Mixed brands on Front and Rear Axle

x-dreame · #1 10-17-2011, 07:28 PM

Hi folks, this is something I've been wanting to know for quite a while.
Everybody I've asked so far tells me something different.
So here is the question, is it ok to drive for example pirelli tires in the front and toyos in the back. Same size of course, or recommended for staggerd

Whats your opinion?

TriX5 · #2 10-18-2011, 07:58 PM

Same size or correctly staggered is no problem IMO. I do it all the time and make a habit of measuring the distance between the center of the hub and the street to make sure the rolling radius matches front to rear. If there is some deviation I adjust the tire pressure accordingly.

Tools needed are a 6 inch framing straight angle and a wood board 4"x15". Mark one front or rear as a reference on the board then check against the other wheels. Best if your gas tank is half full and no load in the car.

Good luck.

omodos · #3 11-08-2011, 05:03 AM

got maxis up front and michelins at rear....no problems at all

justben · #4 01-27-2012, 03:11 PM

Wouldn't taking the tire off the rim and measuring the diameter be more effective?

justben · #5 01-27-2012, 03:12 PM

I meant taking the wheel and tire off the car, sorry.

TriX5 · #6 01-29-2012, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justben

I meant taking the wheel and tire off the car, sorry.

Nope, what matters is the effective rolling radius when they are on the car and under load.

ECS Tuning · #7 01-27-2012, 03:18 PM

Mixing tire brands will cause your X5's drive train to catastrophically fail.... I'm kidding as long as you are withing tire specs feel free to mix and match tires all you'd like.

ECS Tuning

justben · #8 01-31-2012, 09:48 PM

makes sense. Good stuff.

insite · #9 03-13-2012, 08:59 AM

what is the allowable deviation between front & rear axles? for instance, my X3 has OEM 19's. the tire sizes are 235/45 and 255/40. this makes the front tires about .3" larger diameter than the rears. obviously since this is OEM, .3" is okay.

what if i step up to a 245/45 front? this is now .6" larger than the rears. am i still okay, or will i have issues? specifically, i'm concerned w/ confusing the ABS or burning up the diff / causing F/R torque bias issues.

so what percentage difference front to rear is allowable w/ x-drive & modern bmw electronics? with my proposed .6" difference, i'd be at 2.3%. my guess is that this is negligeble for ABS. i have no idea what the center diff locking ratios are, but i bet they're at least 20% lock.....

TriX5 · #10 04-26-2012, 10:50 PM

why not go for 255/40 all around?

Quote:

Originally Posted by insite

what is the allowable deviation between front & rear axles? for instance, my X3 has OEM 19's. the tire sizes are 235/45 and 255/40. this makes the front tires about .3" larger diameter than the rears. obviously since this is OEM, .3" is okay.

what if i step up to a 245/45 front? this is now .6" larger than the rears. am i still okay, or will i have issues? specifically, i'm concerned w/ confusing the ABS or burning up the diff / causing F/R torque bias issues.

so what percentage difference front to rear is allowable w/ x-drive & modern bmw electronics? with my proposed .6" difference, i'd be at 2.3%. my guess is that this is negligeble for ABS. i have no idea what the center diff locking ratios are, but i bet they're at least 20% lock.....