile on broken asphalt roads and rough terrain, where there is a high probability of getting a puncture and damage to the rim.
3. Deterioration of comfort.
High profile rubber - softer and more comfortable. Provides smooth movement without shaking and vibration on poor quality roads. Tires with a low side profile transmit the unevenness of the road to the suspension and the car body. Therefore, driving on low-profile tires outside of high-speed autobahns and repaired asphalt roads turns into flour.
4. Reducing the resource of parts and suspension elements.
A wheel with a low profile tire absorbs shock less. As a result, the load on the chassis of the vehicle increases. Irregularities in the roadway (pits and potholes) are transmitted to the suspension elements, reducing their resource and increasing the likelihood of damage due to careless driving.
This disadvantage is relevant in the case of tuning a passenger car and self-assembly of low profile rubber. If such tires are installed by the car manufacturer from the factory, i.e. are supplied in the original configuration, the suspension elements are not threatened with accelerated wear. The chassis of the vehicle was originally developed for low-profile tires and is adapted to increased loads.
5. High cost.
Low profile tires - tires with an aggressive tread pattern and sporty characteristics. When developing them, special technologies are used that are aimed at improving performance, which increases the final cost.
When buying such tires, you will have to take larger diameter rims, which are more expensive.
6. Increased noise and increased likelihood of aquaplaning effect.
Large tire width increases the contact area with the road. This has a positive effect on traction, but negatively affects noise and hydroplaning resistance.
Tire manufacturers have partially learned to cope with these shortcomings. Continental's ContiSilent technology uses a special polyester-polyurethane-based sound-absorbing layer bonded to the inner sealing layer. As a result, the tires become.
Video: Low profile tires pros and cons. Just about complex
The best summer and winter models
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 4;
- Nokian WR A4;
- Pirelli Ice Zero R;
- Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2.
Low profile tires allow you to realize the power potential of the car and improve handling. However, before buying and installing, weigh the pros and cons, not forgetting the presence of serious flaws.
Today I want to talk to you about low profile tires, namely what is it and why is it needed at all? After all, now there are a lot of cars (I think more than 80%) that are equipped with just such rubber. Whether it's good or bad, read on...
To begin with, as usual, the definition.
Low profile tires (tires) -these are tires whose cross-section to tire width ratio does not exceed 0.8 (80%). There are also tires with a "very" low profile if the ratio (height to width) is below 0.55 (55%)
In simple words - already from the name it is clear that such rubber has a low (side) profile compared to the width of the wheel tire.
For a complete understanding
For example - on my car there are Hankook OPTIMO wheels (for winter -) with a dimension of R16 205/55.
Where, R16 - denotes with 16 inches of wheel diameter.
But we are interested in the second size 205/55. This is just the ratio of the width and height of the profile. 205 mm is the width of the wheel. 55 is the ratio of the profile height and width, in this case it is 55%, if you calculate the exact size - it turns out 205 X 0.55 = 112.75, the side of the wheel is 112.75 mm. That is, the ratio of 205 and 112.75 gives such a name.
Why is it needed at all?
To be honest, now almost all tires can be called low profile, because the width of the wheel will almost always be greater than the height of the cord. Therefore, there are sizes with a cord height of 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, etc. But it is very rare to find a tire where the height and width of the wheel were the same! Let's say R18 255/100, as is clear, the width here is equal to the height of the profile. These tires are mainly used on large off-road vehicles, or all-terrain vehicles, to travel in swampy areas. Here is an example of Interco Bogger rubber, it has the same height and width, this tire in the photo has a dimension of R16 255/100
BUT such rubber is useless in the city, and I would even say harmful (its use in impassable - swampy - snowy areas)! Indeed, in the city, most of the roads are asphalted and smooth, and such rubber will not allow you to move quickly and economically, the car will have to push this tire with effort, because it is heavy and relatively soft and wrinkles very much (something like a pillow, due to the high profile). However, these types can withstand the maximum weight or, which is why they are put on large vehicles (trucks, tractors, large buses).
Therefore, the second type was invented - a low-profile tire, specifically for the urban regime. After all, the lower the height of the wheel, the stiffer the wheel, and accordingly it rolls better, contributes to the stability of the car (especially in corners), and fuel consumption is reduced (and decently). On these types, you can quickly move on asphalt roads, usually quite high. But such rubber will not be able to hold a lot of weight, not for commercial vehicles (it is almost always put on cars), it is absolutely useless off-road, all because it is tough, and the tread is not designed to "dig" dirt or snow. In general, my advice to you is not to poke your head into serious mud with such tires, even if you have an all-wheel drive SUV!
