Can anyone explain the wisdom of winter traction being better with narrower tires. I talked to one of our vendors about upgrading to DWS's for 18 stock wheels. I was thinking about 245-45x18 front and 255-45x18 rear - thinking that the wider tire would give better traction in snow. Other than the advantage of being able to rotate if all 4 were the same, he said the narrower tires would give better traction. I think the look with the wider tires in the rear would slightly enhace the appearance and I don't intend to go with spacers or new wheel and snows - while I live in MN, I am retiring in a week and will drive on my terms - not the jobs. G is currently hibernating on Dunlop OEMs.

 

Wider tires float on the snow and slush instead of cutting through to the pavement.

 

The skinnier tire, the higher ground pressure that is applied. The higher the ground pressure, the more the tires are forced to perform thus leaving you with better traction.

 

thanks for your input. At this time of the year, most of the streets have compacted snow (approaching the composition of ice) that tires can only ride over and do not reach pavement. Does the same logic apply?

 

Ground pressure is determined by the weight of the car and the psi in the tires. A skinnier tire will have a longer (but same sq inch) contact patch and the same psi on the ground.