What is low-profile tires? Advantages and disadvantages! Low profile tires: characteristics, pros and cons how to distinguish low-profile rubber from ordinary

If we consider trendy trends in the environment of motorists, then it can be noted that the acquisition of low-profile rubber is the most massive character. With the onset of the summer season, low-profile tires are flying away from store shelves almost instantly. What attracts car owners so much? In order not to make a mistake with the choice, it is necessary to carefully examine all the disadvantages and advantages of low-profile rubber in comparison with the usual.

History of origin

In 1937, Michelin became the first tire manufacturer with low profile. Then the majority were in a deplorable state, and technical specifications The car did not contribute to the spread of low-profile tires among ordinary machine owners. Universal recognition came to them only 40 years later. In 1977, new modifications were issued for racing carsmobiles that became prototypes of modern tires. It was this moment that became the starting point for the mass use of low-profile rubber on ordinary roads. Today, almost all manufacturers have its own line of low-profile automotive tires.

Technical features

What is a low profile tire? If the ratio of the tire height to the width is less than 70%, in which case it is called low-profile. The size of the low-profile rubber is marked with three numbers in XX / YY RZZ format, for example, 245/60 R18. The first number indicates the width of the profile, the second is height, and the third is the inner diameter. The height of the tire profile is otherwise called a series. It is believed that low-profile tires are all tires with a series below 55.

One of the main differences with a low profile tires from all other is the high-speed index H (210 km / h), V (240 km / h). For tires of sports cars, such an index W, Z, Y exceeds the mark of 240 km. Standard tires have an 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 rather long service life.

As the auto industry develops, the speed of car speed has increased. Accordingly, there was a need for more massive brakes and a better adhesion of tires with a roadbed. Dimensions brake discs limited to the size of the wheel rim. To increase the transmor of the rim, it is necessary to change the appearance of the tire, otherwise the tire simply will not be enough air. In this regard, reducing the profile, you should increase the width of the tire, which will lead to an increase in contact area with an expensive.

It is worth noting that such tires have the ability to memorize their position during parking. After stopping the car, the tire plot, which directly contacts the road, gradually cools and becomes flat. If the machine for a large period of time was without movement, then at first there may be a steering wheel shaking and deterioration in the quality of movement. After the tire movement warm up, the car will again become stable.

A lot depends on how long the machine remained in a fixed state. If it is a long period of time, then changes in the tires cannot be corrected using a conventional warming. Those who know in advance that there will be no longer ride the car for a long time, it is recommended to put it on special backups. Due to this, you can avoid the load on the tires. Those who have no opportunity to install backups can just pump tires and.

Benefits of low profile tires

Low profile tires have a number of advantages. Low profile bus allows you to improve car handling. At the time of the entry of the machine in turning at high speed, there is practically no rocking of the body, which is characteristic of other rubber. Rocking usually occurs due to changes in the shape of the tire under the influence of high loads. High level The stability of the machine gives the driver more opportunities for maneuvering when driving at high speed without risk to be in a cuvette.

Due to the installation of such tires, you can achieve good control sensitivity - the driver will be able to notice even the most insignificant irregularities of the roadway and adjust the trajectory of the movement of the machine. Alloy wheels with low-profile rubber make it possible to reduce the total weight of the wheels, which, in turn, contributes to more rapid acceleration and braking vehicle.

Low profile tire flaws

Disadvantages of low-profile rubber are associated with its height. The lower the tire, the smaller the softening layer between the road and the machine. Such tires are not advised to put on driving on the roads with poor-quality road surfaces, because any irregularity will be immediately given to steering wheel. Because of this, the level of driving comfort is reduced, the condition and body deteriorates. Due to elevated loads, their life is noticeably reduced.

Increased level of stability requires a driver of quite serious effort at low speed. Concerning low profile rubber Practically never install on cars in which there is no steering wheel.

Should I purchase low-profile tires - a personally of every car enthusiast. And if, appreciating all the advantages and disadvantages, you still decided to choose such tires as shoes for our "Iron horse", think about how your route will most often run on. Low profile tires perfectly show themselves during high-speed ride on good tracks and are not at all suitable for suburban roads.

One of the fashion trends has recently been to low-profile tires. This is especially manifested in the period of sale. summer tires. About, how to treat low-profile busWhat features it possesses, will be talked below.

What is low-profile tires?

IN modern world Low profile is considered a tire with an attitude of its profile height (tire height) to a width of 55% and lower. Thus, the low-profile tires include, for example, the following dimensions:

Given the current trends in the development of tire sizes and the emergence of new cars, it can be said that the 55th series as the border between the standard profile and low-profile will no longer be considered as such. In reality, this has already happened among those who deliberately searches for a tire with a narrow sidewall, size 205/55 R16 is not considered low-profile. And if you turn to the story, then at the dawn of the appearance of low-profile tires, the parameter separating them from standard tires, I was generally 70%! And, for example, the size of 195/70 R14 has already been considered low-profile.

