Can I Have Two Different Size Rims On My Car?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can I have two different size rims on my car? Mismatched wheels will fit each tire differently causing uneven wear and tear. In addition, different sized wheels can lead to different sized tires which can be detrimental to your vehicle . The best case scenario is to buy the same original equipment wheels that came on your vehicle.

Can you drive a car with 2 different size tires?

Having two different-sized tires on the same axle is generally not a good thing . If the diameter of the two tires is close, then the rolling radius is about the same, so in the short term, you probably won’t have any damage, but long term, you run the risk of messing up your car’s differential.

Can you have different size wheels on front and back of car?

What happens if wheels are different sizes. In a front- or rear-wheel-drive vehicle, as long as both rear wheels are the same and both front wheels are the same and the suspension geometry is set up to accommodate this, the vehicle will operate fine .

Can you have one different rim?

You should be able to replace the one rim on its own , however depending on the wear of the tyres on the same “axle” i.e. the one opposite it, you should maybe consider replacing both tyres to maintain even grip characteristics.

Can you drive on different size rims?

Having different sizes on some four wheel and all wheel drive vehicles can actually do damage to the vehicle . Since tires vary from brand to brand, and even from model to model, damage can even occur with tires of the same size if they have a large enough difference in circumference.

Can you mismatch wheels?

We advise against driving with mismatch wheels and tires . Mismatched wheels and tires can cause premature and uneven wear and tear on the new and remaining three wheels. Even replacing a single worn out tire with a new one, could mess with the handling of the vehicle because of the different tread depths.

Should all 4 tires be the same size?

For optimal safety and performance, Continental recommends fitting the same tires to every wheel position on your car , so drivers should have the same brand, size, tread pattern, load index, and speed rating on the front and rear tires.

Is it OK to mismatched tires?

A car with mismatched front and back tires should still be usable, especially if it is a two wheel drive vehicle . Tires wear out at different rates, and if one is more worn than the other, simply rotating the tires may be a possibility to prevent further wear.

Can I replace 14 inch wheels with 16 inch?

No. Bigger circumference tyres will effectively increase you gearing and slow acceleration . It may marginally increase top speed if the engine has sufficient power. Most modern cars have a high final gear so the extra gearing through bigger tyres might cause the engine to struggle.

What is a staggered rim?

Basically, it means that the wheels on the back of the vehicle are a different size than those on the front . Wider wheels are usually run on the back, for example a 19×8 on the front and 19×9. 5 on the rear.

Do all rims need to be the same?

It depends. Wheels and tires are not interchangeable words . Tires are a part of the wheel setup. For instance, your vehicle has a set size of rims, but you can buy different sizes of tires to fit those rims, as long as the middle of the tires is the correct size.

Can I put 15 inch wheels on a 14 inch car?

To go from a 15 inch trailer wheel to a 14 inch trailer wheel would only require you to match up the bolt pattern of what you currently have with what you would like to install . You will first need to determine what bolt pattern you have on your wheel.

Can you mix steel and aluminum rims?

But yes, you can use a steel wheel on the inside and aluminum on the outside...as long as they’re the same size .

Can you drive with one wheel smaller?

You can drive with a smaller spare tire but not more than 50 miles . Smaller spare tires are not meant to travel for a distance more than 50 miles and speed exceeding 50 mph as they have a much smaller size and little to no tread compared to normal tires for better traction handling and ABS control.

Will different size tires affect transmission?

Increasing Tire Size Can Wear Out Your Drivetrain & Transmission .

Do all wheel drive cars have to have the same tires?

Recap: Why You May Need to Replace All Four Tires on Your AWD Vehicle . Mismatched tires are often a primary factor in drivetrain damage. To minimize variances, ensure they all match (same brand, size and type). The tread depth difference between front, rear, left and right tires should be minimal.

Is it illegal to have different rims?

But what’s legal and what’s not? Here’s a guideline to what’s legal in the major states of Australia. In NSW you are allowed to fit wheels that are up to 26mm wider than the manufacturer’s specified wheels without needing to notify the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) .

What happens if your tires are different sizes?

