What is it with wheels and tires?

Selective · 17th June 2005, 19:48

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 · 17th June 2005, 20:00

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 · 17th June 2005, 20:13

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 · 17th June 2005, 20:18

@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 · 17th June 2005, 23:07

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 · 19th June 2005, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by drifter

@techno

should get it in 4-5 months.

Drifter

what ? the tyres or the chip ?

speedsatya · 19th June 2005, 19:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by normally_crazy

what ? the tyres or the chip ?

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

revtech · 25th June 2005, 00:24

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

Rev

17th June 2005, 19:48	#1
Selective BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 305 Thanked: 109 Times	What is it with wheels and tires? 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? Last edited by Selective : 17th June 2005 at 19:49.
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17th June 2005, 20:00	#2
drifter Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,488 Thanked: 75 Times View My Garage	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 Last edited by drifter : 17th June 2005 at 20:04.
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17th June 2005, 20:13	#3
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,813 Thanked: 2,700 Times	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
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17th June 2005, 20:18	#4
drifter Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,488 Thanked: 75 Times View My Garage	@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
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17th June 2005, 23:07	#5
speedsatya Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: bangalore/manga Posts: 3,169 Thanked: 738 Times View My Garage	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.
	() Thanks

25th June 2005, 00:24	#8
revtech Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,992 Thanked: 38 Times View My Garage	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 Rev
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