Again, Matt has the basic idea correctly. The contact patch area is
determined by the weight of the car and the tire pressure. Period. A
wider tire does not equal a larger contact area in and of itself. But as
Allen pointed out, we also have to consider different tire pressures
(possibly), sidewall construction, rubber (sticky vs. hard, hydrophilic
vs. hydrophobic), and tread pattern (ratio of tread blocks to open areas
-- compare a snow tire to a street performance tire). And, as everyone
has observed, good snow tires seem to have a narrower tread than
performance tires.
Matt Pringle had this to say:
>I could be wrong here but isn't the "weight per square inch" (ie.,
>contact pressure) dictated by the tire pressure and not the width of the
>tire. I would think the a narrow tire would have a contact patch that's
>longer in the axial direction of the car but not any smaller.
>
>Matt
>
>Ajhsys@aol.com wrote:
>>
>> In a message dated 12/16/99 11:47:37 PM Eastern Standard Time,
>> niederst@telerama.com writes:
>>
>> << One question. It is supposed to snow
>> around here a bit tomorrow. If I would happen to buy the car, how are B's
in
>> the snow (if the tires are OK)? >>
>>
>> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>>
>> I have driven all my LBCs in the snow in years past. They handle fine AS
>> LONG AS YOU KNOW HOW TO DRIVE in the snow. Narrow tires give you more
weight
>> per square inch than wide tires. Decent treads will grip the snow. Don't
>> slam on the brakes...don't try to turn while braking (which you shouldn't do
>> in the dry either)...and don't spin the wheels when you start up.
>>
>> Go to an empty parking lot and "cut some cookies" to get a feel for the car
>> in snow. If you use your head, there is no problem driving any car in the
>> snow. (SUV's not included!)
>>
>> Good luck with the B. Hope it is an early Christmas present (read "almost
>> concours quality" and they don't know it)!!!
>>
>> Allen Hefner
>> SCCA Philly Region Rally Steward
>> '77 Midget
>> '92 Mitsubishi Expo LRV Sport
>
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the red one with the silver bootlid.
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