Currently I'm running 18x7.5" rims and 235/45/18 General Exclaim UHP tires all around. Traction is pretty good, but the only thing I'm really concerned with at this point is when I take turns in the rain from a stop. I feel like I'm losing traction a bit more than I'd like. I always have to accelerate slow in these situations or my tires spin.

Do you think going with wider tires/rims would fix this problem? Is there anyone with experience going from a similar situation?

 

Yes, it will help. But what you really need to do is invest some time into researching tires. UHPs don't have the best wet traction. Something like a Bridgestone RE050a in the same size is going to have far more wet traction.

Look into some more tires, but aftermarket wider wheels can lend a hand.

 

When I bought my tires almost 2 years ago, I did a lot of research and the UHP's came up as having good wet/dry traction... That's why I was thinking it had more to do with the width. So you think the tires are the main reason and not the width?

 

better tires will definitely get you better grip.

 

I'm not saying they're bad, but they aren't great. UHPs are on the lower end of the price range, when you spend a little more you'll get a lot more grip.

 

I would go with a better tire in the sizes you have. A wider footprint requires more debris like water, snow, etc to be evacuated out from in front of the tire, typically making it harder to gain traction. Less water the tire has to move around the easier it is for the tire to move through it. Wider better for dry, not as good for wet/ice/snow.

 

Thanks for the info, Neal. I did not know that wider tires were actually worse in the rain.

I guess the general consensus here for the best bang for the buck tire is the Hankook Ventus V12, but is that also one of the better tires in the rain? Basically, I guess I'm looking for the best bang for the buck tire for wet/dry driving (don't need to worry about snow here in FL).

 

The Continental DW's have gotten very good reviews for wet weather performance.

 

Yes and no.
A narrower tire will apply more pounds per sq in of traction, but the contact patch is also less.
A wider tire is more prone to hydroplaining, but the contact patch is wider.

Width is relative to the wheel its mounted to. So mounting a wide tire on narrow rim will react differently than a narrower tire on the same rim.
There is a lot more than just width when determining the right tire. Tread pattern, compound, sidewall stiffness etc.

It really comes down to picking the right type of tire.