jprice@CPS

While it does get shorter.. it doesn't get shorter at the same rate it gets wider.. so you do get a bigger contact patch.. unless you start increasing the tire pressure at the same time.

Because it's wider, it has to displace more area in front of it to get the same amount of rubber on the pavement... of course if it's just air, no prob. In this case, you have increased traction all around. If there's water, you have to move more of it hence the possibility of hydroplaning more (but with good tire selection, this isn't much of an issue). Also, slush is the worst, because it's so heavy it takes a lot longer to move it out of the way. Wider will ride on top of the slush easier.. but again good tire selection can help. The same principle applies for snow.

CraigB

I edited my original reply to read "dry traction/handling" 8^)

jprice@CPS

It depends on your definition of "better" wider is "better" for a summer tire in my definition.