[RESOLVED] tire size's section width?

[dragonov_elite]

i am wondering if it is possible to run a 205/55/16 front tire with a 215/55/16 rear tire on a 2g awd? or would this be a really bad idea.

 

[95AWD_TSI_TALON]

i am wondering if it is possible to run a 205/55/16 front tire with a 215/55/16 rear tire on a 2g awd? or would this be a really bad idea.

Why would you want to?

IMO and theory I would belive it could cause a problem over time on the VC due to the tires would "expand at speed" differently (due to smaller tread width). Would act as if your tires are slightly under inflated. Just my 2 cents.
Matt

 

[dragonov_elite]

Well i have been trying to convince my dad that this tire option would not work. The reason he wants me to run them is because he doesnt want me to waist money on new winter tires for my car, Now that it has snowed in the area he is really pushing the issue because the tires i have on my car now are summer tires and he wants me to run winter tread. So basically i needed some good information to back my arguments up and to put him in his place .

thanks for the info.

 

[BoostFrenzy]

Very bad idea especially on slippery surfaces. For our cars, you need to run the same exact tire on all 4 corners. This is so our center diff doesn't want to blow up on you.

 

[dragonov_elite]

keep the info coming so he cant put up an argument . i am such a nice son jp.

 

[Locke]

All 4 tires must be of equal diameter on AWD vehicles. 205/55-16 vs. 215/55-16 is a 1.7% difference, which will stress your VC and could lead to problems over time.

 

[Savage Talon]

Including brand and model, most tires are different. So a Dunlop tire might have the same numbers as a Toyo, but they could be different diameters all together.

 

[wret]

Including brand and model, most tires are different. So a Dunlop tire might have the same numbers as a Toyo, but they could be different diameters all together.

Of all tire dimensions amonst brands and types, you will find little variation in diameter. Section width and tread width are all over the map.

This will be added to the existing discussion that is, by the way, listed in the FAQ's.

 

[talonTSIDriver]

You should be able to find a cheap set of stock swirlies or something and put some all-season's on them for the winter months. Summer tires in winter is a bad idea, i learned the hard way with me AWD spyder.

dragonov_elite- I am over in stevens point wi so if you need some stock rims, let me know.

 

[dragonov_elite]

I found this tire and rim calculator last night and thought i would share it with you guys. Hope this helps some other people in my position.

http://www.miata.net/cgi-bin/tirescgi
Tire size calculator

 

[Jon Lane]

The most convincing argument for identical sizes is probably the local tire shop. Drive the car in, ask them to swap out the rears (or fronts) for a different size, and watch what happens. Unless they don't know it's an AWD, it'll be interesting...

 

[Dallas J]

If the tires have more than a 5% rotating difference then youll have the center diff start locking up on you. Youll know pretty quick when it happens I bet.

Running something less than that wont cause the diff to lock up or any major damage, but will cause the fluid in the viscous coupler to break down over time and it will loose its effectiveness, just like how older cars have weaker viscous centers. Also, the stress applied by the center dragging (because of the 2 different output speeds) will reduce the center diffs life which is known for being somewhat of a weak link in our drivetrain.