Tire help

[BossChief]

I have a 2011 Nissan Frontier and I need to replace 2 of the tires on it and a friend of mine sold me 2 barely used ones for dirt cheap (100 for the pair) and let me know they aren't exactly the same size.

The stock tires are 265-70-r16

The ones he sold me are 265-75-r16

I brought them to Farm n fleet to have them put on and they called me back saying I really shouldn't put them on my truck because it can screw up my drivetrain being they aren't the same size as the other 2.

I had them hold off on putting them on and figured I'd ask you guys if that's a legit concern (the truck is 4wd).

I guess I've always had matching tires, but the deal was too good to pass on and if I need to, I can resell them.

[Baby Lee]

I had them hold off on putting them on and figured I'd ask you guys if that's a legit concern (the truck is 4wd).

The more sophisticated your system, the more important that specs are adhered to. This is particularly true with tire sizes and AWD/4WD. The transmission/transaxle is rotating at a certain speed, distributing power to the wheels. It's doing so expecting that each rotation will propel each tire a certain distance. If your tires are different sizes, they travel slightly different distances per revolution. If there's no slip feedback, that difference has to be absorbed by the system by either dragging the smaller tires a little bit to keep up with the bigger ones, or stressing the transmission/transaxle when each tire's distance to revolution ratio is different.

If you value your transmission, and do a lot of highway driving [where the differential builds up because the system can't correct like it could slipping on gravel or dirt or coming off the ground, I'd match the tires.

[Simply Red]

as long as there's clearance regarding tire height to bumper seam gap - you'll be fine.

[Simply Red]

your tire will have 5% actually less than that - increase in height - shouldn't be any other conflictions.

[Simply Red]

so here - if your truck is NOT lowered - let it rip - you'll be just fine, in fact - your truck will hook the road better (grip)

The more height - the better the grip. Due to gravity and physics alone.

[Simply Red]

Do you have any Football questions while I'm here?

[ptlyon]

Do you have any Football questions while I'm here?

What are your thoughts on why the drop kick is barely used anymore?

[Baby Lee]

What are your thoughts on why the drop kick is barely used anymore?

Flutie retired.

[BossChief]

Do you have any Football questions while I'm here?

You seem funny.



























PS Thank you for the morning chuckle

[kepp]

I'd assume that having different sized tires when in 4wd would give you similar results as sharp turning on dry pavement when in 4wd. You know how the tires "jerk" because the two front ones are traveling different distances when the drivetrain is expecting them to travel the same distance?

[Tombstone RJ]

edit: I misread your OP, I think you will be ok IF you keep both tires on the same axel and I'd keep them on the rear axel. If you rotate them, just switch sides (hopefully they are not directional tires).

[kepp]

edit: I misread your OP, I think you will be ok IF you keep both tires on the same axel and I'd keep them on the rear axel. If you rotate them, just switch sides (hopefully they are not directional tires).

If he's in 2wd, yes. But when in 4wd the drivetrain is going to want all four tires moving the same distance per rotation.

[Tombstone RJ]

If he's in 2wd, yes. But when in 4wd the drivetrain is going to want all four tires moving the same distance per rotation.

Yah, that might be a problem. That being said, I see 4WD trucks driving around with different size tires on. For example, they will have one tire with absolutely no tread on it (causing it it to spin faster) and on the other side they will have a brand new tire with tread on it, so in theory, even if they are the same size tires, one is spinning faster (or slower) than the other because of tread wear. Now, long term, this will affect the differential and turning and all that and also, the people who are doing this basically look like they don't give a crap because it's an old jeep or whatever. But yah, when the truck is in 4WD there might be issues.

[kepp]

I think the gist of it is that you'd be better off finding another two cheapo tires of the same size.

[ROYC75]

2wd, same axle, OK. Do not mix them up on rotation.

4wd, engaged, not good.

[Baby Lee]

Yah, that might be a problem. That being said, I see 4WD trucks driving around with different size tires on. For example, they will have one tire with absolutely no tread on it (causing it it to spin faster) and on the other side they will have a brand new tire with tread on it, so in theory, even if they are the same size tires, one is spinning faster (or slower) than the other because of tread wear. Now, long term, this will affect the differential and turning and all that and also, the people who are doing this basically look like they don't give a crap because it's an old jeep or whatever. But yah, when the truck is in 4WD there might be issues.

