Low-profile tires often have aggressive tread patterns that lead to road noise.
With owners trying to make their vehicles as high-performance as possible, low-profile tires are becoming more common. Low-profile tires have a short aspect ratio, i.e., sidewall height), which reduces the amount of flex the sidewall has, thus greatly increasing the handling capabilities. While the handling and looks increase, there are some downsides to low-profile tires.
Shorter Tread Life
Because low-profile tires are often placed in the ultra-high-performance category, the tread life is rather short. The ultra-high-performance category is anything above an H speed rating. The higher speed rating means that the tire must be made of a softer rubber compound for maximum traction. Due to this softer rubber compound, the tread-life is significantly reduced. Whereas a normal passenger tire will last 40,000 to 60,000 miles, a low-profile ultra-high-performance tire will only last 20,000 to 30,000 miles.
More Road Noise
The sidewall of a tire is where the majority of the road noise is eliminated. With the lack of a large sidewall, low-profile tires transfer more road noise than regular passenger tires. This is especially amplified on vehicles with added aftermarket low-profile tires. Vehicles designed for low-profile tires often have suspension designs to counteract road noise, but when aftermarket low-profiles are added, there is no such compensation made.
Rougher Ride
Potholes and rough roads are often not noticed because a lot of the vibrations and impacts are absorbed by the sidewall of a tire. On a low-profile tire, there is not nearly enough sidewall to absorb these impacts, so the driver feels nearly every bump in the road. Another problem that can be caused is severe suspension or tire damage due to the lack of cushioning provided by the sidewall.
Lower Fuel Economy
Tire design and size can significantly impact the fuel economy of a vehicle. When switching to low-profile tires, you are typically getting a smaller overall diameter. A smaller overall diameter means that the tire must perform more revolutions to cover the same area as a larger tire. The more revolutions required means more work performed by the engine and therefore lower fuel economy. The impact is compounded due to the softer rubber on a low-profile tire, which creates more rolling resistance.
Tags: low-profile tires, road noise, softer rubber, tires often, fuel economy, last miles, low-profile tire