Why do cars with low profile tyres tramline more?

ph03n!x · 25th May 2010, 17:37

How about tire pattern? Would a unidirectional tire tramline more? The S.Drives I run have a line in the middle which, I felt, is why my car tramlines (Edges of this line aligning with whatever there is on the road). Damn thing also aquaplanes like crazy...

iraghava · 30th May 2010, 16:26

I think the two factors that influence it is if you upsize to a much larger tyre, it somehow plays a significant part even if the size is not low-profile. For eg. my old VTEC used to tramline on 195/60 PP1's but didn't on any of the 185-profiles that I ever tried on it. Secondly, aggressive or sports tyres do have a tendency to tramline more, partly due to their stiffer sidewall.

Also, in some cars I think the wheel width in relation to the tyre width also does play a part but then that's just a hunch I have.

Buffetfan · 13th September 2010, 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by ph03n!x

How about tire pattern? Would a unidirectional tire tramline more? The S.Drives I run have a line in the middle which, I felt, is why my car tramlines (Edges of this line aligning with whatever there is on the road). Damn thing also aquaplanes like crazy...

I am sure not many know that S.drives are not exactly known for their wet grip. You should try C.Drives instead. See http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/tyre-a...ml#post2022454

gou · 4th October 2010, 15:37

I came across this nice small write up on tramlining - http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robert....tramlining.pdf.

According to this 4 factors that affect the tramlining are:
1. suspension geometry
2. free play in the steering
3. tyre wall rigidity
4. height of the sidewall (the tyre profile)

The tyres with stiffer side wall or less height of sidewall will tramline more. Reason being that they will be transfer the force to the rims more.

vasoo · 4th October 2010, 18:56

I though it is obvious from the fact that trams, which has zero profile wheels (no rubber) stay on-course due to the wheels griping the road/rails better. So naturally the more rubber you have between wheels and road the less it will stick on to the road, eh?

Livnletcarsliv · 15th November 2021, 13:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

It just be just me. I noticed this immediately after getting the 16 inch wheels on my Vtec, last night in an RS and earlier in a Swift. The tramlining on each of these cars was experienced on Marine Drive...a road I use daily and thus know very well.

Thus, the question : Why do cars with low profile tyres tramline more? And sometimes, annoyingly so?

Tramlining is not limited to low profiles alone. It happens in every car. Probably, it is due to the way how the suspension and steering system is designed to have that flexibility.

It's just that the effect is more felt with low profile tyres and marginally felt in high ones.

25th May 2010, 17:37	#16
ph03n!x Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coimbatore Posts: 2,566 Thanked: 5,960 Times	How about tire pattern? Would a unidirectional tire tramline more? The S.Drives I run have a line in the middle which, I felt, is why my car tramlines (Edges of this line aligning with whatever there is on the road). Damn thing also aquaplanes like crazy...
	() Thanks

30th May 2010, 16:26	#17
iraghava Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bhaiyyaland Posts: 8,033 Thanked: 265 Times View My Garage	I think the two factors that influence it is if you upsize to a much larger tyre, it somehow plays a significant part even if the size is not low-profile. For eg. my old VTEC used to tramline on 195/60 PP1's but didn't on any of the 185-profiles that I ever tried on it. Secondly, aggressive or sports tyres do have a tendency to tramline more, partly due to their stiffer sidewall. Also, in some cars I think the wheel width in relation to the tyre width also does play a part but then that's just a hunch I have.
	() Thanks

4th October 2010, 15:37	#19
gou BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 84 Thanked: 3 Times View My Garage	I came across this nice small write up on tramlining - http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robert....tramlining.pdf. According to this 4 factors that affect the tramlining are: 1. suspension geometry 2. free play in the steering 3. tyre wall rigidity 4. height of the sidewall (the tyre profile) The tyres with stiffer side wall or less height of sidewall will tramline more. Reason being that they will be transfer the force to the rims more. Last edited by gou : 4th October 2010 at 15:39.
	() Thanks

4th October 2010, 18:56	#20
vasoo Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Memphis TN Posts: 1,039 Thanked: 246 Times View My Garage	I though it is obvious from the fact that trams, which has zero profile wheels (no rubber) stay on-course due to the wheels griping the road/rails better. So naturally the more rubber you have between wheels and road the less it will stick on to the road, eh?
	() Thanks