mixing tyre size

hi all is it ok to mix tyre sizes on my rr c ie 205 on front 235 on the back and would it hinder off roading abulitys
regards simon

i think it can knacker your g/box. i was told it could on the p38

Biggest problem comes when you lock the diff as both props will be attempting to turn at the same speed and one axle will be trying to turn faster then the other due to the difference in tyre sizes.

yep what he said!

thanks guys its a real pain went out to fix bumper today and notice the front tyre 205r16 colway mt has got a split going half way round the tyre right in the middle of the tred and cant get any part warn the same round here at all but had so 2x 235 colways was gunna swop them about but wont now dont want to bugger up gearbox thanks all regards simon

You will also probably get a "Traction Control Fault" as the axles will turn at different speeds which buggers up the ABS and TC.

simon64 said:

hi all is it ok to mix tyre sizes on my rr c ie 205 on front 235 on the back and would it hinder off roading abulitys
regards simon

Click to expand...

As long as the tyres are the same diameter it does not matter how wide they are. Personally i would fit all same width.

Useful size comparison site here, look about 1/4 of the way down on page 2. Car Bibles : The Wheel and Tyre Bible Page 1 of 2


There was a thread a long time ago on another forum with a chap reporting very strange handling with a P38. Turned out to be different sized tyres on the front & back winding up the transmission & then releasing while being driven. Changing one pair so they were all the same solved it. Still don't understand how he didn't break anything.

Plod might have a view on different sized tyres!

if the 235 tyres are a 70% profile ie 235/70x16 then they will be the same rolling radius as the 205x16. the only difference is that the 235 tyre is 30mm wider. while this is not a problem as sutch, it is preferable to fit the same size all round. if you do fit the 235 tyres then they would need to be fitted to the rear of the vehicle. be aware that a 235/85x16 is a whole lot bigger and not suitable.