How noticeable is tire weight?

[mach schnell]

How noticeable is a heavy tire compared to a light one?? If you run a 19lb tire vs a 23lb tire on the same wheels, will the average person be able to notice the difference? Or is this the kind of thing that only a trained driver will really notice?

[JGood]

How noticeable is a heavy tire compared to a light one?? If you run a 19lb tire vs a 23lb tire on the same wheels, will the average person be able to notice the difference? Or is this the kind of thing that only a trained driver will really notice?

No. Your average person, driving on the street, will not notice that.

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

It'd be hard to tell for the trained driver as well.

You find me someone who can tell the difference without being told about the change, and I'll give you the most awesomest high five in the world.

Maybe if the change was done on a car that was already extremely light weight, and underpowered, so that the slight change could be appreciated.

I know, rotational mass, etc. etc., I still don't think one would notice 16lbs rotating mass.

[bimmerteck]

If the wheel/combo was very light to begin with you will definitely notice the increase. When I went to heavier tires the car felt sluggish on take off and less responsive on turn in with the steering.

Keep in mind that my wheels are lighter than most, as I kept to the goal of having a wheel tire combo that was large enough to clear my brakes but lighter weight than stock. Shedding unsprung weight is the quickest way to make your car feel more lively.


Erik

[bimmerteck]

remember that tire weight becomes more important with larger lighter wheels.

[nrubenstein]

Tire weight is irrelevant, all that matters is absolute tire performance. Generally speaking, a lighter tire will have flimsy sidewalls and not hold up well under hard use. If you have two completely equal tires in all respects other than weight, well, sure, get the lighter one. Otherwise, you shouldn't even look at the spec because it's fairly useless.

[Wh33lhop]

Tire weight is irrelevant

I'd say that's a matter of opinion more than anything. You will notice every lb of tire weight reduction more than every lb of wheel weight reduction as the mass is pushed out further and the moment of inertia is affected more.

But I tend to agree that pretty much every aspect of tire performance should outweigh its weight, unless you are talking a retarded difference i.e. 10lbs per tire.