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There's a new trend in car wheels - and it's causing a lot of controversy. "Plus-sizing" is the practice of putting larger wheels on a car than originally intended, typically by increasing the size of the rims without using a larger tire to match. This results in a streamlined look with super-slim sidewalls, and very little rubber visible.

As one of the top tire shops in Cedar Park we are getting a lot of customers asking about plus-sizing their wheels. Is it really a good idea? Let's talk about the pros and cons.

I. Pros

1 - Better grip and cornering

Since plus-sizing results in more of the tire's surface making contact with the road, this does result in better grip. That would probably be the main performance-related benefit to plus-sizing your wheels. Both on-road grip as well as your cornering will be improved, at least somewhat, by having plus-sized rims.

2 - Better braking

In roughly the same way, plus-sized wheels tend to have slightly better braking than standard wheel configurations. Of course, it’s partly because they have increased friction from the road, which we'll get to momentarily.

3 - Trendy looks

We won't lie, the plus-sized style looks cool. It's one of the more innovative new ideas in wheel style to come along in years.

II. Cons

Unfortunately, there are several big drawbacks to plus-sizing, and we tend to advise against it.

1 - Difficult steering and acceleration

Those big wheels adding traction to the ground comes with a major tradeoff: everyday turning and handling become more difficult. The wheels are harder to turn, and slower to return to the center after a turn. This could be downright dangerous in an emergency situation.

2 - Increased fuel use

More rubber touching the road means more friction, which means your engine has to work harder to keep the wheels running. The exact amount of fuel wasted will vary depending on a number of factors, but it's guaranteed you will use more fuel than with standard tire configurations.

3 - Tire wear and damage

This is the big one. Those stretched-out tires making more contact with the road are going to start wearing out much more quickly than normal. This means you'll be buying more tires, more often - and you'll also be at risk of tire damage on the road causing a blowout. And the more stretched the tire is, the worse this danger becomes.

A +1 plus size is still reasonably safe, +2 is iffy, and most reputable tire shops in Cedar Park will refuse to go bigger than that because of the dangers.

Wheel & Tire Superstore are one of the top sources for tires in the Cedar Park area! We carry a huge selection of tires and wheels, alongside a top-grade auto repair bay that can handle a wide variety of problems. If you're thinking about plus-sizing your wheels, come visit to discuss your options and the tradeoffs involved.