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First, let me give you my experience level...9 years in Alaska, 3 years in upstate New York (Snowtown USA), 3 years in northern Utah (in the mountains where the Olympics were). Let's just say, I have driven in a LOT of snow. Now for the answer I think you are looking for:
It depends mostly on the type of snow you generally have in your area. If it is very cold and you have mostly powder snow, then narrower tires would be your best bet because it will push the snow out of the way much easier. Powder snow on the highway is most often associated with the appearance of dust in your rear view mirror. BTW, if the temperature is very cold and you have powder snow, it is very hard and sometimes impossible to make a snowball...it just falls apart when you let go of it.
If on the other hand, you get mostly wet snow (makes a snowball easily and tightly) a wider tire would be your best bet since it has more channels in the surface with which to grip the snow. Since it is wider, it will also tend to ride up away from the ice formed on the roadway itself from the compacted snow of other drivers.
That all being said, once the snow on the roadway turns to ice the only way you are going to get sufficient traction to be really safe is with the use of studded tires. The difference in traction is actually VERY dramatic.
Depending upon how much you drive in the snow, chains may be in order and they are much easier to apply to narrow tires. The wider the tire, the less clearance you have from the car's body parts. Chain damage can get very expensive extremely quickly. NOTE: Chains do virtually nothing for you on sheer ice and sometimes actually lessen your traction because steel is hard and skates across the ice easily.
This depends on the snow conditions and how you intend to operate you vehicle.
Narrow tires tend to produce more traction until they dig in and the chassis touches the ground and you are stuck.
Wider tires tend to not dig in so deep but can slip more on a snow surface.
These basics do not apply to ice covered by snow or icy conditions.
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I need to add (from poster #1) about studded tires, chains on etc. You need to check with the DOT of the state you are in or traveling through. Stud tires AND/OR chains may be very well illegal to use in said states. This would be up to you to verify. Even a simply check with the State (of interest) Highway Patrol would be able to assist this question. Personally, out here in the upper midwest, both have been illegal to use for several decades. They are very destructive to roadways, highways and interstates. If you are 'outback', they may be wonderful, but with most people who live in areas who need them--having a 4X4 of some sorts, they absolutely have been made illegal for use in many states. Good Luck on deciding if you can use in your area.
What else can I help you with?
Why do people say that narrow tires work better in snow conditions compared to wider tires. Narrow tires can cut through the snow but the ice underneath would just make it too slippery right?
Why do you assume there is ice underneath the snow? In most instances there is no ice under the snow. The narrow tire can get down to the pavement easier than a wide tire.
How much do wide tread tires cost?
More than narrow tread tires.
What are the differences between wide tires and narrow tires on a bicycle, and how do they impact the overall performance and handling of the bike?
Wide tires provide more stability and traction, making them better for off-road or rough terrain. Narrow tires are lighter and offer less rolling resistance, making them faster on smooth surfaces like roads. Wide tires absorb more shock and provide a smoother ride, while narrow tires are more agile and responsive for quick maneuvers. Overall, the choice between wide and narrow tires depends on the type of riding you do and your personal preferences for performance and handling.
Why wider tires are more efficient than narrower tires at normal speed?
Your question makes the assumption that the question is true. Wider tires are not more efficient than narrow tires at normal speed in all conditions. Wider tires do provide more traction and stopping power on dry or wet pavement as they have more tread contacting the road. But a wide tire that is worn also has a higher tendency to hydroplane on a wet road than a narrow tire. In snowy conditions a narrower tire is almost always a better choice. Wide tires tend to float over the snow instead of digging in and they usually provide less traction. Wide tires also may provide less fuel economy than a narrow tire. It depends on many factors.
Will all 16 inch tires fit 16 any inch rims?
No, the tire may be to narrow or too wide for the rim.
What is the opposite of narrow?
The opposed of narrow is wide.
Are thinner tires better on snow and ice than wide ones?
No wide tyres or better because the give more grip Actually wider tires don't give you more grip in snow. They simply allow more snow to pile up in front of the tire. On Ice or snow pack a wider tire will provide better grip but in deep snow the thinner tire works better. Chicago winters taught me that.
Are "M+S" tires the same as "mud tires"?
