Belzebutt

I put on my winters about a week ago, and I have to say, I really like the light steering feel the thinner tires give. My summers are Khumo Ecsta Supra 712 235/40-18 and my winters are the OEM-size Toyo Garit HT. The car feels so much lighter and nimble!

Is there any way to dial up the power steering when I have the summers on? I'm guessing this is a big NO but it would be nice if I could preserve that feel a bit. I would gladly get 225 size tires but I think 225/40-18 will make the wheel wells look too empty without a drop.

By the way, I put them on a scale, and here's the weight difference:
Summer wheels: 18" RonJon Inspyre with Khumos - 49 lbs
Winter wheels: 17" OEM rims with Toyos - 46 lbs

helraiser

Lighter? cuz the contact patch isn't all that high most likely but seriously, you'll sacrifice handling by going skinnier. First thing you'll notice is the need to turn the steering wheel further when in a turn to do the same thing you were before. Next thing, it just won't be as responsive. Thirdly, that's a first that the thinner tires are lighter.

I drive an <cough>escort<cough> right now and I go from 175/80/13s in winter to 215/40/16s in summer and let me tell you, turning the wheel on the 215s is a lot easier than the 175s. Even on dry roads for both. May have something to do with the tires.

iTimmy

You've just experienced axial inertia, even though the weight difference is close, there is a difference and its distributed differently. The 18's weigh 49lbs, but most of its weight is closer to the circumfrence then on the 17's - the added width of the tire, and the extra inch of wheel material further out on the circumfrence makes a big difference on how a car "feels". Even if a 17 weighs the same as a 18, the 17 will be faster due to how the weight is distributed.

If you still are struggling to grasp this concept, think about swinging a hammer. Take a hammer and grab it in the center of the handle and notice the effort required to swing it, then move an inch further from the head of the hammer and swing it again, it will require more energy/force to swing when your further away and more to stop it.

Belzebutt

That's interesting, but should this not only occur at high speed, when the wheel is spinning? I can tell the difference when parking the car. I think the smaller contact patch of the winter tires probably does it. At high speed I don't mind the harder steering of the summers, it actually makes for a very stable and stright-going car on the highway.

And obviously, the cornering is far, far superior on my summers, I have to consciously reduce speed around corners now or I slide.