Mis-sized rear tires can lead to a loss of control under hard braking (the car can spin). The one tire left on the car is almost an inch smaller in diameter. It has a different size contact patch. If the vehicle has ABS, the ABS computer will be confused by the different size tire.

Do tires have to match on 4 wheel drive?

Attention! – Matching Tires on Four-Wheel Drive and All Wheel Drive Vehicles: 4WD and AWD vehicles require special attention to insure that all four tires are closely matched in diameter to avoid strain and possible damage to the vehicle’s differentials and/or viscous couplings .

How much difference in tire size is acceptable?

When changing tire sizes, we recommend staying within 3% of the diameter/height of the original tire . Any more than this and you face the risk of brake failure.

Can you mix tire sizes?

Drivers should avoid mixing tires with different tread patterns, internal constructions or sizes (unless front and rear staggered sizes are specified by the vehicle manufacture), and use identical tires on all of their vehicle’s wheel positions in order to maintain the best control and stability.

Can mismatched tires cause transmission problems?

Yes, mismatched tires can cause transmission problems . It doesn’t matter whether you’re driving a two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive vehicle. What is this? Mismatched tires can cause a host of issues in the drivetrain, including the transmission.

Can mismatched tires cause vibration?

Uneven tire wear can cause your wheels to become unbalanced and unbalanced wheels shake your car ! This can be difficult to diagnose but a skilled auto mechanic can find the problem in a flash. Proper maintenance can prevent most shaking and vibration.

Does bigger rims hurt car?

WHEEL SIZE NOT only affects a car’s performance but it also has an impact on noise levels, comfort and fuel economy . As tyre sidewall height decreases, performance tends to get sharper and handling usually improves too. Lap times also seem to improve but not massively so.

Can I change rim size on my car?

It’s possible to change the size of your tires without actually changing the diameter . One example is if you want larger rims – you can buy tires that compensate for the larger rims by reducing the “height” of the outer tire.

Can I use r17 instead of r16?

If all of these questions have the correct answer, YES, you can safely use your newly acquired wheels , even though they are 1′′ smaller in diameter.

Is square or staggered better?

Aside from optimizing performance in some vehicle applications and contexts, square tire setups have another, very practical advantage over staggered tire setups : Front-rear tire rotation, and therefore improved tire longevity.

Are staggered wheels more expensive?

If your car is still fairly new, there’s a good chance a staggered application will be considered a modification that voids the warranty by the manufacturer. Even if you find a smoking deal on some performance rims and tires today, you’ll likely end up spending more money in the long run with a staggered fitment .

How much does a rim cost?

Is it OK to have 2 different brand tires?

Putting different brand tires on a vehicle seems like a harmless practice. However, it can lead to problems with stability, traction control, and more . This is because no two brands produce tires with precisely the same specifications.

Does the rim size matter?

The size of the rim won’t really matter if you keep the overall outside diameter of the tire the same as your factory tires . If your factory rims are 18 inches with a meaty tire, you can get 22s and go with a lower profile tire and keep the same overall diameter.

What rims are interchangeable?

Can I replace 15 inch wheels with 17 inch?

Can I replace 13 inch wheels with 14 inch?

You can go from a 13 inch tire and wheel to a 14 inch provided there is space enough all around the existing tires to go to the larger size .

Can I put a 13 inch tire on a 14 inch rim?

As you probably know, using 13 inch tires on 14 inch wheels is not a good idea . The tire is not designed to fit that size and so it has to stretch and when it stretches that is when you run into problems.

Can I drive with one tire bigger than the other?

A: The mismatched tire is a dangerous situation . It should be replaced with the proper size immediately. And they have placed the tire on the worst possible end of the car, the rear. Mis-sized rear tires can lead to a loss of control under hard braking (the car can spin).

Leah Jackson
Author
Leah Jackson
Leah is a relationship coach with over 10 years of experience working with couples and individuals to improve their relationships. She holds a degree in psychology and has trained with leading relationship experts such as John Gottman and Esther Perel. Leah is passionate about helping people build strong, healthy relationships and providing practical advice to overcome common relationship challenges.