The narrower tires, 215mm, and 225mm, are better at resisting hydroplaning, reducing fuel consumption, and cornering due to their small turning radius than the wider 235mm one. On the other hand, wider tires have better traction, off-road capability, and aesthetic appeal than narrower ones.
The braking distance and time are usually shorter with wider tires due to the larger contact patch area with the road. This means that wider tires are safer than narrower ones. However, the tires mentioned here only have about a 10mm width difference.
At the same time, tire size depends majorly on personal preference, road conditions, and driving habits and needs of the driver. To get an in-depth analysis of the three tire sizes 215, 225, and 235mm, keep reading.
215 vs. 225 vs. 235 Tires; Are Wider Tires Better?
This table presents a performance comparison of 215mm, 225mm, and 235mm tires, with a 10mm variance in tire width between each size. The largest gap in tire width is 20mm, which is observed between the 215mm and 235mm tire sizes.
| Parameters | 215 mm | 225 mm | 235 mm |
| Tire Width | Narrow | Wider | Widest |
| Traction | Good | Better | Best |
| Weight | Lightest | Slightly Heavier | Heaviest |
| Turning Radius | Small | Big | Biggest |
| Rim size Compatibility (inches) | 6.5-8 | 7-8.5 | 7.5-9 |
| NVH (Noise, Vibration, & Harshness) | Least Noisy | Noisier | Most Noisy |
| Hydroplaning Tendency | Less | More | Most |
| Cornering | Good | Better | Best |
| Braking Distance, Time | Short | Shorter | Shortest |
| Lateral Acceleration | Low | Higher | Highest |
| Sand and Snow Driving | Best | Better | Good |
| Off-road Driving | Good | Better | Best |
| Chassis Raise | Tall | Taller | Tallest |
| Fuel Consumption | Low | Higher | Highest |
| Understeer Tendency | Most | More | Less |
| Oversteer Tendency | Less | More | Most |
| Aesthetic Appeal | Less | More | Most |
| Compatible Vehicles | Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler | Toyota Corolla, Tesla Roadster, Porsche 911 | Chevy Silverado 1500, GMC Canyon, Chevy Trailblazer |
| Price* | 100-170$ | 145-155$ | 140-180$ |
*The price ranges given here is as of March 2023 and depends heavily on the make and manufacturer of the tire.
Width
The widest tire is 235mm and the narrowest tire is 215mm. All these tire sizes are common from popular light-duty trucks to the sports car. The width difference is about 10mm. These widths can be used interchangeably on the same rim.
There are some advantages of narrow tires. To know more about that you can read it- 195 vs. 205 vs. 215 Tires.
Traction
215mm tires are the narrowest tires out of the three options here and consequently have the smallest contact patch with the road. So wider 225 and 235mm tires have comparatively larger contact patches. This means wider tires potentially have more traction.
A tire’s contact patch is the area where the rubber meets the road, and it plays a crucial role in providing traction and stability to a vehicle. But there are many other factors that can affect a tire’s ability to provide traction like the type of road surface, the weather conditions, and the tire’s design.
Weight
As a general rule, wider tires like the 225mm, and 235mm are heavier than 215mm tires. This is because wider tires contain more material than narrow ones. However, the weight of a tire is also influenced by other factors, such as its construction materials, design, etc.
The use of advanced materials, such as carbon fiber or silica, and the presence of thicker sidewalls or more complex tread patterns, can affect the weight of a tire. Additionally, tires designed for high-performance or off-road use may have additional features that add weight.
Turning Radius
The 215mm tire boasts the smallest turning radius while the 235mm tire has the largest turning radius. A smaller turning radius enables a vehicle to make sharper turns, requiring less space to complete a turn. On the other hand, a larger turning radius demands more space for a vehicle to execute a turn.
In addition, if you need a 18×8.5 Tire Size list to find out which tires are the best for 18×9.5 rims, you can get the necessary information from the linked page.
Compatible Rim sizes
All three tires share a few common rim sizes like a 7.5-inch rim. As a result, if a vehicle is equipped with a common rim size then the driver has the option to install any of these tires on that rim.
Also, drivers can opt for wider tires on smaller rims as well considering they follow the tire upgrade formula. As a general rule of thumb, you can go up to 20mm larger than the rim diameter of the tire.
NVH
Wider tires such as 225mm and 235mm have a larger contact patch with the road, which can result in increased noise compared to the 215mm tires. The NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) test is used to assess a tire’s noise and vibration characteristics.
