The Pros and Cons of Plus-Sizing Tyres

Vehicle modification enthusiasts are constantly seeking ways to improve the performance and appearance of their prized motors. One popular modification that has gained significant attention is plus-sizing tyres. Even for the average driver seeking an upgrade, the allure of fuller-looking wheel wells and improved handling can be enticing.

But what are plus-size tyres? At LK Performance, we’ve fitted so many plus-sized tyres that we fancy ourselves as experts on this topic, and this blog will explore its technicalities, as well as the pros and cons associated with this trend.

We’ve spoken with dozens of customers about how this is a decision that will drastically change the characteristics of their vehicles. So by giving you the full range of benefits and drawbacks that comes with this double-edged upgrade, you’ll be able to make an informed decision.

What Are Plus-Size Tyres?

Plus-sizing is when a vehicle is retrofitted with larger tyres than what they were originally on. The process is a little more complex than going the next size up, as to safely adjust the size of the tyres while keeping it secure, the wheel ratio - the difference between its height and width - is lowered. Enacting this process on your vehicle will make its tyres larger and wider yet visually skinnier when looking at the rims.

Auto enthusiasts often plus-size their tyres for aesthetic reasons. Having the tyre fill up the wheel well with a lower profile is a high-demand look that accentuates the sportiness of their vehicle. To be able to achieve this, people often go to a specialist fitting centre with experienced mechanics.

Types of Tyre Plus-Sizing

Plus-size tyres come in multiple variations, increasing in degrees from the original tyre’s proportions. Starting at Plus Zero, here are the size options available for plus-size tyres.

Plus Zero

Plus Zero is where the size is increased only in terms of width, not diameter. The wheel ratio is still lowered, meaning the benefits of an enlarged contact area are still gained.

Plus One

When increasing the scale of tyre sizes, the rule of thumb is to increase the tyre’s section width by 10mm, increase the rim diameter by 1 inch (25cm), and decrease the wheel ratio by 10 points each time. For Plus One tyres, use these measurements from Plus Zero:

Section width: +10mm

Rim diameter: +1 inch

Wheel ratio: -10 points

Plus Two

From this point onwards, the increase in performance affected by resizing your tyres is drastically reduced, and from here it’s simply a case of aesthetic changes. From Plus Zero:

Section width: +20mm

Rim diameter: +2 inches

Wheel ratio: -20 points

Plus Three

Plus Three size tyres are the endpoint for this modification before it starts to become unsafe. From Plus Zero:

Section width: +30mm

Rim diameter: +3 inches

Wheel ratio: -30 points

Do the Existing Wheels Need to Be Changed For Plus-Sized Tyres?

If you’re planning to install wider plus-sized tyres, you will also need to change your wheels to a set with a larger diameter to accommodate the new tyres’ size.

What are the Pros of Plus-Sizing Tyres?

There’s much to like about upping the size and lowering the profile of your tyres. Here are some key reasons why people opt for it from a performance and safety standpoint.

Better Off-the-Line Performance

Having wider tyres does remarkable things to your vehicle when it comes to generating speed. Not only does it offer quicker acceleration but the increased contact surface area of wider tyres also increases traction. This makes it an ideal upgrade for those desiring off-the-line performance.

However, these improvements do not improve linearly, and the performance effects are minimal beyond Plus One sizing.

Enhanced Cornering Ability

You’ll also feel improvements in your vehicle’s handling when it comes to cornering. Those larger wheels will have wider tread faces and tougher sidewalls than the factory originals, meaning handling is much more agile. Couple this with the aforementioned increase in traction, and you’ll have far more grip to play with.

Increased Safety

One aspect you may not realise will be affected by plus-sizing your tyres is the safety enhancements. Wider tyres have a shorter braking distance, plus the added weight of the wheels will fight against rollovers should you find yourself in a particularly bad collision.

What are the Cons of Plus-Sizing Tyres?

With every vehicle enhancement comes its downsides, and plus-sizing tyres are no different. Otherwise everyone would be using them! Here are the cons to this process.

Heavier Drive

The weight increase of the larger tyres negatively impacts some aspects of your vehicle, such as durability, ride comfort and suspension.

Noise Pollution

Because of the decreased shock absorption in the tyre’s sidewall from having a skinnier profile, larger tyres generate more noise. You’ll have to rely on other parts of the vehicle to compensate for it.

Depleted Fuel Efficiency

Since there is now more tyre to tread with a heavier vehicle, the amount of fuel consumed per mile will be affected by this upgrade.

It’s a matter of personal preference as to whether plus-sizing is the right vehicle modification for you. Weigh up the pros and cons, and if you find the performance upgrades to be too good to resist, contact a trusted expert about fitting them.

If you’re looking for a quality vehicle customisation service that guarantees excellent tyre fittings, look no further than LK Performance - the UK’s premier choice. We stock hundreds of types of quality tyres from the finest aftermarket tyremakers in the world, from Yokohama to Continental and Goodyear.

Plus, our free online vehicle fitment checker checks into our database of over 30m vehicle records and will filter our store to just the tyres that will fit your vehicle, making searching through our store much more simple. Browse online today, or come to our state-of-the-art fitting centre and have a brand new set of plus-sized tyres fitted on your vehicle today.