That's why I talked about sophistication. A lot of the 4WDs you see with janky tires are big beefy Detroit steel that can take all kinds of abuse. As you get into computer control and integrated systems, this kind of stress, particularly the more chronic it is [highway driving, with the prolonged high traction rotational differential] burns little expensive things out.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

I think the gist of it is that you'd be better off finding another two cheapo tires of the same size.

Why can't he just find one to match one of the two ?

[Simply Red]

Why can't he just find one to match one of the two ?

perhaps Used tires? :shrug:

[Buehler445]

Don't. You'll shred your transfer case. Unless you never use 4wd.

[BossChief]

Thanks for the advice, guys.

[SAUTO]

Page 8-41 of your owner's manual tellsyou everything you need to know. Basically don't do it

[Saccopoo]

Total no-no on an AWD/4WD vehicle.

As previously mentioned, will squirrel up the transfer case, especially in highway driving with AWD/4WD engaged.

Can also lead to a fucked up ABS braking system at it will see differing wheel speed rotations and the speed sensors will send varying information to the system and your breaking will be under uneven pressure.

No bueno amigo.

[pr_capone]

I have a 2011 Nissan Frontier and I need to replace 2 of the tires on it and a friend of mine sold me 2 barely used ones for dirt cheap (100 for the pair) and let me know they aren't exactly the same size.

The stock tires are 265-70-r16

The ones he sold me are 265-75-r16

I brought them to Farm n fleet to have them put on and they called me back saying I really shouldn't put them on my truck because it can screw up my drivetrain being they aren't the same size as the other 2.

I had them hold off on putting them on and figured I'd ask you guys if that's a legit concern (the truck is 4wd).

I guess I've always had matching tires, but the deal was too good to pass on and if I need to, I can resell them.

Per my little brother...

You do not want to put those tires on your vehicle. The wrong size will cause excessive wear in the transfer case. Going to the wrong size is bad enough but most shops wont recommend putting on the same size tire that has a greater difference than 4/32 in tread on a vehicle with an AWD/4WD system.

[19now11]

that would be the case if the bigger number (tire hight) was different. the 75 is the width and id assume it wouldnt hurt your tcase so long as u kept em on the same axle...

[Simply Red]

that would be the case if the bigger number (tire hight) was different. the 75 is the width and id assume it wouldnt hurt your tcase so long as u kept em on the same axle...

no it's the height - not the width.

[Baby Lee]

no it's the height - not the width.

Depends on which number changes. The 265 is the millimeter width, and the 70/75 is the percent of the width the height of the sidewall is. So in this case where only the the percentage changes, the height indeed changes. But it's conceivable that say a 245-75 is shorter than a 265-70, or a 255-75 is taller than a 265-65

[Simply Red]

Depends on which number changes. The 265 is the millimeter width, and the 70/75 is the percent of the width the height of the sidewall is. So in this case where only the the percentage changes, the height indeed changes. But it's conceivable that say a 245-75 is shorter than a 265-70, or a 255-75 is taller than a 265-65

yes - that's exactly what i'm saying.

[Simply Red]

bout to go to work - any football related questions?

[Buehler445]

bout to go to work - any football related questions?

Fuck the Donks?

[duncan_idaho]

Side note/question:

Anyone else tried to buy just two tires for a FWD vehicle recently?

I had a car I was driving into the ground recently, that had a flat on one of the rear tires. I tried to purchase just a new front set of tires, as I rarely take this thing on the highway, and almost never drive more than 10 miles at a time (I work from home). I had two tire shops refuse to sell me just a pair of tires and put them on the front axle, because of new recommendations from tire manufacturers to always put the best tread on the rear axle, even in FWD vehicles, to prevent hydro planing.

Anyone else run into this (I had it happen at NTB and a local shop)? Internet research backs up their story, but the whole things seems pretty ludicrous to me, for a few reasons:

1) having the best tread on the front axle of a FWD car is going to help you in many more situations than just worrying about hydro planing.

