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Toyota RAV4 pre-2006

2123 messages,  Last post on Aug 20, 2009 at 7:57 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota RAV4, SUV

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#1693 of 2123 by steve_ HOST Dec 07, 2004 (11:21 am)
My narrow Tercel tires seemed to do better in my 20 Anchorage winters than my bigger minivan tires did. Anchorage is nothing like Buffalo though (and a Tercel is nothing like a Caravan either <g>).   I couldn't find any photos either, but I think I've seen them before. And the contact patch isn't static either and will change in various conditions (hard cornering comes to mind).   There's probably some more info over in the Snow/Ice winter tires discussion.   Steve, Host
#1694 of 2123 by 719b Dec 07, 2004 (2:06 pm)
narrow tires have more weight per square inch to the contact point.
#1695 of 2123 Re: Tire Contact Pressure by capriracer Dec 07, 2004 (3:42 pm)
FYI:   Tire contact pressure DOES change with width.   To demonstrate: Let's assume you have several tires that have the same maximum load rating and are inflated to the same pressure. It turns out that these tires would have about the diameter overall diameter.   Now load them to the same load. Does it now make sense that the narrower tire would have a longer footprint? No! The overall diameter's are the same, and the deflection is the same, why would the footprint length be different?   Put another way, inflation pressure doesn't equal footprint pressure.   Hope this helps.
#1696 of 2123 contact point. by 719b by petl Dec 07, 2004 (6:22 pm)
In simple terms, I believe you have it. Thanks for jogging my memory.
#1697 of 2123 Wet traction by suvshopper4 Dec 10, 2004 (4:35 pm)
To repeat what I wrote back in 11/01 (just a couple posts before the dudleyr post that Steve_Host linked us to above), the way the magazine (R&T? C&D? Autoweek?) article described it was as follows:   A constant vehicle weight and a constant inflation pressure will lead to a contact patch that is the same area (total square inches), no matter what the tires' aspects are. The thing that varies is the shape or configuration of the contact patch (narrower/longer v. wider/shorter).   And narrower/longer is better in the wet stuff because it has to fight its way thru less of it, and disperses it out to the side of the tire better than a wider/shorter tire.   Net result: If you are more concerned about wet traction, the narrower tire is the better choice. Replies to this message: kdshapiro (Dec 17, 2004 6:13 am) suvshopper4 (Dec 17, 2004 4:21 pm) kdshapiro (Dec 17, 2004 6:22 pm) spleck (Dec 28, 2004 8:05 am)
#1698 of 2123 Re: unhappy fuel mialage [01rav4owner] by concept15 Dec 16, 2004 (3:50 pm)
Replying to: 01rav4owner (Dec 09, 2003 12:38 am) I agree. We love the car but get only 18-19city and 23 hwy. We have a 2004 Rav4 L type. I thought this is a little strange too.
#1699 of 2123 Tires, After Market Stereo by ravraptor Dec 16, 2004 (8:48 pm)
Just got new 2005 L package two weeks ago.   I like the car but the standard audio equipment sucks of course.   I'm having the speakers replaced with MB Quart components in front and Infinity's in back. Also installing an Alpine XM-Ready Head Unit CDA-9833, and a four channel amp. The Good Guys will be installing this Sunday. No issues with replacing the factory equipment Im told.   I am wondering if anyone can speak to the replacing the 215/70R16's tires with the larger 235/60R16's? If anyone has done this can they explain the difference in ride and handling characteristics? And can I keep my factory alloy wheels? The dealer gave me the Toyo Tranpath A-14's, which seem okay so far. However I may change at 15-20 K miles if the handing and ride is signifcantly better with the larger tires.   Thanks. Replies to this message: daniel6 (Apr 24, 2005 9:02 am)
#1700 of 2123 Re: Wet traction [suvshopper4] by kdshapiro Dec 17, 2004 (6:13 am)
Replying to: suvshopper4 (Dec 10, 2004 4:35 pm) My experience with 20 some odd years of driving in snow is this, I don't really care about the theoretical, here is the reality.   In snowy conditions, starting and stopping go to wide tires, handling goes to small tires. Agreed hitting a patch of deep snow from a dry road is much easier to navigate with narrow tires. Getting out of a deep patch on a steep hill is much easier with wide tires.   So since most of us don't drive around 24x7x365 in a foot or more of snow, wide tires are the better all-around choice. Replies to this message: suvshopper4 (Dec 17, 2004 4:21 pm) kdshapiro (Dec 17, 2004 6:22 pm)
#1701 of 2123 Whose reality? Re: Wet traction [kdshapiro] by suvshopper4 Dec 17, 2004 (4:21 pm)
Replying to: kdshapiro (Dec 17, 2004 6:13 am) "So since most of us don't drive around 24x7x365 in a foot or more of snow, wide tires are the better all-around choice." For you, maybe.   I agree with the first part, about not needing a tire for driving in the snow full time. But what about in the rain? Narrower tires are better for this too because they have to displace less water/snow than wider tires, as already explained.   And the better dry grip that is provided by wider tires, that matters more to someone driving a vehicle at 9/10ths of its limits. Doesn't matter much to me in my everyday driving.   As is often stated, all tires are a compromise. I'd rather have the benefit in the sloppy weather.   Narrower tires are the better all-around choice for me. Replies to this message: kdshapiro (Dec 17, 2004 6:22 pm)
#1702 of 2123 Re: Whose reality? Re: Wet traction [suvshopper4] by kdshapiro Dec 17, 2004 (6:22 pm)
Replying to: suvshopper4 (Dec 17, 2004 4:21 pm) I forgot emergency handling. The wider the tires the better the skidpad, the better the handling in emergency lane change situations.   To some, that may make a difference.

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