Positive Effects (potentially):
* Improved Ground Clearance: Larger tires, particularly with a taller sidewall, provide increased ground clearance, making it easier to navigate rough terrain, potholes, and speed bumps.
* Softer Ride (potentially): A taller sidewall (the distance between the rim and the tire tread) acts as a shock absorber, potentially leading to a smoother ride on rough surfaces. However, this depends heavily on the tire's construction and the overall tire diameter.
Negative Effects (generally more significant):
* Stiffer Ride (potentially): While a taller sidewall *can* soften the ride, a wider tire with a shorter sidewall often leads to a harsher, stiffer ride because it transmits more road imperfections to the vehicle's suspension. This is especially true on larger diameter wheels.
* Increased Unsprung Weight: Larger tires weigh more. This increased unsprung weight (the weight of the components that move with the wheel) can negatively impact handling and ride quality by making the suspension work harder.
* Altered Speedometer and Odometer Readings: Larger tires increase the rolling circumference of the wheel. This means your speedometer and odometer will be inaccurate, reading slower than your actual speed and accumulating fewer miles than you've actually driven. This inaccuracy can be significant.
* Potential for Rubbing and Interference: Larger tires might rub against the fenders, suspension components, or other parts of the vehicle, especially during turning or when the suspension is fully compressed.
* Changes in Handling: Larger tires can affect handling characteristics. They might improve traction in some situations, but they also increase the rotational inertia of the wheels, making the car feel less responsive and potentially affecting braking and acceleration. This is especially true with wider tires.
* Potential for Damage to Wheel Wells and Other Components: The extra tire size may put stress on various components of the vehicle, leading to wear and tear.
Overall:
Whether bigger tires improve or worsen the ride depends on many factors, including the specific size increase, the tire's construction (sidewall height, tread pattern, compound), the vehicle's suspension, and the type of driving you do. A slight increase in tire size might be unnoticeable, but a significant jump can create noticeable changes, often negative ones. It's crucial to consult a tire professional and perhaps a mechanic before changing your tire size to ensure compatibility and to understand the potential consequences. Simply putting on larger tires without considering all the implications is generally not recommended.
