Corvette03051

So what is the truth? If you go up to 265-35-18 and 305-30-19 on a base C6 do you gain anything in traction or does the fact that they are wider than the wheel compromise any size increase gain?
Thanks

cadguymark

the size you are suggesting will decrease gas mileage by making the engine spin faster for a given speed, bad if yours is a GT car, perhaps good or of no consequence if you are a road racer/auto crosser, likely good if you are a drag racer

what traction problem are you trying to solve?
they designed and settled upon 245/40-18 & 285/35-19 after investing a lot of time and money

yes, in general going bigger will give more grip, but it may also cause the car to lose grip in the wet

unless you are a complete nOOb with throttle control, the stock cars rear end will hold before the front breaks loose (yours may differ depending on your alignment and 40's or below the rear end gives out first) so going slightly bigger in front may be a good thing, but if you increase the rear, you may be back where you started from, that's the thing about handling issues, one thing at a time so you know how it affects handling

of course setting the camber more negative in front will do the same thing, but again, if yours is a street car, the extra wear won't be a good thing

ask GS owners about the wider tires and how alignment is critical to wear

Corvette03051

Thanks for your response.

Corvette03051

Makes sense. I guess I would still like to find out if a tire is 3/4 to an inch wider than the rim what are the results. Do u still get the benefits of the wider tire.
Thanks

road pilot

There are 2 things to keep in mind. 1) your tires overall size
and 2) the tread size. The same tire overall size can have
many tread sizes. Go and check out a few tire manufactures
and you will see a difference in tread width. You know the
saying "Where the rubber meets the road"
Good luck.

Corvette03051

All good advise. Why not just stuck with the size that the factory recommends and go to a great tire.