luder888

So what is the reason behind the law that says your wheels can't stick out beyond your fender? Is this to prevent rollover if a car hits you and there's a tire-to-tire contact?

superswiss

To minimize the spray or splash of water or mud that may impair rear visibility for you and forward visibility for the cars behind you.

MH62

I would have guessed safety concerns. Watch open wheel racing and tires touching rarely ends up well.

emacS5

because of road debris flinging off tires and striking other vehicles. This is why trucks have mudflaps.

ArvX147

Edit: also it's!!!

German cars have wheels/tires that sit a certain amount inside the fenders because of a german law that states all vehicles must have clearance for snow chains on the tires/wheels.

mplsbrian

What superswiss said.

If you guys ever have questions about why the law is what it is, just google it and (as is the case here) you'll often find the actual text of the law contains the very explanation you're looking for.

Here's Rhode Island's law: "...unless it is also equipped with flaps or suitable guards to reduce spray or splash to the rear and sides."
https://law.justia.com/codes/rhode-i...ction-31-23-26

And here's Washington, same deal: "No person may operate any motor vehicle, trailer, cargo extension, or semitrailer that is not equipped with fenders, covers, flaps, or splash aprons adequate for minimizing the spray or splash of water or mud from the roadway to the rear of the vehicle."
RCW 46.37.500: Fenders or splash aprons.

SD Nardo

I see tons lifted large trucks, SUV's, Jeeps with giant tires and no mudflaps every day. Even if wheels are inside fenders a lifted vehicle with big tires and no mudflaps seems like a d#$k move to me by owner for anyone behind them. I have Xpel but the windshield chips so damn easy on the S5 all I think about is how these guys will throw crap at me if they meander a few inches into the shoulder. So I keep my distance 😐.

luder888

Reason I ask is some new cars have these ugly plastic on the wheel arch because the wheels stick slightly past the fender. I doubt that little plastic does anything.
http://carproductstested.com/wp-cont...re-V8-0676.jpg

mplsbrian

joeyza

As others have noted, road spray. Some of the videos on YT that show road spray from tires sticking out are crazy. I can't imagine driving behind one of these types of vehicles.