What exactly does the term [b]'Tramlining'[/b] mean guys?

[Jay07]

Ive been checking out the pro and cons of 17" and 18" alpina's, lots of users have mentioned 'Tramlining' as a result of their wheels! What exactly does it mean? Much appreciated. JP

[zaust]

when the wheel follows the groves left in the road by constant use and heavy vehicles. the flatter the tyre the likley to tram line so size is not the problem in all cases.

[Simon13]

tyre type is a factor in this. E30's on 16's and good tyres don't tramline, but do with shit tyres

E30's on 17's are quite bad for it

[onslow]

tyres play a big part.

mine is only on 15's but with shite tyres it was a nightmare for tramlining now with decent tyres virtually none.

[C33]

If you've ever driven along the M1 around the Watford Gap service is the 1st lane you've of experienced tramlining. There is a noticeable groove in the road surface left by thousands of 40tonne lorries driving along there. If you also happen to be driving in the 1st lane, there will be what feels like a rut that you can't get out of. Thats tramlining, and you don't have to be on low profile tyres to notice it.

When you run on low profile tyres you can often sense a rut in the road, that is generally what tramlining refers to

Regards
Iain