2) even if you're buying a set of tires, in a FWD vehicle, the front tires are always going to wear faster, right? So how do you ever rotate a set and get the most life out of it?

[kepp]

Side note/question:

Anyone else tried to buy just two tires for a FWD vehicle recently?

I had a car I was driving into the ground recently, that had a flat on one of the rear tires. I tried to purchase just a new front set of tires, as I rarely take this thing on the highway, and almost never drive more than 10 miles at a time (I work from home). I had two tire shops refuse to sell me just a pair of tires and put them on the front axle, because of new recommendations from tire manufacturers to always put the best tread on the rear axle, even in FWD vehicles, to prevent hydro planing.

Anyone else run into this (I had it happen at NTB and a local shop)? Internet research backs up their story, but the whole things seems pretty ludicrous to me, for a few reasons:

1) having the best tread on the front axle of a FWD car is going to help you in many more situations than just worrying about hydro planing.

2) even if you're buying a set of tires, in a FWD vehicle, the front tires are always going to wear faster, right? So how do you ever rotate a set and get the most life out of it?

...3) it's my freaking car

[Tombstone RJ]

Side note/question:

Anyone else tried to buy just two tires for a FWD vehicle recently?

I had a car I was driving into the ground recently, that had a flat on one of the rear tires. I tried to purchase just a new front set of tires, as I rarely take this thing on the highway, and almost never drive more than 10 miles at a time (I work from home). I had two tire shops refuse to sell me just a pair of tires and put them on the front axle, because of new recommendations from tire manufacturers to always put the best tread on the rear axle, even in FWD vehicles, to prevent hydro planing.

Anyone else run into this (I had it happen at NTB and a local shop)? Internet research backs up their story, but the whole things seems pretty ludicrous to me, for a few reasons:

1) having the best tread on the front axle of a FWD car is going to help you in many more situations than just worrying about hydro planing.

2) even if you're buying a set of tires, in a FWD vehicle, the front tires are always going to wear faster, right? So how do you ever rotate a set and get the most life out of it?

Yah, this is bs IMHO. Tire shops want you to buy 4 new tires, period. I've had many FWD cars over the years (growing up in Colorado) and if my two best tires are on the front, everything is fine. That being said, you don't want trash tires on the back (for breaking reasons, the rear tires tend to lock up first in slick conditions, causing the rear end to slide around) and you really need to know how do drive properly in snow and ice conditions.

But yah, one of the reasons FWD cars are SO DARN AFFORDABLE compared to other cars or 4WD vehicles I've owned is because you almost never need to buy 4 new tires at a time (if you don't have the $). You rotate the two best tires on the car to the back axel and you put two new tires on the front.

Super easy, very cheap fix to tires wearing out on FWD car.

[Bugeater]

Side note/question:

Anyone else tried to buy just two tires for a FWD vehicle recently?

I had a car I was driving into the ground recently, that had a flat on one of the rear tires. I tried to purchase just a new front set of tires, as I rarely take this thing on the highway, and almost never drive more than 10 miles at a time (I work from home). I had two tire shops refuse to sell me just a pair of tires and put them on the front axle, because of new recommendations from tire manufacturers to always put the best tread on the rear axle, even in FWD vehicles, to prevent hydro planing.

Anyone else run into this (I had it happen at NTB and a local shop)? Internet research backs up their story, but the whole things seems pretty ludicrous to me, for a few reasons:

1) having the best tread on the front axle of a FWD car is going to help you in many more situations than just worrying about hydro planing.

2) even if you're buying a set of tires, in a FWD vehicle, the front tires are always going to wear faster, right? So how do you ever rotate a set and get the most life out of it?
So have them put them on the back, and then bring the vehicle home and rotate them in your driveway.

[Buehler445]

Side note/question:

Anyone else tried to buy just two tires for a FWD vehicle recently?

I had a car I was driving into the ground recently, that had a flat on one of the rear tires. I tried to purchase just a new front set of tires, as I rarely take this thing on the highway, and almost never drive more than 10 miles at a time (I work from home). I had two tire shops refuse to sell me just a pair of tires and put them on the front axle, because of new recommendations from tire manufacturers to always put the best tread on the rear axle, even in FWD vehicles, to prevent hydro planing.

