What is it with wheels and tires?

[Selective]

If you observe the four wheelers launched in India which are sold even in other countries, there is something strange I observed.

The wheels and tires which the cars wear abroad are bigger and better than what we get here. For example Swift, it wears 15 inch wheels abroad, but we get 14 inch wheels! It is the same with many other cars. Why do the car manufacturers do this? Giving the same wheels and tires as abroad is so costly?

I can understand in some other technologies that we don't get, like VVT engines, electric rear mirrors, etc, for which Indian consumers are not aware of OR not so technology savvy yet!

But what is it with wheels and tires?

[drifter]

Basically the smaller rim sizes are for better ride quality.

Smaller rims=Higher Profile Tyre=Better Ride.

Our roads are pathetic...bigger rims are more likely to be damaged...hence another reason for smaller rims.

And then theres always the cost cutting. Our market is very price sensitive...so the cheaper a car is ... the better are its chances of selling...but there are exceptions as well.

Drifter

[Technocrat]

Also in addition to what drifter said, broader tyres will result in slightly lesss mileage which again bothers the cutomers :(

@drifter: I wasn't expecting you to reply on a tyre thread

[drifter]

@techno

Hehe....i know...still in negotiations about my tyres....and also theres something new...im negotiating for the chip upgrade as well....should get it in 4-5 months.

Drifter

[speedsatya]

if the same OD is to be maintained,the larger tires with lower profiles have to be changed to smaller ones with higher profilesor vice versa

so if a car like the octavia comes with 65 profile in 15 inch,it will have 60 profile in 16inch.the decrease in profile is compensated by increased rim size.

the swift has 15inch lower profile in other countries.but here its 14 inch with larger profile so that the larger profile tire will ride better on our bad roads.this gives a better ride but at the expense of handling.
also the indian swift has 170mm ground clearance while the one sold abroad has 140mm.

[normally_crazy]

Originally Posted by drifter

@techno

should get it in 4-5 months.

Drifter

what ? the tyres or the chip ?

[speedsatya]

Originally Posted by normally_crazy

what ? the tyres or the chip ?

a new car for sure ,if he doesnt change his tires

[revtech]

a larger rim size means a thicker tyre around it.a thicker tyre will definitly reduce FE to a certain extent and the indian market is really inclined to FE.thats the first thing they consider when they are out to buy a new car.so i guess thats one of the reasons and the other is about better ride with smaller rim size and higher profile.


this link shows how inclined to FE indian customers really are !!

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/showth...highlight=Fuel (Why the heck do we care ONLY about Fuel Efficiency)


Rev