Contact Patch

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12-23-2005 | 09:15 AM

WaterDR

Thread Starter

Administrator

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 6,613

Contact Patch

Did you guys know that if you change tire sizes on a car, the size of the contact patch stays the same? Only the shape of the patch changes.

This makes total sense after I thought about it.

There is a nice article in MM&FF this month that explains it.

12-23-2005 | 10:23 AM

floppy

Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 1,805

From: royal palm beach, florida

yeah i read that last night, it's pretty good. i never thought about the contact patch staying the same before...

12-23-2005 | 10:36 AM

B-rett

BMC Member# 03209

Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 1,735

From: north ridgeville, ohio

how does that make sense?

12-23-2005 | 11:44 AM

stanger00

Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 3,842

From: Pinole, Ca

that makes since for the width of the contact patch but what about how long it is. 315 tire is 12.5 inches across would that make the contact patch 12.5 inches across as well?