For the first time, low-profile tires were issued by Michelin in 1937. However, the condition of the roads and the equipment of mass vehicles did not allow wide use of such tires and they were installed solely on racing cars.

The absence of necessary depreciation can also lead to more sad consequences than loss of comfort, as it increases, for example, the load on the car suspension. It is also worth remembering that the transition to low-profile tires is always accompanied by an increase in the seed diameter of the discs, which means that purchase is necessary. In addition, the low-profile tires themselves are usually more expensive.

How to choose?

Choose low-profile tires It is worth in accordance with the recommendation of the automaker. As a rule, the car manufacturer to each model offers 3 - 4 sizes, among which low-profile will be present. Below is an example of selecting a tire for car Ford. Focus:

If you talk about something about automotive rubberIn probably it will not prevent several examples from the history of tire production. For the first time, low-profile tires for wheels were designed at the end of the 30s of the last century in the French enterprise Michelin. But, unfortunately, at that time, such a rubber because of the poor quality of the road surface and did not receive the high cost of widespread. The mass production of low-profile tires was debugged after they were developed in 1978. Pirelli firm from Italy model P6 and P7.

Features

Low profile tires are considered to be those that have a compliance of the profile height to a width of at least 80. From rubber with high profile, low-profile tires are different high cost and high-speed indicators. Today, the latter are inferior to high-profile purchasing goods, since they are put mainly on family sedans, all-terrain vehicles and crossovers. Low profile tires are good for vehicles with sporty data.

Low profile tires are safe and has a very important advantage that is actually due to their large demand for tuning production.

Pluses of low-profile tires:

Increased contamination spot with road coating. This is favorable on the controllability of the vehicle. Usually, a low profile tires are installed on sports cars with a powerful power unit;

High tongue on leading automotive wheels at the time of overclocking;

Good car stability in the process of maneuvering. The car is well listening to the steering wheel and is clearly moving in a straight line;

A significant reduction in the braking path, and therefore, less likely that an emergency will arise.

In addition to the listed, low-profile tires and appearance of the machine and the wheels themselves gives styles and effects.

A small operational resource. But it should be taken into account that the driving style is of great importance and in what condition are the roads;

Reducing comfort in the ride process. Low profile reduces the depreciation between the wheel of the machine and the road web. As a result, the suspension suffers, and a large load is placed on the discs;

Problems with tireage. Not every tire workshop is equipped with modern equipment, and the old for the installation of such tires is not suitable.

Lifetime

Motorists want to know if the low-profile tires are faster than high-profile tires. But it is necessary to consider that tires with a low profile are made of special mixtures extending their lives. So, in their rapid wear, the main wine lies on the quality of the road surface and driving style.

Influence of tires on the suspension

Such a problem also concerns motorists very much. If there was previously low-profile tires bundled with the machine, then, naturally, all body elements and pendant parts were adapted to it. So that

problems appear when the vehicle is not intended for large-sized wheels. In this case, the Rubber with a low profile is often the cause of the rapid wear of the pendant parts.

How to choose low-profile tires?

First of all, the diameter of the wheel should take into account, for each car has its own indicator.

If the sizes will be selected incorrectly, problems can appear with a box-machine. Modern TCs that are controlled by different kind of electronics can "inadequately" perceive new tires. Even due to a small change in the height of the automotive wheel, you will have to make adjustments to the headlight settings.

If you give brief description Low profile tires, it turns out the following: Low deformation of such rubber improves the behavior of the machine. However, the disadvantages of this product come from here.

Permanent competition among car manufacturers leads to the improvement of new models of machines in terms of driving comfort and movement speed, which makes the appropriate adjustments in the design of automotive wheels. One of these key changes was the invention of low-profile rubber, which was reflected not only in the design of the car, but also on its main running qualities.

What rubber is considered low profile

The first attempts to use low-profile rubber were in 1937. The French company Michelin, which invented this type of tires on racing cars. But the negative experience of their use on ordinary roads led to the fact that a similar idea was returned only in 1978 with the help of Pirelli.

You can distinguish a simple bus from the low-profile on the marking that looks like a 225/55 R16, where the first number is the width of the tire (mm), the second is the ratio of its width and the height of the profile (in% of the expression), called the series, and the last Designation (R16) is a type of rubber: standard, low-profile or sports. In low-profile tires ratio cross section Tires to its width of less than 0.8 (less than 80%).

