Tires: picking tires with bigger aspect ratio., odyssey van, snow traction

Question
Hello Barry,

In a question from Dec. 2005 a fellow asked your advice on choosing a new, tougher tire for his Odyssey van that had a 65 aspect ratio vs. the OE 60.  I am wondering if I can do the same thing on a 2002 acura with tire size 215/50r17 93v.

In your answer to Chris in 2005 you wrote that the taller profile "...hurts the fuel economy, improves the ride harshness..."

When you say improves ride harshness do you mean that the ride is more harsh, or that the ride will become quieter (my intended goal)?  

Also, how significant a drop in fuel economy?  Could I offset the loss of fuel economy by adding say 5-8 psi to the manufacturers recommendation.

The tire selection and quality seems better in the sizes offered with the 55 aspect ration vs. the OE 50 aspect ratio.

Thank you!

Brett

Answer
Brett,

You asked:

When you say improves ride harshness do you mean that the ride is more harsh, or that the ride will become quieter (my intended goal)?  

My answer:  Improvement in ride harshness means less harsh - but harshness is what you feel due to the variation in road surface - and is completely different than noise.

Changes in aspect ration will not have an effect on noise generation - which is all about the interaction of the tread pattern with the road surface texture.  Be aware that the less complex that tread pattern, the more likely it is to be quiet, but this generally hurts wet and snow traction.  Plus the road surface you drive on has a major impact on how the noise is generated - and how much!  This is such a localized issue that it is best to ask a local retailer what works in your area.  However, he should point out that there are road surfaces that will always generate lots of noise.

You asked:

Also, how significant a drop in fuel economy?  Could I offset the loss of fuel economy by adding say 5-8 psi to the manufacturers recommendation.

My answer:  The difference in tire size is small compared to the difference between tires lines.  Any particular property can be affected more than just the change in size.  Hopefully, my answer said that all the property changes I indicated were directional and not absolutely.  Not only could you get differences, but reversals would not be uncommon.

And, perhaps you could offset the fuel economy loss by increasing the inflation pressure.  Just be aware that increasing the inflation pressure definitely hurts ride harshness, and may hurt traction.