The third type was created for very high speeds, it has a very low rate and ratio - only 25, 30 and 35%, for example, such a size as R16 215/35 (Yokohama S.Drive AS01), as you can see, the cord of this rubber is only 35% of 215 mm (75.25 mm) is really low.
With this size, driving even in the city is not very comfortable, because there are pits, tram tracks and other irregularities. The car will be very hard (not comfortable), and the suspension and wheels may also suffer from this. Such a very low profile is needed for racing tracks and roads where the road is completely flat. It should be noted that the speed it keeps really high.
Now a short video, using the example of my car, I tried to explain in simple words.
Ultimately
As you understand, on the one hand, a low profile saves gasoline and gives better car handling, and on the other hand, you should not choose too low a profile - you will often repair disks and suspension. I’ll tell you from experience - I have a friend at the “tire fitting”, he said that a very low size will simply kill your disk, just one hit at speed is enough (for example, they flew into a pit or hit a tram track). Moreover, the disk and even the suspension suffer. So think and choose the right tires! That's all sincerely your AUTOBLOGGER.
The vast majority of car enthusiasts will agree with the statement that low profile tires significantly improve the exterior of almost any vehicle, giving it solidity, aggressiveness and style. It is for this reason that every year more and more drivers in the off-season prefer to “shoe” their car in fashionable summer models with a low profile.
A bit of history
The first low profile tires were introduced in 1937. These were tires of the 88th series, presented by the famous Michelin brand. Despite its external attractiveness, this rubber was not widely used, the reason for this was both the condition of the roads and the technical characteristics of the car of that time. These factors have made low profile tires unsuitable for everyday use. On the other hand, this model was highly appreciated in the racing environment.
The “wide” tire was remembered only four decades later, when Pirelli presented the P6 and P7 tires, which later became legendary. Appearing on the roads in 1977, these models aroused great interest among motorists, which only increased every year. This fact is confirmed by the fact that today such tires are in the lineup of every serious tire manufacturer.
Advantages and disadvantages
According to existing standards, low-profile rubber is a tire in which the ratio of the height of the profile to the width of the tire does not exceed 60 percent. For example, if the side surface of the tire is marked 210/70 R18 95 V, then this means that the model has:
- The tread width is 210 mm.
- Landing diameter - 18 inches.
- The radial arrangement of the cord - R.
- The profile height to width ratio is 70%.
If we compare the models under consideration with standard counterparts, we can see that the former differ in a noticeably large ratio of tire width to its height.
So, besides the stylish look, what makes low profile tires so attractive? Recall that low-profile tires are focused primarily on speed and it appeared exactly when this characteristic of transport began to increase. It is not difficult to explain this fact. High-speed cars need more efficient brakes, and low-profile models have a wider tread than standard models for better traction and a larger contact patch. Increasing this parameter while maintaining the proportions of a conventional tire would provoke an incorrect perception of the weight of the car.
Thus, the tire manufacturers only increased the tread width, creating a low-profile tire, which, compared to traditional models, has both pluses and minuses.
So, the indisputable advantages of low-profile tires include:
- Reducing the braking distance.
- Increased road grip.
- Fast set speed.
- Improved vehicle handling.
As for the shortcomings, they are obvious. Low profile tires:
- Noise louder.
- Less resistant to
- Creates a great return on the suspension.
- Worse absorbs bumps.
- Less comfortable.
Low profile tire pressure
Owners of cars shod with low-profile tires need to carefully monitor. Due to the design features of such tires, low air pressure in the chamber can cause distortion of the sidewalls, which leads to more intensive wear of the rubber. Therefore, experts advise regularly checking and maintaining the pressure at the level recommended by the tire manufacturer for maximum load and speed (usually this is the V or H index). We also note that this parameter is checked exclusively in the cold state of the rubber.
Among other things, it must be remembered that tires with a low profile in the parking lot “remember” their position. In other words, after stopping the car, the contact patch of the tire is flattened, after which it hardens, keeping the flat tread areas after the resumption of movement. As a result, the first few kilometers of the road can be uncomfortable, until the rubber warms up and takes the correct shape. In situations where the car has been standing for quite a long time, or the tires have not been stored correctly during the off-season, before using low-profile rubber in its chambers, the pressure should be raised to the level indicated above.