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What happens the tires of this type and what she is

At the moment, low-profile is considered to be tires with a series not exceeding 55, although about 30 years ago, the indicator was not higher than 70 times. Over time, as technology develops, the standards change that in the automotive rubber is manifested by a decrease in low-profile tires. When choosing a tires this type Strink from the 55 series and less. The main difference between the remaining types of rubber is the speed index: H (210 km / h) and V (240 km / h). Standard tires are T (190 km / h).

Now almost all modern rubber can be attributed to low profile, as its width is almost always greater than the height of the Cord, and the most common marking is from 50 to 75. For example, Tires R18 255/100, where the profile width is equal to its height, you can only meet only cars S. increased patency. Such wheels are useful in off-road conditions, but in the city they will not allow the car to move quickly and economically.

For this, a low-profile tire was developed, which at a small height of the wheel is more rigid, and due to this, it is well rolled, the car is more resistant to it on the turns and economically consumes fuel. Low profile rubber allows you to install brake disk Increased diameter, which is positively affected by car braking. But all these qualities are achieved due to the reduction of the profile, which in addition to the benefits revealed negative sides Low rubber.

Pros and Cons Low Profile Rubber

Low profile tires, except for giving a car more presentable and aggressive species, has the following strengths:

1. Higher speed characteristics in comparison with ordinary tires, that is, their own positive traits It will show mainly at high speeds.
2. It has high brake characteristics, providing normal braking and short brake path.
3. Provides good quality clutch of rubber and road at high speed, maintaining high-term car stability.
4. The possibility of a faster speed dialing in comparison with a car equipped with simple rubber.

Excellent speed characteristics of low-profile tires are wrapped in certain disadvantages that manifest themselves on a low-quality road surface. This is especially noticeable of damage to the suspension and all running, as well as on the disk resource - when entering the obstacle or to damage the disk or break through the tire is very easy. The main disadvantages of low-profile tires are as follows:

1. Low resource. Rubber is faster and damaged.
2. Increased tire contact area with expensive strengthens the noise created when moving.
3. The increased width of the tire and the complexity of the lead from under the water makes it prone to aquaplaning.
4. High management rigidity creates an increased load on steering and power steering.
5. The complexity of the tire is due to the absence of old one hundred equipment adapted to low-profile tires.
6. The need for enhanced tire pressure control, as even a small loss can turn into serious trouble.
7. The cost of such tires is an order of magnitude higher than their high-profile analogs, and when replacing a low-profile rubber, it may be necessary to be wider, and with a large radius disk, which is also associated with considerable expenses.

Want to know if low-profile tires are suitable for domestic cars? Find out of the video:

Low-profile rubber manufacturers

Choosing low-profile tires, first of all, you need to consider the conditions in which the car will be operated. The perfect is the smooth and smooth road similar to the racing route where it is possible to ride at high speed. Also, when choosing low-profile tires, the manufacturer's recommendations of the specific brand of cars are taken into account to the types and brands of rubber, which are suitable for installation on this model cars. Masters and the name of the brand, which traditionally produces products of reference quality.

Such manufacturers include Pirelli, Nokian, Hankook, Dunlop, Googyear, Bridgestone, Continental, Michelin, Toyo Tires, Yokohama, and others.

Outcome

Is it worth installing low-profile tires - decides every car enthusiast, weighing strong and weak sides This type of rubber. Low profile on one side provides good car handling and saves gasoline, but on the other, thanks to the unimportant quality of roads, makes it more often to repair the suspension and discs. If the choice in favor of this type of rubber is made, you need to follow more careful and neat management manner and more often control tire pressure. Beginner drivers install such wheels on the car, since until the next season, they may not live.

Manufacturers of autoresin in a competitive struggle are constantly improving their products, produce products with various properties, characteristics, sizes. One of these inventions has become a low-profile tires, let's figure it out, which means low tire profile, what advantages have such tires.

What rubber is considered low profile? You can distinguish a bus with a low profile from a simple auto strokes on the appropriate marking applied to the side of the product. Deciphering the labeling of autoresin, it can be concluded which is the height of the tire profile and whether the rubber is low-profile. For example, decoding rubber marking with a designation 225/40R16 Next:

• 225 - the width of the auto stroke is 225 mm;
• 40 - expresses the percentage between the height and width of the rubber, we obtain the height of the tire profile 225 * 0.4 \u003d 90 mm;
• R is the type of autoresin, in our case a radial tire;
• 16 - internal tire diameter or external disk.

Previously, tires having a ratio of width and height of not more than 0.8 were considered tires with a low profile. Nowadays, the tires with a very low profile have the ratio of the specified dimensions of less than 0.55. From marking 225/40R16 Obviously, the tire has a very low profile, the ratio of width and height is 40% or 0.4.

