What Does Big Wheels Mean?

Those big dubs may look good, but they do little for performance.

Automotive enthusiasts have installed wider and larger diameter wheels for appearance and performance. Larger wheels can enhance performance to an extent, but going too large can be dangerous and detrimental to acceleration, handling and braking.

Larger Diameter Pros

A larger diameter wheel will allow you to use a tire with a shorter sidewall while maintaining the same overall diameter. This helps to improve handling response and steering precision, and the rim's larger internal diameter allows you to use bigger brake rotors for reduced brake fade under hard use.

Larger Diameter Cons

A larger diameter wheel moves the rim's mass further away from the wheel hub, causing the wheel to act like an energy-storing flywheel. This can affect acceleration somewhat, but it will have a disastrous effect on braking performance. You can offset this effect by installing more powerful brake calipers, more aggressive pads and larger rotors.

Wider Rim Pros

A wider rim will allow you to fit a wider tire. Wider tires enhance traction and almost every aspect of performance.

Wider Rim Cons

Wide rims can hit the suspension, the inside of the wheel well and even the fender under some circumstances. Rims with too much negative offset (mounting hub too close to the inside edge of the rim) may cause the tires to poke out past the body of the car, which is generally illegal. As a function of their increased traction, wider tires also have more fuel economy-robbing rolling resistance.

References

• Auto-Ware: Friction Circle Theory
• Edmunds Inside Line: The Dangers of Dubs
• Tire Rack: Contact Patch