Anyone else run into this (I had it happen at NTB and a local shop)? Internet research backs up their story, but the whole things seems pretty ludicrous to me, for a few reasons:

1) having the best tread on the front axle of a FWD car is going to help you in many more situations than just worrying about hydro planing.

2) even if you're buying a set of tires, in a FWD vehicle, the front tires are always going to wear faster, right? So how do you ever rotate a set and get the most life out of it?

You are 100% right. You always want the best tread in the front even in a RWD situation. That is the most catestrophic if the tire fails and the front wheels do most of the braking so you need the best rubber in the front.

Tell them to do it your way or you will find someone that will.

[Buehler445]

Yah, this is bs IMHO. Tire shops want you to buy 4 new tires, period. I've had many FWD cars over the years (growing up in Colorado) and if my two best tires are on the front, everything is fine. That being said, you don't want trash tires on the back (for breaking reasons, the rear tires tend to lock up first in slick conditions, causing the rear end to slide around) and you really need to know how do drive properly in snow and ice conditions.

But yah, one of the reasons FWD cars are SO DARN AFFORDABLE compared to other cars or 4WD vehicles I've owned is because you almost never need to buy 4 new tires at a time (if you don't have the $). You rotate the two best tires on the car to the back axel and you put two new tires on the front.

Super easy, very cheap fix to tires wearing out on FWD car.

When I was in college I had absolute rags on the back and I hydroplaned one time in five years, and I got it back pretty quickly. Pretty good tradeoff IMO.

[SAUTO]

Side note/question:

Anyone else tried to buy just two tires for a FWD vehicle recently?

I had a car I was driving into the ground recently, that had a flat on one of the rear tires. I tried to purchase just a new front set of tires, as I rarely take this thing on the highway, and almost never drive more than 10 miles at a time (I work from home). I had two tire shops refuse to sell me just a pair of tires and put them on the front axle, because of new recommendations from tire manufacturers to always put the best tread on the rear axle, even in FWD vehicles, to prevent hydro planing.

Anyone else run into this (I had it happen at NTB and a local shop)? Internet research backs up their story, but the whole things seems pretty ludicrous to me, for a few reasons:

1) having the best tread on the front axle of a FWD car is going to help you in many more situations than just worrying about hydro planing.

2) even if you're buying a set of tires, in a FWD vehicle, the front tires are always going to wear faster, right? So how do you ever rotate a set and get the most life out of it?

personally i think its crazy talk. i understand where they are coming from BUT i would want the better tires on the driving/steering end of a front wheel drive car...

[SAUTO]

BUT if you rotate them consistently you should be pretty close to wearing thee whole set out at the same time...

[duncan_idaho]

Yeah, thought it was silly. I brought them home and rotated them myself.

NTB tried to claim legal liability if they didn't install them that way. I was kind of stuck (late on Sunday), so I went ahead and bought them.

But the whole thing does come across as a scam to sell more tires. Glad I'm not crazy (seems to be the consensus).

[Radar Chief]

Yeah, thought it was silly. I brought them home and rotated them myself.

NTB tried to claim legal liability if they didn't install them that way. I was kind of stuck (late on Sunday), so I went ahead and bought them.

But the whole thing does come across as a scam to sell more tires. Glad I'm not crazy (seems to be the consensus).

Well, at least not on this topic. ;)

[19now11]

my bad. i hate being wrong....guess thats why im an alex supporter. nothing to see here. move along.:banghead:

[ptlyon]

my bad. i hate being wrong....guess thats why im an alex supporter. nothing to see here. move along.:banghead:

You're just somebody that fails at life is all

[19now11]

hey i still have a chance. alex aint in a wheelchair yet. im riding this bitch all the way to the end.

[Radar Chief]

hey i still have a chance. alex aint in a wheelchair yet. im riding this bitch all the way to the end.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wcW_Ygs6hm0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Boise_Chief]

The 265 75 is one inch larger in diameter 31 in as opposed to 30 in. It isn't a great idea.