Different tyre profile sizes

[jonny_g]

hi all

quick question, i'm currently running 205/50/16 tyres on my car and need 2 new front tyres. I ahd managed to find a very good deal on 2 new bridgestones but they only have them in the 205/55/16 size.

would it be safe to have these 2 on the car or do all 4 need to be same profile size, rather than just same profile on each axle?

Cheers

J

 

[Alex H]

Safe. Some people deliberately buy different profile front and rear tyres to adjust rake.

 

[Pride07]

Safe. Some people deliberately buy different profile front and rear tyres to adjust rake.

Please explain that more

 

[jonny_g]

i thought 5mm wouldnt make too much difference. anyway, the tyres on it now are fortuna sports which are absolutely AWFUL and probably less safe than 2 bridgestones with a slightly higher profile

 

[Alex H]

Please explain that more

Well it's not really rake, but people call it that. Higher profile tyre at the back than the front will make the car sit slightly nose down, but not enough to notice with 50/55.

 

[jonny_g]

the thing is, if i get these tyres, the higher profile will be on the front i.e 55s, so nose up

 

[Pride07]

the thing is, if i get these tyres, the higher profile will be on the front i.e 55s, so nose up

If you're only installing two new tyres, they should always be put on the rear wheels with the rears put on the front.

 

[jonny_g]

If you're only installing two new tyres, they should always be put on the rear wheels with the rears put on the front.

for any particular reason?

 

[Feates172]

205/50 has a side wall size of 102.5mm.
205/55 has a side wall size of 112.75mm.

I wouldnt go for something with that much difference.

Stick with 205/50. Imo. 112.75 is a huge sidewall.

 

[Pride07]

205/50 has a side wall size of 102.5mm.
205/55 has a side wall size of 112.75mm.

I wouldnt go for something with that much difference.

Stick with 205/50. Imo. 112.75 is a huge sidewall.

If the load and speed ratings are correct, then does the sidewall still matter?

 

[Feates172]

Well, just means the tyre can take the same load and speed.

My point was, itll look stupid and they will have more flex.

 

[105e]

It would look weird with taller sidewalls on the front, easily sorted put on the rear.

 

[jonny_g]

It would look weird with taller sidewalls on the front, easily sorted put on the rear.

fair point, just would rather have had the better quality rubber on the front axle rather than the back. The difference in the price between 55 profile and 50 is nearly double, hence why i'm stalling. had it only been a few quid, i would stick to the original profiles...

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

100% chance 55s will NOT fit a Clio. They barely fit my scoob !

 

[jonny_g]

100% chance 55s will NOT fit a Clio. They barely fit my scoob !

i'm driving an '04 corolla

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Ok .. but as above, there's 4" difference in overall height.

Just go with the OEM size.

Blackcircles / Camskill FTW.

Try a 215/50 or 45 instead of 55 perhaps ?

Plenty of tyre calculators online to see what's what if your original size are 'that' awkward to get hold of.

 

[MartinR]

If you're only installing two new tyres, they should always be put on the rear wheels with the rears put on the front.

Why?

 

[Pride07]

Why?

This video shows it well

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--Hb5kQCaTg

 

[MartinR]

lol ^^

1. Yanks (says it all)
2. rear wheel drive
3. don't go that fast round corners in the wet

 

[McGherkin]

FYI It'll make the speedo underread if you fit bigger tyres to the front. By 1mph.

 

[Pride07]

lol ^^

1. Yanks (says it all)
2. rear wheel drive
3. don't go that fast round corners in the wet

Advice applies to both fwd and rwd cars. You end up with understeer rather than oversteer

 

[Lal B3N]

Advice applies to both fwd and rwd cars. You end up with understeer rather than oversteer

Mine always go on the front and always will. Or if they really needed to go on the back I would wear them in on the front first.

 

[Edward04]

The difference in the price between 55 profile and 50 is nearly double

If that's the case can't you just get a set of four of the cheaper ones, sell on the pair of part worns from your car that still have some life in them, then at least everything will be even front and backs... Different front and rear profiles on a car that should have the same will look daft.

You shouldn't scrimp on tyres...