Other factors such as the tire’s design, tread pattern, construction, and the vehicle’s suspension system can also have an impact on NVH. For instance, tires with more aggressive tread patterns may generate more noise than tires with less aggressive patterns.
Hydroplaning
The wider tires, such as 225mm and 235mm, are more susceptible to hydroplaning than the 215mm tires. This is due to the larger contact patch area of the wider tires with the road.
This contact patch can cause more water buildup between the tire and the road surface. As a result, the tire can lose traction and start floating, leading to reduced stability and control over the vehicle.
Cornering
During cornering wider tires like the 235mm one provides more control and stability due to the large contact area with the road. This is especially effective at high-speed cornering. But wider tires are more difficult to turn at low speeds.
Braking Distance and Time
The braking distance and time is shorter with wider 225mm and 235mm tires than with 215mm ones. Due to the large contact patch with the road, more rolling resistance is needed to break within a short distance.
So, when you want a quick stop after pressing the brake pedal then opt for a wider tire. However, bear in mind that the difference in braking time will be almost negligible since the width difference is just 10mm.
Lateral Acceleration
Compared to narrower 215mm tires, wider tires like 225mm and 235mm can withstand higher lateral acceleration without sliding. The larger contact patch area of the wider tires allows for increased grip and traction, which enhances the tire’s ability to withstand lateral forces without losing control.
A vehicle equipped with wider tires that can execute turns more smoothly and quickly while maintaining better control and stability. So, wider tires are more resistant to skidding than narrow ones.
Sand and Snow Driving
Narrow tires like the 215mm, and 225mm, are better for sand and snow driving than wider 235mm ones. This is because the concentrated pressure on smaller contact patches helps maintain control of the vehicle on snow and sand.
Off-road Driving and Chassis Raise
Wider tires out of the three options, the 225mm and 235mm ones have a taller chassis height which is better for off-road driving than the 215mm tire. Wider tires are more capable of providing traction and handling while off-road.
However, wider tires have more roll and oscillation tendencies than narrow ones. This is because with wider tires, the center of gravity changes. So, to avoid roll tendency, opt for narrow options.
Fuel Consumption
The 215mm tires have a lower rolling resistance compared to the wider 225mm and 235mm tires, which makes them more fuel-efficient. This is because the narrower tires require less energy to move the vehicle forward, resulting in less fuel consumption.
Additionally, the 215mm tires are lighter than the wider options, which also contributes to their better fuel economy. So, for better fuel economy choose a narrow tire instead.
Oversteering and Understeering
Wider tires like the 235mm ones are more prone to oversteering than narrower 225 and 215mm tires. On the other hand, narrow tires such as 215 and 225mm are more susceptible to understeering.
Oversteering is when the rear tires lose traction and as a result, the vehicle turns more than the driver intended. However, during understeer, the front tires lose traction. This makes the vehicle continue on a straight path instead of turning.
Aesthetic and Compatible Vehicles
Generally, people opt for wider tires for a rugged, muscly look. Popular vehicles like the Chevy trailblazer, and Silverado use the widest out of the three options. For a more classic, slick look, you can opt for narrow tires as well.
But at the end of the day, it depends on personal preference and taste. The aesthetic value is subjective and highly dependent on the type of vehicles you are using.
Price
On average the wider tires are more pricey since they have more raw materials in them. However, the price point is affected by the make and manufacturer of a tire. Moreover, same-size tires with enhanced tire tech are more expensive.
FAQs
Are Thicker Tires Better?
Yes, thicker tires are better in terms of braking distance, cornering stability, off-road driving, and in their aesthetic appeal. However, thicker tires are more prone to hydroplaning and oversteering than thin tires.
Which Tire Is More Important?
The rear tires are more important for vehicle stability. This is the reason why it is recommended to install new tires on the back of the vehicle. Doesn’t matter what type of drivetrain you have, rear tires are always more influential on vehicle performance.
Which Tires Wear Faster Front Or Rear?
The front tires wear out faster in most cars because they run on the front-wheel drive. So all the power and torque from the engine is directly transferred to the front wheels. This is why the front tires wear out faster than the rear ones.
Bottom Line
Hopefully, this article cleared your confusion about 215 vs 225 vs 235 tires while providing the necessary information to compare them thoroughly. All the grounds important to a vehicle owner have been covered here.
