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Can I put a different size rim on my car?

By Isabella Little
Changing wheel size means changing tire size When you add larger rims, you will need different sized tires. The tire will need to be shorter in height (aspect ratio) to compensate for space, and to keep the overall diameter the same. Something to also consider is that bigger tires are usually more expensive.

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Hereof, can I have two different size rims on my car?

Most vehicles are designed so that driven wheels run at the same speed, so need to be precisely the same diameter. In your case, the different size wheels are on the rear axle of a front wheel-driven car, so this is not a problem.

Furthermore, how do I know if rims will fit my car? The two easiest ways are to check the sticker plate in your car, it should be located inside the driver side door, or look online for the vehicle specifications for your exact make and model. That should tell you the standard rim size.

Beside above, can you put a different size tire on a car?

Long story short: Yes, it is a problem to have two tires of different sizes on the front (or back) of your car. Having two different-sized tires on the same axle is generally not a good thing. Sometimes, people choose to put larger tires on the rear axle of their vehicle for handling reasons, cosmetic reasons, etc.

Can I drive with different size wheels?

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.

Related Question Answers

Can I use 215 tires instead of 225?

If you have 215/65/16's then you could go to a 225/60/16 just fine in the vast majority of cases. This is called "plus zero" sizing your tires. Assuming the new tires fit, you can use this calculator to see what the difference will be:

Can I replace 15 inch wheels with 16 inch?

A vehicle equipped with a 16-inch rim and tire package can be changed to a 15-inch rim and tire. The main factor to consider is the overall rolling distance, which is the distance the vehicle travels with one revolution of the tire.

Can wrong size tires damage car?

Unfortunately, altering the tire size of a vehicle without thorough and careful consideration is a decision that can really bite. Fitting the wrong tire size can cause damage to a vehicle, and is a real safety hazard as well.

Can wrong size tires damage transmission?

Tires do matter, incorrect tire sizes can cause serious damage to your vehicle not to mention a safety hazard. Putting on the wrong size tires on some cars and trucks will destroy the transmission cause damage to the suspension.

How much does it cost to replace a car rim?

While it might seem easier to buy new wheels, that can be costly (think: $200 to $500). Most of the time, damage can be repaired at a wheel repair shop and cost anywhere from $65 to $400. But, depending on the damage, you may be able to repair your wheels or rims yourself for $20 or less.

Should I replace all 4 tires or just 2?

There can be exceptions, though. Some manufacturers of all-wheel-drive vehicles recommend that all four tires be replaced, not just one or two, because a new tire will have a larger overall diameter than the other tires. On a front- or rear-wheel-drive vehicle, similar guidelines apply.

Can I put different size tires on the front and back?

While it's fine to put narrower tyres on the front and wider on the back, it's pointless to put wider tyres on just one side of the car. This would change the weight balance and would mean one side of the vehicle would grip differently to the road when braking.

Are 205 and 215 tires interchangeable?

Visually, probably not. You also have to remember that one tire manufacturer's tread width on a 205 tire is not the same as another. So one brand's 205 may be the same width as another brand's 215. Use tire rack to check the tread widths on the tire.

Do tire sizes have to match exactly?

They have to meet size standards for bead shape, diameter and width. The U.S. Tire and Rim Association and the European Tire and Rim Technical Organization also agree on other parameters of the tires. These standards, set by these organizations, are usually interchangeable.

What if my spare tire is a different size?

Yes, you can use your old tire as a spare, as the general rule is that a spare within 2" of the bad tire on the ground will work, but a used tire the same size as your tires on the ground won't cost much.

What happens when you change tire size?

involves changing the tire and/or wheel size from the original size in a controlled manner so as to maintain certain critical dimensions. When creating a Plus Size fitment, the section width of the tire increases and the sidewall height decreases.

Can you change the size of tires on a car?

When changing the car's original wheels and tires, the general rule of thumb is that you can go up or down by one inch. For example, if your car is currently riding on 17-in wheels, you can reduce the size to 16 inches. If you want to change your car's wheel size, there are a number of resources that can help.

What do the numbers on a tire size mean?

The two-digit number after the slash mark in a tire size is the aspect ratio. For example, in a size P215/65 R15 tire, the 65 means that the height is equal to 65% of the tire's width. The bigger the aspect ratio, the bigger the tire's sidewall will be.

What does the middle number in tire size mean?

The two-digit number that usually follows the tire's section width tells us the aspect ratio, or tire profile measurement. In this example, the 45 indicates that the sidewall distance, from the wheel rim to the outside of the tread, is 45% of the section width.

Will changing tire size void warranty?

The dealer will push back, but if you know your rights, you will win every time so long as you are within reason. So, no, changing out for snow tires will not void your warranty. No, this should not void your warranty as long as the replacement tires are the same size as the stock ones.

Can I put wider tires on my stock rims?

To keep the suspension and speedometer functioning correctly, both the stock diameter and width of the wheels and tires needs to be maintained. As a general rule of thumb, it's safe to fit a tire up to 20 millimeters wider than stock on the original rim.

Does Rim offset matter?

Positive offset means that the mounting plate is in the outside half of the wheel, toward the wheel face. Most OEM wheels, and most wheels in general, will have a positive offset. Negative offset means the mounting plate is on the other side of the wheel's centerline, farther toward the suspension.

Can I put bigger rims on my car?

There are definitely some pros and some cons to putting larger wheels on your vehicle. On a car, for instance, base models will likely come standard with a smaller wheel size such as 16″ rims. Most manufacturers don't recommend going over 1-2 ” more than the original wheel size (for cars).

What do rim size numbers mean?

Tire Sizes "R" stands for radial and relates to the tire construction. The final number in the code (e.g.,"14") is the rim size measured in inches. This means that the width (of thickness) of the wheel is 8.5 inches and the diameter is 20 inches.