Date:         Mon, 2 Nov 1998 23:21:31 -0800
Reply-To:     Björn <bratjen@DIRECT.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Björn <bratjen@DIRECT.CA>
Subject:      Re: Wheels, Tires and the Laws of Physics
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

At 11:14 AM 02/11/98 -0800, YauMan Chan wrote:
>Pardon me for jumping in even though I don't have 16" wheels!!!
>
...

>The side effect of all this is that the 16" wheel have a wider contact
surface..  This gives you more friction with the road and will give you more
traction.. But will decrease you gas mileage.
>
>My $0.02 worth.
>
>Yau-Man Chan
>87 GL 
>
not quite, friction is determined by pressure between surfaces and material,
not by the size of the contact area. Large tires distribute the pressure
(weight) over a larger area which can be a disadvantage in rain for example
where you will have more aquaplaning. 

cheers,

Björn

Björn Ratjen

Mill Bay, B.C. 

1987 Syncro Est Alia (self camperized)
1995 Passat TD
(1982 Vanagon Diesel)
1979 VW Bus (self- camperized)