Quote:
Originally Posted by khail19
Dean, did you come across anything on the web that supports the "wider is better" snow tire theory? Personally, I think you are right but I'm wondering if there's any test results out there that show the numbers. I'm discussing snow tires with someone on a car audio forum and everyone else is saying that narrower is better.
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Other than the Michelin engineer I already quoted, not really.
Here is something siping specific.
http://www.accidentreconstruction.co...03/103003b.asp
Again, I want to be specific. It is my understanding from the Pirelli engineer I have talked to that in our normal open highway conditions in CA and NV, not deep untamed back roads, that it is about the amount if siping that you can put on the surface of the snow/ice that is important, not the "digging" and higher PSI of surface area of a narrower tire.
I have been unable to find any scientific data to support or disprove this, only anecdotal and unsupported narrower is better statements and the siping comments from the Michelin engineer and article I provided.
It would be really nice if TR would take one of their BMWs and put 245, 225, 205 and 185s of the same modern siped winter tire and do some of their tests at the ice rink.
My guess is that there is a sweet spot at some PSI that creates the optimal clamping force as the sipes close as they come onto the surface.