Staggered tire setups with smaller width tires at the front axle generally produce understeer near the handling limit. So in fact, to reduce understeer, neutralize, and optimize limit handling for many performance vehicles, experienced enthusiasts and GT Sports Car race teams often move from a staggered to a square tire setup. This is achieved by increasing the tire width at the front axle to equal the rear. Along with producing more front-end grip when cornering, a square tire setup can also positively influence high-speed stability.
So what are the downsides to a square setup? When transitioning from a staggered to a square tire setup by increasing front axle tire width, drivers may perceive a decrease in responsiveness to steering inputs.
Additionally, not everyone will necessarily find the increased front-end grip and altered handling dynamics comfortable or desirable. Aside from optimizing performance in some vehicle applications and contexts, square tire setups have another, very practical advantage over staggered tire setups: Front-rear tire rotation, and therefore improved tire longevity.
Especially if a vehicle is used in a performance context, the ability to flip front for rear tires, and vice-versa based upon wear rates, is a major practical and economic!
And even if your car or truck is not used in performance environments, a square tire setup yields the same rotation and longevity advantages with standard long-term use. It comes down to personal preference, and in many cases there is merit to both. Tell us what you drive and we? By continuing to use our site, you consent to the placement of cookies on your browser. Learn more. What is air suspension and how does it work?
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Thread Tools. What is the benefit of a staggered setup? Appreciate 0 Tweet. Find More Posts by 9iron. Find More Posts by jeremy Find More Posts by mike-y. Cal iTrader: 7 Garage List i coupe [3. Find More Posts by hipnotic. A vehicle that uses a larger diameter wheel often also use wider diameter wheels. Again, used mostly on rear wheels, larger-diameter staggered setups give vehicles a sense of movement, even when they aren't moving.
Good examples of both of these appearance factors can be seen in many Ferraris and Lamborghinis where the rear of the car is wider than the front and where some also have larger diameter wheels in the rear than in the front.
There is a reason that not all vehicles have staggered wheels. The majority of vehicles are not designed with huge amounts of horsepower, nor are they designed to handle with precision. Stock staggered wheel setups are great because the manufacturer understands the purpose of the car and can accommodate the necessary setup from the factory. Fitment becomes more of an issue with aftermarket setups.
Fitment issues are fairly self-explanatory — Incorrect fitment results when too large or too wide of a wheel is fitted to a vehicle, causing one or more parts of the wheel and tire to rub against one or more parts of the vehicle. The slightest miscalculation can result in severe damage to brakes, tires, and fenders as a tire or wheel contacts any one of these vehicle parts.
Even if a larger wheel is equipped and does not contact any part of the vehicle, fitment issues include a wider wheel that sticks out from the fender or one that hits the top of the wheel well as the suspension is compressed.
Both of these may not be immediately obvious at first glance. Though it is possible to add slightly larger tires onto wheels which call for a specific size, any kind of aftermarket staggered wheel setup is highly discouraged because of these issues.
If you wish to upgrade to staggered wheels, you should consult a professional and take thorough measurements to ensure that your desired setup will not cause any damage to your car or your new wheels and tires.
Staggered wheels do have performance advantages over non-staggered setups, but they also carry one large drawback to performance: added weight.
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