Last Updated on July 21, 2023 by Henry T. Hawkins
There are a lot of choices to make when it comes to tires. You have to decide what size, width, and type of tire you want. And if that’s not confusing enough, you also have to choose the right rim! But can you put different width tires on the same rim? The answer is yes – but it’s not always recommended.
Here, we will discuss the pros and cons of using different width tires on the same rim and tips on how to make sure it is done correctly. We will also discuss what you need to know before putting different width tires without changing rims. So, keep reading!
Can you put different width tires on same rim?
Yes, we’ve already mentioned that you can put different width tires on the same rim. However, it is very important to understand the tire measurements.
Have you noticed some sidewall markings (a series of numbers and letters) in your tire? These numbers and letters are the tire size, and they can tell you a lot about the tire. You have to understand these measurements to determine what size tires you can use on the same rim.
There are three parameters in tires. For example, in a 225/60R/16 tire:
– Section width: The 225 millimeters is the width of the tire.
– Sidewall height: 60R is the aspect ratio of the rubber between the tread and the inside edge of the tire. The ratio is the percentage of the width. Here, the 60R means the sidewalls are 60% of 225 millimeters. ‘R’ refers to the radial of the tire. It helps to understand how high the sidewalls are.
– Inner bead diameter: The tire’s inside diameter is 16 inches. This is measured in inches, and the rest are millimeters. So, don’t get confused here.
The first limit is the ratio of rim width to the tire width. Another answer is that you can only put a tire with a broader tread (width) width up to a certain point, which isn’t always clear because the tread depth is measured in millimeters (mm), while rims are generally measured in inches. If your rim diameter is 7 inches, it’s 177mm; however, tires come in sizes ranging from 165, 175 and in 5 mm increments. The most common 7-inch rims can drive on 215 or even 225mm when properly inflated. A 7.5-inch rim may typically manage 245 or 255mm of inflation.
However, going up a section width also generally reduces aspect ratio; a 225/60R/16 tire may be replaced with a 235/55/16 or a 245/50/16 and still have the same overall outside diameter.
The other restriction is the clearance within the wheel well. This is why both outside diameter and width are crucial. A wider or taller tire, even on a factory rim, may irritate inside the wheelwell with brake lines or suspension components. That’s a risk of tire damage or even sudden failure. It could also leave little room to remove water or snow safely if that’s necessary.
Also read: Discount tire vs costco which is better
What Are The Factors to Consider Before Increasing The Tire Size Without Changing Rims?
It’s true that larger tires offer better handling and make more contact with the road. However, it would be ideal if you didn’t go crazy. If you pick a tire size that is too large, your car can be damaged. The following are some of the most important elements to think about before increasing the size of your tire:
The size of the wheel well:
Tires require room to turn. When traveling over rough terrain or when turning, tires frequently juggle. Take note of the amount of space your tires will have inside the wheel. In general, there’s more space for bigger tires than for expanding the outside diameter. Make sure no part of the wheels touches any metal in the wheel well or against the shock absorbers or brakes.
The Size of Tires
Wider tires increase friction. This implies more roadway noise and reduced fuel efficiency. So, if you change the tire’s diameter, the transmission will be shifted. You might put the speedometer or odometer out of whack.
This is because they’re all designed to fit a specific tire size. When you alter the tires, you also change the effective gear ratio. The relationship between the engine and transmission is designed around a specific wheel and tire size. So, if you put smaller wheels on a car, it will have to work harder to go at the same speed. If you put bigger wheels on, it will be easier for the vehicle to roll down the road.
To find out how the new tires will effect the car’s speed, use a car tire size calculator. If the difference is significant, you should reset your speedometer to match the new tires.
Why Would You Want to Change Your Tire Size?
Aside from the desire for better performance, there are a variety of additional motives to consider when upgrading tire size.
Better looks:
A small tire might look unappealing and cheap. Larger tires appear to be more attractive. Based on the brand of the tire and its version, you may notice that a huge tire covers the gap between an axle and wheel wells. This appears to be more elegant and streamlined.
Increased performance
The car’s tires include four contact areas in contact with the road. This is where the tire rubber comes into direct contact with the pavement. The larger your contact patches, the more firmly your tires grip the road as you apply your brakes. With more contact patches, your car will be less likely to lose traction on the road as you brake, accelerate, or make sharp turns. There are two methods for increasing the contact patches:
- The first method is to increase the tire’s diameter in order to make the patches longer, which will improve the aspect ratio.
- The second option, and often the better one, is to use wider tires, increasing the contact patches.
Better handling:
Larger tires provide increased stability and better handling, especially at high speeds. This is because larger tires have a lower rolling resistance.
Also read: Life expectancy tire treadwear rating chart
Advantages of bigger and larger tires:
There are plenty of reasons to go with a bigger tire. Here are some advantages of doing so:
More ground clearance:
This is especially useful if you frequently drive over rough terrain or go off-roading. The extra clearance can help prevent your tires from getting punctured by rocks or other sharp objects.
Better traction:
Larger tires typically have more tread, which gives them a better grip on the road (or trail). This can be helpful when driving in slippery conditions or when you need to make quick stops.
A smoother ride:
The added size and cushioning of bigger tires can make for a smoother ride, even on bumpy roads. This can be a major selling point for many drivers.
Better fuel economy:
Believe it or not, larger tires can actually help you save money at the pump. The extra weight of the tires means that your engine has to work harder to get them moving, which uses up more fuel. But once they’re up to speed, they tend to roll more smoothly and require less power to keep them going.
Aggressive look:
Many people simply prefer the look of large tires. They can give your car a more aggressive appearance, which may be something you’re going for.
Disadvantages of bigger and larger tires:
While there are a lot of advantages of bigger tires, there are also some disadvantages.
More expensive:
The larger the tire, the more expensive it is. This is because they require more rubber and materials to make them.
Heavier:
Larger tires are also heavier than smaller ones. This can impact your gas mileage and make your car harder to handle.
Bad for fuel economy:
While larger tires may look cooler, they can actually negatively impact your fuel economy. This is because they are heavier and create more drag on the road.
Can be difficult to find:
If you are looking for specific sizes of tires, it can be difficult to find them. This is especially true if you have a unique vehicle or are looking for a very specific size.
May not fit your car:
Before buying larger tires, make sure that they will fit your car. Some cars are not made to accommodate larger tires, and it could cause damage to your vehicle if you try to put them on.
Take up more space:
Larger tires also take up more space. This can be an issue if you try to park in a tight spot or fit your car into a small garage.
Can be more difficult to handle:
Because they are larger and heavier, bigger tires can be more difficult to handle. This can make driving in the snow or on winding roads more difficult.
Can be noisy:
Larger tires can also be quite noisy. This is because they have more contact with the road, which creates a lot of noise.
As you can see, there are some disadvantages to larger tires. However, the advantages usually outweigh the disadvantages. If you are thinking about getting bigger tires, make sure to do your research to see if they are right for you.
Wrapping up:
Thanks for reading this post. We hope you’ve found it helpful and informative. To sum up, we want to say that, in general, it’s best to stick with the same width tires on your car.
However, if you are looking to change things up or experiment a little, different width tires can offer some benefits. Just be sure to do your research and make sure that they will actually fit your car before you buy them.
We hope this article was helpful in answering your question: can you put different width tires on the same rim. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re always happy to help! Thanks for reading.