Low profile tires

If we compare tires with marking, for example, 195 / 45R15 from 205 / 45R15, then the lower tires will be lower (195 * 0.45 \u003d 87.75 mm), in the second case (205 * 0.45 \u003d 92.25 mm ). In the first embodiment, the height of the profile is less. The minimum allowable profile is considered the ratio of the width and height of the tires at the level of 0.2.

Another difference between tires with a low profile from standard autoresine is the speed index, in low-profile tires it is more than 210 km / h, and the standard parameter is 190 km / h. In addition, low-profile rubber has a special rib stiffness to protect the disc from damage. The products without the specified edge cannot be considered low-profile.

Benefits

Low profile rubber has the following advantages:

• improves high Speed \u200b\u200bCharacteristics car;
• provides fast braking;
• makes a course-resistant car even at high vehicle movement speed;
• provides the desired spot of autoresin contact with the road police;
• dynamic overclocking of the vehicle;
• does appearance car more attractive;
• the car is stable during the entry in turn.

1. The described pluses of the specified type of rubber are present when moving the car on an even road surface, the quality of the road is directly affected by the quality of the ride.
2. Reducing the operational period of rubber. When using a low profile tire on poor-quality roads, the possibility of puncture of the tire and disk deformation increases.
3. Deformation of the tire with a prolonged simple vehicle. During the downtime, the tire car comes into contact with the road surface, an autoresine form changes at the touch of contact. These changes are felt when the vehicle is departing in the form of vibration of the steering wheel and, as a rule, disappear after 4-5 km of run.
4. Reducing the car depreciation, the driver and passengers feel the road irregularities during the ride.
5. Reducing driving comfort. Increasing the contact of the contact of the contact of autoresin with an expensive leads to an increase in noise affecting the driving comfort.
6. The high cost is not only rubber, but also works on its installation.
7. Even a minor pressure deviation within the tires from the norm may lead to negative consequences. Therefore, it becomes necessary to carry out enhanced control of this parameter.
8. Increase the effect of aquaplaning. From the spots of contact of the tire with a road surface, it is difficult to remove water, due to the increase in the width of the tire.

The main problems that have to solve motorists wanting to install low-profile tires, there is a suspension load due to the increase in the width wheel Disc and mounting wheels. The first problem is solved by the acquisition alloy wheels, the second is more complicated, specialists not every hundred can cope with it. Therefore, before purchasing a low profile rubber, you need to try on the suspension disk, find out whether the mounted wheel will catch the body elements.

When choosing a low profile tires, it is necessary to be guided not only by the recommendations of the manufacturer of the car, indicating the sizes of the necessary autoresin and the operating conditions of the vehicle, but also to take into account the manufacturer of the auto strokes. The quality of low-profile rubber depends on the manufacturer, which manufactured the specified tires. By purchasing fake or poor-quality products, you can become a culprit of an accident, the car may lose controllability. We suggest you familiarize yourself with the views of low-profile tires, well-known trademarks.

Summer tire of the American manufacturer, designed for passenger cars. Advantages:

• ensuring a course stability using a special central rib placed on the tire protector;
• the presence of special self-blocking lamellae provides car braking on any road cover;
• strengthened shoulder blocks provide car coupling;
• good drain of water from the tire contact stain with expensive.

Disadvantages: Rubber is a bit noisy.

Winter tires of the Italian manufacturer, intended for powerful and high-speed passenger cars. Advantages:

• symmetrical tread pattern provides good clutch wheels with expensive;
• good car stability;
• high speed characteristics;
• thanks to the presence of special 3D lamellaes, the absence of spikes is compensated;
• products have a long operational period due to the use special composition rubber mixture.

Laders: Tires are designed for the conditions of soft winters.

Rubber of the American manufacturer, designed for SUVs and crossovers. Benefits:

• special protector layer blocks increase traction;
• good stability and handling machine;
• provide fast acceleration;
• little noise;
• suitable for urban operating conditions.

Disadvantages: punctuate.

• the protector layer contains many blocks, due to which the machine's good passability is ensured;
• the tight placement of lamellae provides the stability of the car on slippery roads;
• the sidewall design allows you to maneuver a car, it provides good stability and controllability;
• fast braking.

Ladies: High cost.

Conclusion

Low profile tires produced various sizes, it is possible to install the specified tires to almost all types of cars, dimensions are available from R13-14 to R17-24. Wanting to set a low profile rubber on the machine, evaluate the operating conditions of the vehicle, these tires perfectly behave on a good road surface. Consider the recommendations of the machine manufacturer. Excessive decrease in tire profile height can lead to negative consequences: reducing the level of comfort and safety, premature wear Parts of the chassis.