MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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If I run 195 50 16, would 195 55 16 be ok on the front only? I've been offered 2 winter tyres at a great price, but they're 55's. Is that too much of a difference between front and rear?
Its almost 20mm bigger diameter, so you might have clearance issues, also the speedo will be out.
Shouldn't make a lot of difference, though the speedo will be out, and it's possible that there'll be some fouling againg wheelarches or suspension parts.
Ask the garage.
Most definitely not. Imagine both axles are at different heights- it'll make cornering dangerous and in addition you'll have potential issues with over and understeer due to different grip levels. Imagine your fronts are gripping/pulling you round a bend but your rears don't have as much grip and they swing out.
Use this: http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html
Oh and DONT buy used tyres off Ebay. Unless the tyres are from a friend I wouldn't risk my life on unknown tyres at 70mph. Why? They could come off a written-off car (subjected to stresses), could have punctured and run on the rims thus weakening the sidewalls) etc etc.
I think if you are running different height along with mixed weather-tyres you are actually putting yourself at more risk than if you ran uniform sized/brand summer tyres due to predictability.
ok thanks, will give them a miss.
also for future reference different size tyres front & rear can play havoc with your ABS & traction control system as it monitors individual wheel speeds. Your handbook may list possible tyres that can fit but usually if the profile is being changed then all four will need changing to keep the rolling radius the same.
Also if your 4wd/awd it could load up your diff till it went pop!