im a noob to tires and traction and stuff like that so excuse me =( but i was wondering which tire would yeild more traction? 205/45/16 or 195/50/15

Thanks guys

 

a wider tire (205) will have more contact surface on the road, so there will be more grip/traction. it also depends on the choice of tire. some are better than others.

 

it really depends on the tire compound. the lotus elise comes with a 195 tire that is very sticky, but 205 has a better advantage because of a bigger patch of rubber in contact with the ground. for most traction go with an spoon lsd and mickey thompson drag radials.

 

yep. it depends on the tire, but if two of the same tire, the wider tire would mean more rubber on the ground, more traction

 

But with a taller sidewall the 195/50 would yield better results....again though depends on tire choices.

 

Depends on rubber compound, tread design, tire structure and footprint, especially compound. Tire structure = weight generally, more weight less traction. The structure of the tire will control the footprint regardless of size and thereaction of the tire to twist.

After optimizing the air pressures to optimize the footprint and choosing the best tire structure, compound, and tread:
1. the smaller footprint of the 195/50x15 will have better chance of more traction in snow. Especially with right tread design and compound.
2. the wider footprint will have a better chance at lateral traction (cornering)
3. the bigger footprint will have better chance at getting started on dry ground, assuming its not so big the Fit stalls.
There's a lot more to it, of course, but this is a good starting point.

PS generally the lower the wear factor the more traction, unless it gets cold. Softer tires have more grip than harder tires that wear longer.
If dry traction is uppermost chose a competition grade tire like Hoosiers or BFG's drag tire. Chose a size just slightly smaller in diameter than 'stock' and weighs as little as possible with a width one size wider than stock.
If its wet traction choose stock diameter and width in Hoosier wet compound.