Slightly Staggered Wheels on AWD???

[GSR-VR]

So while I'm rebuilding my engine I picked up some 18 x 8 wheels for a good deal from a friend. BUT then I realized the tires were 245/35R18 up front and 255/35R18 in back... will this pose an issue? I've look at other AWD forums and some people say you have very little room to play with and others say no.

Could someone please clarify? Also I've searched other threads on here but their situation was different. (like 20x9 and 20x10 with some ridiculous tires or 17x8 + 17x10)

Could I get away with this?

Thanks in advance and please don't flame me.

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

First of all staggered wheels are for rwd vehicles. Second, with an awd vehicle you want all the tires the same size so that there are no differences in rotational wheel speed from front to back. So with an awd you need to run the same size all the way around.

 

[VtecvrsTurbo]

First of all staggered wheels are for rwd vehicles. Second, with an awd vehicle you want all the tires the same size so that there are no differences in rotational wheel speed from front to back. So with an awd you need to run the same size all the way around.

Very true, funny story about this:

I had a 1989 K5 Blazer and I put new gears in the rear,(4.11 I think) but never had a chance to find a set for the front. Well stupid me,(at age of 16, like 12 years ago) got stuck in the snow and had to put it in 4WD to get out. I had an idea it was bad to have different gears but didn't understand why it the time. Anyways while I was on the snow it was fine and dandy, worked great. But the second I hit raw pavement, BANG! My front axles and driveshaft broke and flew through the passenger cabin.WTF

Moral of story, KEEP EVERYTHING EVEN/SAME

 

[GSR-VR]

Thank you guys, very much. However this does pose a new question. Do tire service companies (Discount Tire) have to measure each tire individually before they install them on said AWD car?

ALSO to my knowledge isn't the outside diameter of a 245/35R18 the same as a 255/35R18?

 

[VtecvrsTurbo]

Thank you guys, very much. However this does pose a new question. Do tire service companies (Discount Tire) have to measure each tire individually before they install them on said AWD car?

ALSO to my knowledge isn't the outside diameter of a 245/35R18 the same as a 255/35R18?

The middle number is aspect ratio and signifies that a 35 series tire is 35% of 245 millimeters in height.

Soo 35% of 255 and 245 are different heights and not the same.

Reading the size of a tire is all they do. Same numbers=same height,(yes some tire designs may differ).

 

[GSR-VR]

The middle number is aspect ratio and signifies that a 35 series tire is 35% of 245 millimeters in height.

Soo 35% of 255 and 245 are different heights and not the same.

Reading the size of a tire is all they do. Same numbers=same height,(yes some tire designs may differ).

Excellent information. I can't believe I've went all these years without knowing what exactly the sidewall number meant.WTF

 

[donniekak]

You need to have as close to the same diameter as possible.
Tire Size Calculator

 

[VtecvrsTurbo]

Excellent information. I can't believe I've went all these years without knowing what exactly the sidewall number meant.WTF

Haha you would be surprised on how many actually do!

Glad I could help!

 

[jlaw12]

You can stagger them but it has to be the exact same make and model of tire. They also have to be the exact same height. I work at discount tire but I'm not sure on what sizes match up.

 

[Kapok6]

Even different treadwear in the same kind and size of tires can kill a rear end. Happened to a good friend of mine.

 

[VtecvrsTurbo]

Even different treadwear in the same kind and size of tires can kill a rear end. Happened to a good friend of mine.

Unless your running slicks and 100k mile all-season tires, I dont see this being much of a problem. But if it is, please enlighten me.

 

[estoyaqui30]

If the size (diameter) is different between front and rear, the center viscus diff will slip to allow the different rotational speeds and will burn up at some point....I'm not sure how fast but it will cause the center diff to be slipping 100% of the time.

 

[2slow4now]

This is one of my favorite tire calculators. It shows pictures.

Custom rims, wheel tire packages for your ride - RIMSnTIRES.com

An industry standard some use is less than 4% difference for and awd. Closer is better because if you calculate revolutions per mile one side will rotate more than the other. Works your differential the same as if only one side was burning out.

 

[VtecvrsTurbo]

That does seem possible, but sort of extreme.

OP: You catch the drift.

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

Very true, funny story about this:

I had a 1989 K5 Blazer and I put new gears in the rear,(4.11 I think) but never had a chance to find a set for the front. Well stupid me,(at age of 16, like 12 years ago) got stuck in the snow and had to put it in 4WD to get out. I had an idea it was bad to have different gears but didn't understand why it the time. Anyways while I was on the snow it was fine and dandy, worked great. But the second I hit raw pavement, BANG! My front axles and driveshaft broke and flew through the passenger cabin.WTF

Moral of story, KEEP EVERYTHING EVEN/SAME

That was funny Adam! Thanks for a good laugh!

The middle number is aspect ratio and signifies that a 35 series tire is 35% of 245 millimeters in height.

Soo 35% of 255 and 245 are different heights and not the same.

Reading the size of a tire is all they do. Same numbers=same height,(yes some tire designs may differ).

Yes! Lots of people are unaware that the middle number is an aspect ratio which is dependent on the width of the tire.

 

[VtecvrsTurbo]

Yes, going from something like 3.23 to 4.11 will do that

I'm happy others can learn/laugh at my misfortune

 

[Kapok6]

Unless your running slicks and 100k mile all-season tires, I dont see this being much of a problem. But if it is, please enlighten me.

What do you need to be enlightened? He ruined 1 rear end, swapped a different one in, and was still seeing temps well over 200f. He put a different tire on, (same size but different treadware), and temps in the rear end dropped 100 degrees on the rear end.

What else do you need to know?

 

[blkgst97]

You could probably get away with a 225/40/18 up front and the 255/35/18 rear but then you can not rotate and I would not really see the point.

 

[Arthris]

I'm sure I read somewhere someone was running a wider front than rear on a AWD to help reduce over/under-steer. I cant remember what thread that was in. You would need to use a tire height calculator to find the right series of tires to run to keep height even between the front and rear.
24.8 and 25 inch's for rear. I think .2 should be fine

I'm sure I read somewhere someone was running a wider front than rear on a AWD to help reduce over/under-steer. I cant remember what thread that was in. You would need to use a tire height calculator to find the right series of tires to run to keep height even between the front and rear.
24.8 and 25 inch's for rear. I think .2 should be fine

Looking at it more here Tire Size Calculator Revs per mile are so small that you should be fine

 

[RamenPride]

Yes! Lots of people are unaware that the middle number is an aspect ratio which is dependent on the width of the tire.

My reaction whenever I read how someone wants to know if their car/wheel/tire combo would look better with a 40 vs a 45 series tire without mentioning the width, or just mentions how they want to run a 35 series tire......