Wheels and tires do more than just move your car; they can make driving safer, faster, and smoother. Choosing the correct tire and wheel size can even save you money on gas. At our Bountiful Mazda dealership, we thoroughly examined wheels and tires from all aspects, including their performance on wet roads and overall handling. This information helps you maximize your vehicle's capabilities. With the right wheels and tires, every trip in your Mazda can be more enjoyable and exhilarating.
How Tire and Wheel Size Change The Driving Experience
Wheels play a crucial role in not just supporting your car but also influencing its performance on the road, similar to how shoes affect a person's mobility. Larger wheels can enhance your vehicle's grip on the road, particularly when making turns or driving at higher speeds. They're adept at maintaining a solid grip on the road surface. However, there's a drawback. Larger wheels can make you feel bumps in the road more, though this may not be a significant issue if you primarily drive on well-maintained roads.
Your wheels' weight has a significant impact on driving performance. It's similar to running in heavy boots versus light shoes. Lighter wheels enable a car to react faster and move more efficiently, which is why many speed enthusiasts prefer them. With wheels made from lightweight materials, the engine doesn't have to exert as much effort to make them spin.
However, there are just as many good reasons for equipping your ride with heavier wheels. Steel wheels are sturdy and an ideal choice if you regularly tackle rough roads or prefer solid handling for towing things at the rear. They're also very durable and cheaper than high-performance wheels, which sometimes include carbon fiber or forged metals. You can also buy split-rim wheels to customize your vehicle, which is often a priority if you're into sports car racing.
Tires and Your Vehicle's Handling
The wheels and tires of your car are crucial components that significantly impact its performance. They're the only parts of the vehicle that come into direct contact with the road, so their size, material, and tread patterns considerably influence how the car behaves while driving.
The treads on your tires affect how they perform. Treads with large spaces are good at tackling uneven terrain or coping with challenging weather conditions since they can easily overcome water and debris. Tires with a thinner tread can be ideal for handling dry summer roads. They grip well to the tarmac, ensuring excellent handling and efficient fuel economy.
There are several main types of tires that you should be aware of. All-season tires offer a balance of performance and control in both summer and winter conditions. If you regularly drive in snowy and icy conditions, you should opt for winter tires, which are more geared toward the cold than all-season options. However, switching to summer tires when the weather gets warmer is essential, as winter tires are less effective on dry roads.
The composition of tires is a significant performance factor. Softer tires grip the road tightly, like race car tires, but wear out faster. Harder tires last longer, which makes them a suitable choice if durability is more important to you than top performance. They may not be as fun on turns, but they last longer.
Proper tire inflation is crucial, akin to the Goldilocks principle: not too much, not too little, but just the right amount for optimal operation. If there's not enough air, your car will drag and use more gas. If there's too much air, your ride can get bumpy and less safe. Follow the advice from the tire manufacturer to find out how much pressure they require for best performance.
Fuel Efficiency and Environmental Impact
Wheel design is not just about looks. Some designs can help to cool brakes, acting like miniature fans. Some can move air to specific spots, enabling brakes to maintain the correct temperature while working hard. This especially benefits individuals who enjoy driving at high speeds or on racetracks.
Intriguingly, smaller wheels might help you save gas. They're lighter and often have thinner tires, which means less drag on the road. That's why fuel-efficient cars often have smaller wheels. However, these wheels are less appropriate for carrying heavy loads or heading off the beaten track. For the added capabilities drivers need in such situations, the price they have to pay often means having a less fuel-efficient vehicle.
Aesthetic and Customization Options
The two main groups of drivers who like to customize their wheels or tires are racecar drivers and off-roaders. Of course, the looks they want are quite different. Racers may prioritize aerodynamic designs and eye-catching styling to enhance speed and stand out from the crowd. An off-roader may choose bold wheels to cope with whatever nature can throw at their large rims and wide tires, creating a solid driving experience.
Customization options purely for a stylistic statement are also available. For example, you may want your crossover to have sleek, dark wheels or your racecar to have painted wheels in your preferred color.
Get Tire and Wheel Services at Bountiful Mazda
Our dealership in Bountiful, Utah, provides exceptional tire and wheel services. We utilize advanced equipment to ensure precise wheel alignment and stability, check tire pressure, and fit new tires supplied by our original equipment manufacturer parts department. Our expert services enhance your Mazda's performance, fuel efficiency, and tire longevity. When wheels line up well, your vehicle drives smoother, and other parts don't wear out as fast. Contact us today to take advantage of the benefits of our professional wheel and tire services.
