What benefit is there to having wider tires on my SUV?

Question

My old tires, that were on the SUV when I bought it, were worn out. So I got a new set of tires, but didn't really check out the width. Now, my SUV seems to sit lower than it did with my old tires. Is there a benefit to having wider tires? Or is it better to have tires that are less wide?

Answer 1

You will have more traction with the wider tires, but that might make you use more gas.

Answer 2

Looks....tires now are matched to the vehicle they are on. changing tire size causes the computer to read the signale falsey. You would be asking for trouble. Unless you reprogram the computer to match the tire size difference.... Think it over..... good luck

Answer 3

Since SUVs are more prone to rolling, I'd go with the wider tires.  And I agree with the first comment.

Answer 4

Thats really two questions.  

You said the car is lower?  This would mean you purchased tires that are too small or short.  Your gearing ratio is now different than it was.  Your tires are performing more Revolutions per minute.  Your speedo should be reading faster than you are actually driving.  Does it seem as if more people are passing you than usual?  

Wider tires provide more friction surface on tarmac and has more tire on the road to grip better.  However, the optosite effect takes place on loose surfaces such as gravel or snow.  One these surfaces you wan't a skinnier tire to dig deep into the snow to dirt to give you better traction.

Answer 5

Better stability overall.

Answer 6

A little more traction is the benefit,   gas mileage shouldn't be effected unless the change was ridiculous.

Whether the computer is thrown off and by how far is dependant on the tires.    For instance,  the change between 255/75r and 275/70r  is only 1.25  mm of tire radius height.   This is computed by  multiplying the two numbers together,  and understanding the second is a ratio of the first.   A 255/75 tire is 255 mm wide at tread and the height to the wheel is 75% of that,   or 191.25 mm.    

Always keep in mind that the wheel width needs to be acceptable for the tire width,   you can't put a 275 tire on a 5 inch wide wheel.     See a competant dealer for questions.