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Car traction: Are the tires the problem... or is it you?

GasBuddy Blog -- How does your car handle?

The experts at Turnfast.com say "handling" is all about maximizing tire traction. Regardless of how much advanced hardware the car has, the bottom line is that the car's entire braking, accelerating, and cornering performance has to be translated through the four small patches of rubber in contact with the road.

Think about it. Ignore absolutely everything about a car except for how much rubber is in contact with the road. Maximizing the performance of these four small patches is what "handling" is all about.

Maximum traction, of course, is affected by the suspension design, the type of tire, it's rubber compound, its contact patch size, and several other factors. Once a given car...

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Submitted Aug 30, 2012 By: PD

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Soglaos Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:2,771 Points:741,155 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2012 4:55:56 PM Ignore Soglaos Report Abuse hmmm maybe both
gasrat6083 Champion Author Long Island Posts:3,490 Points:1,164,080 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 1, 2012 10:14:52 AM Ignore gasrat6083 Report Abuse Where the rubber meets the road ... gee!
Jebeahm Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,252 Points:459,280 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 10:44:27 AM Ignore Jebeahm Report Abuse What a revelation
Rans35PG Champion Author Modesto Posts:2,470 Points:996,250 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 9:52:44 AM Ignore Rans35PG Report Abuse k
bikerchicklette Champion Author Washington Posts:5,889 Points:1,296,970 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 9:43:42 AM Ignore bikerchicklette Report Abuse ok
EMoe57 Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:4,622 Points:1,017,015 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 8:45:41 AM Ignore EMoe57 Report Abuse old
cricket48750 All-Star Author Michigan Posts:802 Points:414,330 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 8:13:39 AM Ignore cricket48750 Report Abuse It is the operator...
bruceha2000 Champion Author Vermont Posts:2,873 Points:1,286,310 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 8:12:46 AM Ignore bruceha2000 Report Abuse Yesterday's "news" @GPD1739P: cute :) Must be the driver since the GasBuddy servers have no tires.
AuburnTim Champion Author Indiana Posts:6,828 Points:1,559,190 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 8:09:52 AM Ignore AuburnTim Report Abuse $3.98 big whoop it dropped a penny after the 20 cent spike last week then another 10 cent spike from Issac which by the way did no damage to refineries.
Tnerbeel Champion Author Houston Posts:8,830 Points:1,749,810 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 8:07:00 AM Ignore Tnerbeel Report Abuse T disagree that "Maximizing the performance of these four small patches is what "handling" is all about." It has a whole lot more to do with the suspension system which determines how the loads are applied to those tires.
40mpgsaturn Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:2,500 Points:522,380 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 8:05:02 AM Ignore 40mpgsaturn Report Abuse Could be a combination of tires & driver.
hok Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:1,370 Points:1,007,570 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 8:04:34 AM Ignore hok Report Abuse √
Gassed01 Champion Author Toronto Posts:6,359 Points:1,803,765 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 8:04:24 AM Ignore Gassed01 Report Abuse Drivers can screw up the best features, given a chance. Nothing is fool proof.
greshams Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,014 Points:376,625 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 8:02:17 AM Ignore greshams Report Abuse little bit of both.
W4YAH Champion Author Florida Posts:1,153 Points:233,795 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 8:02:10 AM Ignore W4YAH Report Abuse WoW!!!
NGEFE Veteran Author Provo Posts:339 Points:468,475 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 8:01:12 AM Ignore NGEFE Report Abuse Traction...
eightiesgod Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,385 Points:1,233,835 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:58:50 AM Ignore eightiesgod Report Abuse lol
Drill4Petro Champion Author Illinois Posts:4,091 Points:1,016,160 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:58:43 AM Ignore Drill4Petro Report Abuse Also the nut behind the wheel has a lot to do with it.
jmdk721 Champion Author Missouri Posts:1,184 Points:575,330 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:58:01 AM Ignore jmdk721 Report Abuse ok
RangerBob58 Champion Author Dayton Posts:3,122 Points:663,725 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:57:05 AM Ignore RangerBob58 Report Abuse OK
traumer Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:5,379 Points:1,339,425 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:57:04 AM Ignore traumer Report Abuse old news
eswi Champion Author Madison Posts:2,550 Points:684,355 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:56:54 AM Ignore eswi Report Abuse OK
my2002m Champion Author Tulsa Posts:6,079 Points:1,671,275 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:56:45 AM Ignore my2002m Report Abuse In some cases its both, others its either the driver or the tires.
pachukdog1 Champion Author Pensacola Posts:1,752 Points:378,475 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:55:25 AM Ignore pachukdog1 Report Abuse both
GPD1739P Champion Author Illinois Posts:2,525 Points:725,605 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:55:17 AM Ignore GPD1739P Report Abuse Obviously this article didn't get traction yesterday...
