The idea of stretched tires has always been quite popular among automobile enthusiasts. A stretched tire is a tire that has less width than what a standard wheel needs. It is a narrowed version of regular tires to make the rim and wheel stand out.
A common query is whether stretching your car’s tires is okay. While it is mostly safe, there are some factors to consider for avoiding risks. Also, since stretched tires don’t add any performance benefits, the question remains whether one should do it just for aesthetics.
Below we discuss the situations when it may be safe to consider stretching the tires and when it is not. We will also discuss the advantages and safety concerns of stretched tires.
What Makes Stretched Tires Safe/Not Safe?
Stretched tires on trucks or other vehicles are not unsafe. But at the same time, they are not the safest and most intelligent choice for a vehicle. Your car doesn’t need stretched tires for better performance.
Find out the situations where you can consider doing it and where you can’t below.
When you can consider doing it:
- The state you are living in allows it.
- Car insurance supports the modification.
- You can afford to use the car mainly for showcasing purposes.
- The vehicle is not used often.
- It is a sports car.
- Professional support is available.
When you should not do it:
- The state you live in does not allow it.
- Car insurance does not allow modification.
- The car is used regularly and is not intended to be used for showcasing only.
- There are children in the family who ride the same vehicle considered for the job.
- The car’s model is not suitable for heavy stretching of the tires, and you often ride on rough terrains.
- Professional support is not available.
Is it legal to stretch your tires?
Whether or not it is legal to stretch your tires is still a topic with no clear answers. Generally speaking, no particular law claims that it is legal/illegal.
While stretching the tires is nothing new, it became prevalent over the past few years solely because of the visual aesthetics.
If you are into car aesthetics and decided to give stretched tires a go, you must check with your area and insurance policy first. Some states in the US are pretty strict about stretched tires and don’t allow it.
The same goes for some car insurance policies. Many companies reject or void their policies because the car owners stretch their tires without discussing them with the company beforehand. You obviously wouldn’t want that.
Advantages of Stretching Tires
Stretched tires do not have any benefits performance-wise for your car. Some people who tried stretched tires claim they add a different feel to some aspects of the vehicle while driving.
See the list below for how stretched tires may influence your car riding experience.
- Make the wheel stand out and create a bold statement; make your car show-ready.
- Give your car a unique look and thus help keep up with the trend.
- Thin-looking tires give a sports car vibe.
- You may get better flank control.
- An easy form of Fender modification.
Safety Concerns with Stretched Tires
Stretched tires have very little to do with your car’s performance; it has everything to do with aesthetics. However, you can’t overlook safety concerns when doing something new with your vehicle.
Every vehicle is different. What may be expected and safe for other cars may not be suitable for yours. You must know what you can/can’t do with your particular model and car type.
Now let’s check out some safety concerns related to stretched tires below.
- Very widely stretched tires on rims can uncover the wheel barrels, which is risky.
- It may need air refilling quite too often.
- Too much stretching can tear the sidewall of the tire.
- Excessively stretched tires can cause de-beading when you drive, which can be dangerous.
- Tires may not stay put and move across the wheel barrels from side to side.
- The sidewalls may not be able to handle as much weight as before.
- It can cause unexpected tire deflation and increase the risk of blowouts.
- Doing it alone can be risky.
What are some good tires for stretching?
Some tires perform well when stretched. If you decide to try how this new style looks on your car, look at the following list to find some good tires to stretch.
- Falken
- Gladiator X Comp
- SUPERMAX
- Kenda Klever
- Nitto
- Toyo
- Nankang
- Hankook Ventus
- BFGoodrich
Stretched Tires Vs. Regular Tires
Although stretched and regular tires are not that different from each other, you may notice some principal differences as you try stretched tires for the first time.
Following this, we put together a quick comparison table highlighting them.
| Feature | Regular Tires | Stretched Tires |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Moderate to expensive | Cheaper |
| Width | 8-28 inches (depending on the car model and wheel type) | 1-3 inches of difference |
| Weight support | Sidewall supports normal weight | Sidewall supports less weight |
| Grip on the road | Maintain good grip | Loss in grip |
| Air refill | Less frequently | Frequently (especially for extensive stretch) |
- Cost
So, saving money by going for stretched tires instead of traditional tires is a thing. Stretched tires are smaller in width; hence you can go for the cheaper and smaller tires to stretch them out and fit on the wheel barrels.
Most of the time, this is not why people choose to do this; nonetheless, there is a significant difference between the two types.
- Risk factors
Accidents can happen. This is true for both regular and stretched tires. But, in the case of stretched tires, you are doing something unusual.
You are interfering with a perfectly engineered product and giving it a new look. This can increase the risk. For example, the risk of blowouts is more plausible in stretched tires compared to regular ones.
- Weight support
Another significant difference between the two types is the decrease in the weight of the sidewall. Regular tires maintain average weight for the sidewall.
For stretched tires, the weight decreases. Therefore, the capacity to hold onto the car’s and passengers’ weight can also decrease.
Tips for Stretching Tires
Stretching your tires is not the safest choice, but it is not all dangerous. You must keep a few things in mind when you get stretched tires.
Check below…
- Consider the type of your vehicle and the corresponding tire stretch chart.
- Try to opt for steel wheels as they are the safest.
- Don’t go overboard with the stretching, as it can be dangerous.
- Check the condition of your tires from time to time.
- Make sure that the seals are proper.
- Don’t go on rough terrains or speed up too much (especially with stretched mud tires).
- If you can’t find a service provider who can stretch the tires, and decide to do it yourself, ensure you know what you are doing. Also, keep a fire extinguisher ready.