Low Profile Tires Uncovered: What Are They Used For and Why Are They So Popular?

The tires are an integral part of the suspension system, which means they bear the weight of the complete vehicle and ensure that it operates properly. As a result, this component is subjected to the most stress while it is in motion. This stress can take the form of weights, friction, abrasions, high temperatures, and even high pressures.

What are low profile tires used for?

In particular, the tire is the only component of the vehicle that makes direct contact with the road, which enables the vehicle to move forward through the use of momentum and to slow down when it is necessary to do so.

Nowadays, a lot of people choose to use low profile tires because of the many benefits they provide, including enhanced aesthetics when combined with the use of large wheels, which makes the vehicle appear more sporty, assists the vehicle in improving its grip, and improves the effectiveness with which it brakes.

Low profile tires, in addition to being more aesthetically appealing, also provide a more accurate handling feel, which is particularly noticeable when the vehicle is being driven at high speeds or through tight turns. This document will demonstrate the various applications for low profile tires that are used on standard vehicles.

What Are Low Profile Tires?

The rubber portion of a wheel that extends from the rim’s edge down to the pavement is known as the tire. To determine which tires have a low profile, we can use the height of the tire in relation to the breadth of the tire surface as our determining factor. (the tire is in contact with the road surface).

Low profile car tire

According to the calculations of the company that makes tires, low profile tires typically have an above rate of no more than fifty percent or less. Take, for instance, the tire size P235/40R18. This indicates that the tire wall height is comparable to 94 millimeters high because it is 40% of the width of the tire, which measures 235 millimeters in length. This measurement can be viewed by drivers on the printed side of the tires.

It is important to keep in mind, however, that even when two tires have the same aspect ratio, they might not be the same thickness. To give you an illustration, 185/55 R15 tires absolutely need to have thinner sidewalls than 205/55 R16 tires do. The majority of people favor low profile tires because they give the vehicle an appearance that is chic and sporty, much like racing cars.

Benefits of Low Profile Tires

The vehicle’s exterior can be improved aesthetically by installing low profile tires, which also give the impression that the vehicle is more athletic. In addition to that, the large tread width of low profile tires allows them to have a greater grip on the road.

However, the narrower low profile tires help the car function more precisely and give the driver a feeling of adventure, particularly when the vehicle is traveling at a high speed. However, because the tread surface of low profile tires is so shallow, they produce a significantly greater level of road noise. Additionally, because of the broad rim of the low profile tires, larger brakes are required, which results in improved braking effectiveness.

The undercarriage of the vehicle includes the tires as another component. When driving a vehicle with low profile tires, the driver is able to feel every speed edge and unevenness in the road surface. This is true even if the suspension was intended to accommodate vehicles with thin-wall tires, which is not always the case.

Drawbacks of Low Profile Tires

Because the tread structure and fiber structure of both conventional and low profile tires are not very dissimilar to one another, the tensile strength of low profile tires is equivalent to that of conventional tires under the proper conditions of use and storage.

However, low profile tires are frequently used on vehicles that operate in high performance or working circumstances. Since low profile tires move more roughly than conventional tires, they are more likely to be damaged. You can give your car the appearance of being more sporty by equipping it with larger wheels, low-profile tires, and a suspension that is intended to accommodate the lower profile of these tires.

However, because tires are also a component of the suspension, replacing large wheels with low-profile tires will result in an increase in the amount of noise that is generated within the vehicle whenever it is in motion, and the damping effect may not be sufficient to satisfy the requirements. In addition, low-profile tires have a smaller cushion between the rim and the road, which means that the motorist is more aware of any bumps or uneven surfaces along the route.

When there are an excessive number of “obstacles” or potholes on the road, it is easy for tires to become “slashed,” which causes them to deflect and break. After it has happened, you will need to thoroughly replace the tire because it cannot be repaired. In particular, the cost of low profile tires is significantly greater when compared to the cost of conventional tires.

For this reason, motorists who are traveling on low profile tires need to monitor the pressure in their tires more frequently. When the tire is too small and thin, driving the vehicle over a small pothole can cause powerful impulses that cause the wheel to become damaged more quickly.

Michelin Acorus – Technology to “Protect” the Low Profile Tires

The Michelin Acorus technology is distinguished by the addition of two rubber patches to the inside of the tire as well as a cap made of an extremely flexible material that is placed on the outside of the tire. These components work together to enable the vehicle to more easily navigate over the pothole without the risk of the tire exploding or causing damage to the wheel.

Following receipt of a patent, this technology was developed by Michelin in collaboration with industry professionals from the wheel manufacturer Maxion Wheels, which is well-known for its OEM wheels. The goal of this collaboration was to develop a “intelligent” wheel line for use with the Michelin Acorus technology.

The coming together of these two “giants” in the industry is expected to result in the creation of a flawless wheel line, an increase in the driving sensation provided by thin-walled tires, and increased protection against the risk of tire explosions. In addition, the utilization of low-profile tires will result in a reduction in pollution thanks to this technology.

The new line of Michelin tires for automobiles emphasizes the benefits of thin tires, which improve aesthetics, produce a sporty feel, and enhance the sensation of being able to operate the vehicle.

On the one hand, the tire technology developed by Michelin helps to mitigate one of the drawbacks of low profile tires, which is that the tires are less likely to be protected from explosions, tears, or deterioration. The wheels have increased durability so that the poor roadways are not deformed when they go into potholes. When traveling, the new technology also helps minimize the noise from the wheels that is reflected back into the cabin.

Users’ overall vehicle safety can be improved thanks to Michelin’s latest technological advancements in the company’s tires. The collision causes the car to explode, which makes it very hazardous for the tire to drag and lose the vehicle, flip the vehicle over, and other similar outcomes.

Another important advantage of this new tire is that it makes the wheels more resilient, so they wear out less quickly and have a smaller impact on the overall cost of replacement. This helps to lower the cost of the replacement.

Final Verdict