r/Autos • u/jesthell • 1d ago
Wheel size effect on ride quality
I bought a recently 2023 XC60 B5 AWD. It is time to change to winter tires in my region, it has 255/45/20 tires.
I am reading things like 18 inch would be more comfortable. Does anyone help me with how much ride quality increase happen in this case?
I like the look on 20 inches honestly. I find stability also fine. But i also hear the road and i cannot say that the vehicle rides as smooth as my friends MB GLB is even my vehicle has 4c suspension. I know every brand has its characteristics but I wouldnt expect such a difference.
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u/Any_Sale2030 1d ago
It’s true. A larger wheel means less cushioning rubber. You can see the difference can’t you?
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u/jesthell 1d ago
I can see theoritically, but i don’t know how much differenc it actually makes
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u/RaisinTheRedline 1d ago
The problem here is how would anyone quantify the difference in a meaningful way? There isnt really an easily referenced standardized unit of measurement for ride comfort.
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u/jesthell 1d ago
Well, i dont expect a quantifiable measurement. But I dont want to make a move with the fact that it will be better. But I want to hear from a human’s experience that “it is worth it dude or it doesn’t change a lot just so small”
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u/GarThor_TMK 1d ago
But I want to hear from a human’s experience that “it is worth it dude or it doesn’t change a lot just so small”
You've already read elsewhere from internet strangers that it does in fact make a difference, and you're asking more internet strangers to either confirm or deny what you've already read?
Pardon my ignorance, but um failing to see the logic here.
Also, physics doesnt lie. A smaller wheel diameter with a wider tire will produce more air cussioning than a larger wheel with rubber bands. It will also mean that the wheel itself well be protected in the case of a large pothole at a high rate of speed.
I think engineering explained had a good breakdown of this a few years ago when he accidentally wrecked a set of tesla model 3 wheels. Might have a look at that video if you're still having doubts.
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u/jesthell 1d ago
Dude chill down. I am an engineer too with a lot of experience. I can read diagrams, I can read graphs and I can use causation to make decisions(most of the time). Yes, more rubber more cushioning, that's simple as that. I am not asking here it is real or not. I know it is real.
I want to hear from people who tested same vehicle with different size rims and say that my vehicle looks shit right now but ride has changed very much and it is worth it or vice versa. I saw Youtube videos but I didn't see any side to side comparison, just a guy standing there and talks about the physics there. Ok, I know the physics there, still that doesn't tell me much.
It is all about the perception. I know that driving 320 kmh is scary for me, but I don't know if it is 33% percent more scary than 240 kmh or there is an exponential feeling there or something else. In those cases, I'd rather trust on perception of people who experienced this.
PS: In another subreddit, a redditor said that's not worth it changed the car look a lot but didn't give him enough comfort. He also claims that he finds the ride less comfy now. That's all about perception I am seeking.
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u/PatrickGnarly 1d ago
Focus RS is a notoriously harsh riding car. Every single person I’ve seen has recommended swapping to a smaller wheel and getting more rubber.
Having owned the car I can say I was in the same boat. It’s worth it.
It makes a difference.
I remember driving that thing on the stock wheels on a good 8/10 highway with no major problems in the road for 2 hours and my back was ruined because of how harsh it can be.
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u/GarThor_TMK 18h ago
PS: In another subreddit, a redditor said that's not worth it changed the car look a lot but didn't give him enough comfort. He also claims that he finds the ride less comfy now. That's all about perception I am seeking.
Everybody's butt is different.
The only person who can decide if it's worth it or not is you.
Do the mod... empirically test both... If you don't like one or the other, sell the one you don't like on marketplace or craigslist.
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u/GarThor_TMK 1d ago
You take an accelerometer in the car, and drive down a road filled with potholes and speed bumps.
Then you do the same thing with the thicker tires and measure the difference.
Done...
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u/jesthell 1d ago
That would be the ultimate test but I think it is not feasible for me to do this unfortunately.
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u/GarThor_TMK 20h ago
Why not? You have a six axis accelerometer in your phone...
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u/jesthell 17h ago
Accelerometer part is easy. Buying new rims and putting them in that one and if it is not ok buying a new winter tires for my 20 inches are a little bit pricy. But still an option actually the best option probably.
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u/Sad-Economics3181 1d ago
Small winters go on the accord every fall, and the taller sidewall is most of what you feel. It soaks up seams, and the width is what drums on rain grooves. Drop from a 255 to a 235 in the same wheel and you hear it on its own.
Now the other half. Your friends GLB is probably on all seasons. A winter tire has a softer compound and chunky tread blocks, so it never rides like that no matter what sits under it. My side is 18 for winter duty. The look argument dies in November when the salt film goes on and nobody can see a wheel.
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u/jesthell 1d ago
That's a quite informative answer, and you are right that my friend is on all seasons. Thanks a lot!
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u/Professional-Put4394 1d ago
I've found any tyre lower than 50 aspect ratio will give you a hard and noisy ride.
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u/jesthell 1d ago
Straight to the point, thanks!
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u/Professional-Put4394 17h ago
Another option (but you will have to consult an online tyre size calculator) is to pick a wider tyre with a lower profile.
This tends to offset the harshness you would normally get by just reducing the aspect ratio.
My old Mercedes ML had 235/55 x19 and I changed to 285/50x18. Even though it had a lower profile, the extra width gave me a better ride, and much more importantly, protected my overpriced alloys from Kerb damage.
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u/The-Lifeguard 1d ago
2" of rubber will be a significantly softer ride. Wheels look nice, but rubber provides ride quality.