Can You Change Tire Size On The Same Rim?

Robert Herrera-COR-Wheels

By Robert Herrera

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In most cases, you should stick to the tire sizes given by the manufacturer, as they are all the result of careful calculation. However, there are many reasons for car owners to want to resize it on the rim in use.

But is that possible and safe? Let’s find the answer together.

How Does The Right Size Tire Affect Your Ride?

Tires are the only part that is in direct contact with the road surface and has the role of supporting the weight of the vehicle. Therefore, their rate of wear and replacement is often faster than other parts and components.

They have the function of absorbing road shocks and traction control to help the vehicle move more flexibly. Besides, maintaining a stable tire pressure also helps to support the vehicle’s load, protecting the wheels from bumps and damage.

To perform these functions best, manufacturers must carefully calculate the specifications to produce the current tires that are best suited for each vehicle model.

Can You Put Different Size Tires On The Same Rim?

Wheel size directly affects your vehicle’s performance. However, if you don’t like the current look, it’s too rare, doesn’t suit your driving style, etc., you can think about putting a wider tire on the original rim.

Each car owner has a unique requirement for the size of the wheel, so you can freely choose the height and width of the tire depending on the purpose of use, road terrain, or preferences.

The key point here is the inner diameter; as long as it and the rim sizes are compatible, you can do it. 

Advantages Of Changing Tire Width

  • Increased traction: Larger tire has a larger road contact area. This helps increase grip and traction for the car, making smoother rides (except when traveling on snowy or wet roads).
  • Improved steering angle: Wider tire has stiffer sidewalls, wider spikes, and more contact. These attributes facilitate better handling and cornering handling.
  • Improved braking: Different-sized tires will give a different braking distance. Wider ones can help shorten the distance traveled due to inertia before stopping.
  • Change the vehicle’s appearance: They affect the vehicle’s overall design. Replacing old and low-profile tires makes the car look sportier, more dynamic, and more youthful.

Risk When Using Different Size Tires For Rim

Different Size Tires For Rim

Most car parts work fine in normal conditions, but it’s only in the rough minutes that we see the difference between them.

Choosing a tire unsuitable for the overall size will cause it to touch the fender during sharp turns or touch many other details on the vehicle, causing damage. Large ones mean the car has to carry more heavy loads.

The increased aspect ratio of the wheel in both diameter and width will easily distort all the parameters of the speedometer that the tire manufacturer has calculated. Sometimes, this can lead to a speed violation without the owner’s knowledge.

Other disadvantages include causing the car to be inert when accelerating, the rear grips causing side wear, or even rubbing directly on the chain, causing the chain to slip very dangerously when the car is running fast.

Theoretically, it is true that the larger the tire, the greater the contact area with the road, but not the bigger, the better without any rules.

Some owners are crazy about “giant wheels“, making their cars look ugly and unsightly. They also consume more fuel than usual.

Notes When Changing Dimension Tire For Your Rim 

For the above reasons, many engineers do not encourage users to adjust the tires compared to the original size arbitrarily. This ensures proper spacing between the tire and the chain to prevent deviations from the standard design.

However, if you are still sure of your decision, consider the following factors:

Inner Tire Diameter

If you want to resize the tires and keep the old rims, ensure their outer edges fit the rim width range. In addition, there are several other parameters, so the factor that needs to be accurately determined is the tire’s dimensions.

Each tire is engraved with its technical parameters for easy identification by users, of which the three most important parameters are width, height, and glass. For example, you see the words P285/45R17, which means:

  • P – Use for Passenger car (LT: Light Truck; ST: Special Trailer, etc.)
  • 285 – The width (mm)
  • 45 – The ratio of tire width to sidewall height (%)
  • R – Radial structure
  • 17 – The Rim Diameter  

These can be tedious for the non-technical person, so you can consult professional repairers.

Wheel Well Distance

Ensure the new tires have enough room to turn, especially when turning or riding on rough terrain. Tire clearance in wheel diameter is very important, so you must ensure they don’t bump or rub against the frame, brakes, or shock absorbers.

Conclusion

Above is information about increasing tire size compared to fixed rim. You can change it, but you must carefully consider the factors before deciding to ensure safety.

If you have any other questions, please leave a comment below. Thanks for reading.


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Robert Herrera

President & Automotive Expert at COR Wheels

Robert Herrera has been with COR Wheels for 17 years and has a great passion for the automotive industry. During his time at COR Wheels, he has driven and test-driven a variety of vehicles.


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