Why the skinny tires?
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I'm sure this has been addressed before, but I can't help but wonder why the Toyota Avalon has such skinny tires?
It's such a hot looking car and would look so much better with a wider, more aggressive looking wheel. Is there a particluar reason for this?
![Uhh...](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/1387914497.gif)
It's such a hot looking car and would look so much better with a wider, more aggressive looking wheel. Is there a particluar reason for this?
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#2
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wider tires make a big car like that one a bit harder to turn, but the major reason is highway speed noise and everyday ride comfort.. <skinnier tires also help save fuel at hwy speeds> ..being the avalon a 'cruiser' instead of a sport full size sedan, they go for comfort rather than performance
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Originally Posted by rominl
and i think fatter tires also affect the gas mileage?
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#8
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Originally Posted by Skulinex
wider tires make a big car like that one a bit harder to turn, but the major reason is highway speed noise and everyday ride comfort.. <skinnier tires also help save fuel at hwy speeds> ..being the avalon a 'cruiser' instead of a sport full size sedan, they go for comfort rather than performance
On the fuel economy issue...usually the smaller the tire footprint ( both from tire width and wheel size ) the better the fuel mileage will be due to less rolling resistance. That is why you will find tires like that on cars like the Prius and Civic Hybrid, where mileage is the most important objective.
My own preference, tire-wise, is usally for more comfort, lower noise, greater wet traction, and better resistance to impact damage. I am not looking for Formula 1 handling or lightning-quick steering response...hence I prefer a taller, narrower tire. They are becoming more difficult to find, though, on more and more cars.
Last edited by mmarshall; 09-29-05 at 03:50 AM.
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I love peanut butter.
(This random comment brought to you by Michelin. Because so much is riding on your tires)
(This random comment brought to you by Michelin. Because so much is riding on your tires)
#11
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Originally Posted by foofighter
^^^Ding Ding Ding
I think it is just a matter of the car's design and objective....a somewhat softer ride than your typical sport sedan. You're not going to put tires shaped like a rubber band on a car primarily designed for cruising....and consider the fact that the 50-60 series tires on many of today's family sedans were considered sports-car and sports-sedan tires years ago. The general industry trend.....though it doesn't suit my tastes.......has been toward lower-profile rubber for almost everything.
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Originally Posted by Final Word
I'm sure this has been addressed before, but I can't help but wonder why the Toyota Avalon has such skinny tires?
It's such a hot looking car and would look so much better with a wider, more aggressive looking wheel. Is there a particluar reason for this?![Confused](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif)
![Uhh...](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/1387914497.gif)
It's such a hot looking car and would look so much better with a wider, more aggressive looking wheel. Is there a particluar reason for this?
![Confused](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif)
![Confused](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif)
![EEK!](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/eek1.gif)
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Originally Posted by Lexusfreak
Actually, I'm not sure I agree that they are 'skinny' tires
What do you think the 'normal' size should be? ![EEK!](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/eek1.gif)
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![EEK!](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/eek1.gif)
#15
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Originally Posted by Final Word
They are 215's. The Nissan Maxima, it's direct competitor has 225's. The Acura TL has 235's. Both are slightly smaller vehicles than the Avalon. However, they both look well-balanced, at least from a frame-to-wheel perspective. I just think given at how big a car the Avalon it is, having 215's on that big a car looks awkward. Again, they look too skinny to me. I think 225's or 235's would make it look much more balanced.
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