The tire contact patch, or tire footprint, is the area of the tire that directly connects to the driving surface. It bridges the road and the vehicle. The contact patch is an engineering feat that is specific not only to each manufacturer but also each individual tire. It affects traction, handling and treadwear.
Many variables affect the contact patch and therefore the factors it in turn affects. The most critical variable is vehicle load and air pressure. A tire's maximum operating pressure will be molded on the tire's sidewall. However, it is recommended that tire air pressure be set to the vehicle manufacturer's specifications which is usually found on the placard on the driver's side door panel.
Staggered Fitment
Performance vehicles often use wider tires. This does not necessarily increase the sie of the contact patch but rather changes its surface shape. Reshaping the contact patch makes it more efficient for accelerating, braking and handling.
Some performance vehicles will utilize a staggered tire fitment. Also called a staggered tire application, it is the use of wider tires on the rear of the vehicle and narrower tires on the front. There are many reasons to use a staggered fitment but generally it is often adopted for cosmetic or performance purposes.
A staggered tire fitment should only be used when the rear axle is heavier, or when the vehicle is rear-wheel drive. In either scenario, the staggered fitment is a solution to any handling issues that may occur. Vehicles with a weightier rear can use a wider contact patch to generate better handling behavior. For vehicles with rear-wheel drive, even with an even weight ratio, the drive axle can apply additional forces on the tires and lead to handling issues. Wider, shorter contact patches on the back end of the vehicle allow for more traction under acceleration than a non-staggered fitment.
Some drivers may wish to widen their contact patch to increase traction. This is most commonly seen in off-road enthusiasts who air down their tires for a wider contact patch to increase the area in extreme off-road situations, such as deep mud, gravel or rock climbing.
Keep in mind that tires should be properly inflated during regular on-road use on pavement and at high speeds.
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