Not exactly. Mud tires are a specialized tire that are very wide causing the vehicle to sink less in mud or snow and are typically used in lower snow and mud conditions. "M+S" stands for "Mud + Snow" and are a bit thinner than mud tires meaning you will sink a bit more into the snow with them and get better grip in high snow or mud conditions. Check the forecast for Alaska and then decide which kind of tire you will need.
Can I put P205 70R16 tires in place of P255 70R16?
No, that's going so narrow they may not inflate properly on a wide rim.
Does a wide tire get better traction than a narrow tire?
You don't say what kind of surface you will be driving on. Probably the most challenging condition is snow so that will be my focus. First, let me give you my experience level...9 years in Alaska, 3 years in upstate New York (Snowtown USA), 3 years in northern Utah (in the mountains where the Olympics were). Let's just say, I have driven in a LOT of snow. Now for the answer I think you are looking for: It depends mostly on the type of snow you generally have in your area. If it is very cold and you have mostly powder snow, then narrower tires would be your best bet because it will push the snow out of the way much easier. Powder snow on the highway is most often associated with the appearance of dust in your rear view mirror. BTW, if the temperature is very cold and you have powder snow, it is very hard and sometimes impossible to make a snowball...it just falls apart when you let go of it. If on the other hand, you get mostly wet snow (makes a snowball easily and tightly) a wider tire would be your best bet since it has more channels in the surface with which to grip the snow. Since it is wider, it will also tend to ride up away from the ice formed on the roadway itself from the compacted snow of other drivers. That all being said, once the snow on the roadway turns to ice the only way you are going to get sufficient traction to be really safe is with the use of studded tires. The difference in traction is actually VERY dramatic. Depending upon how much you drive in the snow, chains may be in order and they are much easier to apply to narrow tires. The wider the tire, the less clearance you have from the car's body parts. Chain damage can get very expensive extremely quickly. NOTE: Chains do virtually nothing for you on sheer ice and sometimes actually lessen your traction because steel is hard and skates across the ice easily. In a simpler explanation, wider tyre or narrow tyre actually provide almost the same amount of surface area, thus it will not have much effect on the traction IE; you still need the same force to push a book lying flat on the table either it was placed horizontally or vertically, even standing up straight. It really matters on what kind of application and what u expect from a tyre. Narrow tyre are good in avoiding aquaplaning, thus it have better wet traction. Wider tyre have a lower profile sidewall to improve steering feedback and handling. Depends on the conditions. Hot summer day wide tires give more traction. Snowy covered roads narrow tires. This is where physics comes to play. Let's say you have a pickup truck. All four tires have 1000 pounds on each of them. (4000 pounds total) Let's say you have a wide tire that the width of the tire is 12 inches wide. To give you a rough idea 12 divided by 1000 pounds = 83 pounds per square inch on that tire. Now let's say same truck with narrow tires that are 6 inches wide. 6 divided by 1000 pounds = 166 pound per square inch. That's not the actual way you do tire contact patch weight measurements but gives you a rough idea. For snow you want weight and friction. 166 pounds would be alot better in snow. Wide would float and spin out, not getting to the bottom where the traction is. This is the same reason you see today 4x4 trucks with wide tires stuck in 6 inches of snow. And old ford model T cars (2wd) with wagon wheels driving through 6 of snow without a wheel spin. This is where width + weight per square inch + friction comes to play. If you are a race car driver. Big wide sticky tires on hot pavement would win hands down. Heat + tire contact surface area. Also narrow tires are easier to push through snow, then wide tires. Take a frozen stick of butter and try cutting it with a knife. Now try cutting a frozen stick of butter with a round shovel handle. A good majority of snow you drive through is not all going under the tire, some of it is getting pushed, Plowed out of the way just like a snow plow. So narrow would easier to push through snow and get better fuel mileage. Driving in snow, assuming you have two wide 12 inch tires in the front plowing a path 2x12=24 inch path or 2 foot wide path being plowed with the front tires. Or narrow tires 2x6=12 inch path or 1 foot wide being plowed with the front tires. 12 inch path would take less effort to push through snow.
How do bike tires differ for different events?
For riding on hard, smooth surfaces narrow smooth high pressure tires are used. For riding on soft, uneven surfaces wide knobbly low pressure tires are used. For conditions in between tires in between are used.
Why the tractors have a broad tires?
Tractors have broad tires because there is more contact with the ground and less compaction. The bigger the tractor tire the narrower it is a 52" tire is narrow but we have a 32" tire that is 34" wide.