BearGolfn Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,219 Points:550,620 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:55:12 AM Ignore BearGolfn Report Abuse its always a combination of things
danlanman Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,337 Points:723,435 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:55:06 AM Ignore danlanman Report Abuse yes, both...
muquee Champion Author Harrisburg Posts:2,436 Points:523,320 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:54:18 AM Ignore muquee Report Abuse It's not one sided.
Dennis783 Champion Author Des Moines Posts:13,599 Points:2,704,860 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:53:46 AM Ignore Dennis783 Report Abuse Worn tires do make a difference on your car
slayur Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,533 Points:1,218,270 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:53:36 AM Ignore slayur Report Abuse old news
essel Champion Author Virginia Posts:2,718 Points:1,045,420 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:53:31 AM Ignore essel Report Abuse ok
mk9999 Champion Author Rochester Posts:7,920 Points:1,674,820 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:53:27 AM Ignore mk9999 Report Abuse Slow down and the car will handle better and while you are slowing down, pay attention.
lpatti1 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:10,206 Points:1,964,235 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:52:47 AM Ignore lpatti1 Report Abuse Both
QualTekGuy Champion Author Illinois Posts:3,071 Points:734,825 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:51:54 AM Ignore QualTekGuy Report Abuse People need to drive, when they are behind the wheel, not participate in any number of non-driving activities that seem to be much more enticing.
slkmoo Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,258 Points:330,450 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:51:30 AM Ignore slkmoo Report Abuse excellent tires, excellent traction, excellent fuel economy, all runs together, winter tires are just as important
BarneyDog Veteran Author Florida Posts:358 Points:64,825 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:51:14 AM Ignore BarneyDog Report Abuse Ok
pnd1 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:5,201 Points:1,065,110 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:48:35 AM Ignore pnd1 Report Abuse It is worth paying for good tires. I have seen too many accidents happen because of worn out tires. It just isn't worth taking a chance. You can't afford good tires? Eat beans and rice and buy the good tires.
gsipper Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:1,098 Points:658,275 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:48:31 AM Ignore gsipper Report Abuse Why is it either or. Could be both.
danny999 Champion Author Florida Posts:8,728 Points:1,640,035 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:48:24 AM Ignore danny999 Report Abuse And when there's wate on the highway,those patches are off the road many times.That's when handling comes in .
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,047 Points:2,346,485 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:47:47 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Drive with common sense, watch the road and your speed, maintain correct tire pressure, watch tire wear surface patterns and correct if necessary (i.e. steering alignment) - everything will take care of itself. Always pay attention to driving and do not drive distracted! I have driven with new tires, used tires and well worn tires and have never had a problem. With driverless, computer, WiFi vehicles, the problem may not be 'you' anymore. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
jpd683 Champion Author Scranton Posts:3,909 Points:1,544,555 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:46:53 AM Ignore jpd683 Report Abuse Sometimes over inflating tires can cause them to wear in the middle causing less traction on the roadway.
Banjoe Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:4,258 Points:615,240 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:46:52 AM Ignore Banjoe Report Abuse It's always comforting to blame the manufacturers when the human doesn't understand the basics of driving. Out-driving your tires, suspension, or capability is no one's fault except the driver but taking the blame is a lot less fun than getting a lawyer to pass the blame.
sparkie951 Champion Author Roanoke Posts:4,180 Points:852,710 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:46:14 AM Ignore sparkie951 Report Abuse It most case it is the DRIVER... DRIVING HABITS... When you have to get up to 55 to get to the next traffic light that is 1 block away, you will probably loose traction. If you drive like an idiot on ice and snow, DOH...
cssco Champion Author Virginia Posts:7,331 Points:1,752,630 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:45:20 AM Ignore cssco Report Abuse it is all Bush's fault [Edited by: cssco at 8/31/2012 7:46:20 AM EST]
lindact Champion Author New Haven Posts:8,741 Points:1,717,945 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:45:06 AM Ignore lindact Report Abuse In this economy, folks will keep tires longer than they should.
jiml1965 Champion Author Harrisburg Posts:3,040 Points:691,325 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:44:55 AM Ignore jiml1965 Report Abuse How about one BIG TIRE?
BJ1947 Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:1,272 Points:481,175 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:44:37 AM Ignore BJ1947 Report Abuse Ok
Chitowner Champion Author Omaha Posts:4,269 Points:1,132,860 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:44:26 AM Ignore Chitowner Report Abuse Low profile tires are terrible
alleycatMO Champion Author Kansas City Posts:1,197 Points:292,680 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:43:10 AM Ignore alleycatMO Report Abuse mine are bald
kyjlh Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,623 Points:653,480 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 7:43:04 AM Ignore kyjlh Report Abuse ok