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Big Wheels - plus-sizing the wheels on your vehicle |
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Big Wheels - plus-sizing the wheels on your vehicle
 June 2004 - It doesn't matter if you are an NBA superstar or a soccer mom, automotive customizing is booming across the country. But one of the most popular ways to personalize your ride - upgrading your tires - could put you and your car at risk.
The $3 billion business of plus-sizing the wheels on your vehicle may be in-style, but it can also make your vehicle practically undrivable.
The standard size wheel on most full-size trucks and SUVs is 17 inches in diameter, while some customizers are upgrading tires to as big as 26-inches. Increasing tire size by as little as an inch can throw today's sophisticated automotive systems out of line and may affect vehicle safety.
So when you change your tires, you have to make sure all the different computers and equipment on the vehicle are also adjusted appropriately - since a tire change can affect everything from your speedometer to your brakes. Some manufacturers like GMC and Chevrolet have now started to offer their own up-sized wheels and matched tires. Since their plus-size wheels are developed specifically for their vehicles, they won't compromise safety or performance, and won't adversely affect the vehicle warranty.
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Produced for General Motors
Contact: Scott Michaeloff, 212-980-9090 |
