How Does Wheel Size Affect Ride Quality?

Wheels are one of the first things that stand out when you look at a car. A good-looking set of wheels is part of the appeal of any sports car, muscle car, truck, or off-road vehicle. And whether they’re perfectly polished or covered in mud, they tell a story about what your car is used for. But needless to say, wheels are also a vital part of your vehicle’s performance. Even though we mostly think of wheels in terms of style and aesthetics, they’re one of the most important engineering elements of any automobile.

There’s no denying that larger wheels just look better, especially if you’re driving a truck that you tend to take off the asphalt and down your favorite unpaved trail. But what is the actual impact that large wheels have? Like most aftermarket upgrades, large wheels have some pros and some cons and figuring out if they’re right for you and your vehicle is a decision only you can make. But in order to make that decision, you need to know what is affected by the size of your wheels.

Ways that Wheel Size Impacts Your Ride

The size of your wheels plays a role in almost everything that your car does. Here are some of the areas that are affected by larger or smaller wheels.

Handling

There’s a reason that high-performance vehicles usually have large wheels. In general, larger wheels will handle better than smaller wheels. The bigger the wheels, the more grip your vehicle will have with the road because the lower-profile tire sidewalls flex less, which increases the ability to adeptly take turns. However, larger wheels sometimes struggle with sharper turns.

Acceleration and Speed

In most cases, larger wheels will slightly slow down your vehicle’s acceleration. It takes a little more power to turn them, and they tend to be heavier, so acceleration might take a slight hit. However, because of the increased traction, larger wheels will be able to reach higher speeds, and your car will have an easier time maintaining its speed.

Braking

Vehicles with larger wheels will typically brake better than their smaller wheel counterparts. Large wheels increase stability and have more contact with the ground, making it easier for you to come to a stop.

Traction

Off-road enthusiasts tend to opt for larger wheels for their trucks, and it’s not just because they look better. Large wheels have more contact with the road and are able to generate more traction as a result. Because of this, increasing your wheel size will increase your truck’s ability to drive over uneven terrain, and on slippery roads. Bigger is certainly better when it comes to driving off-road.

Load Capacity

Larger wheels also increase the load capacity of a truck. By being bigger, they’re able to distribute weight over a larger space, which means your truck will be able to hold a heavier amount of cargo. This is great for anyone who uses their truck for work or for towing.

Comfort

While larger wheels can often accomplish more impressive tasks, smaller wheels usually lead to smoother and more comfortable rides. When driving on highways, freeways, and city roads, you’ll feel the bumps, dips, and objects in the road, as well as the general vibration of your vehicle more when driving with large wheels.

Road Noise

Similarly, smaller wheels result in a quieter ride as the taller tires absorb more of the impact. There are fewer vibrations with smaller wheels, so things will be much calmer inside the vehicle. It’s not a huge difference, but it is noticeable.

Fuel Efficiency

Smaller wheels also help you achieve better fuel efficiency in your vehicle if they weigh less. Simply put, it takes more energy to turn larger wheels, which means you’ll likely get worse fuel economy as your wheels get larger. However, if you drive a vehicle with a powerful engine, the change in fuel efficiency will probably be negligible.

Other Factors to Consider

The size of your wheels impacts the quality of your ride in a lot of different ways, but there are a few other factors to consider. In order to get the most out of your wheels, you need to have a good set of tires on them, and you need to regularly have your wheels aligned. Otherwise, you won’t reap the benefits of your wheel size. It’s also important to pick a wheel size that works well with. Try to stick with wheels within your manufacturer’s recommendations, unless you’ve had suspension work done.

If you’re in the market for a new set of wheels for your vehicle, then you’ve come to the right place. Our sales techs are standing by to help you find the perfect set for your car or truck, and all your driving needs.