Is it ok to use smaller tires than the originals size?

Question

My SUV comes with 215/70R16 Bridgestone or Yokomaha tires. But they suffer from aqua-planning. The shops recomended upgrading to 17" rims and tyres, but that is too costly. So the next size with good aqua-thread is 225/60R16 Kumho KH11 tires. Besides the effect of lowering my car by 34mm, what other possible disadvantage will the smaller tires post?

Answer 1

an inaccurate speedometer. a rougher ride.

Answer 2

I would keep shopping around, changing tires can change a number of things in an SUV besides your speedometer. If you completely change the size of your tires you should also have your SUV re-geared for that size of tire, about all you can change is the rim. My advice would be go to a smaller tire shop that sells used rims. They might not be in the style you would like but you can eliminate the aqua-planning problem. Also go on-line and look for the size of tires you want. Of course the shop is going to recommend what will get them more money. If you know the size of tire you want, and who makes it. They can normally order them for you, or you order and have them mount them. Shop around either way, there is always another option.

Answer 3

Your speedometer will be off, the ride will be harsher, and it might not look right. I've heard rumors that it affects the ABS, but I don't expect it to do anything big enough for you to notice.

To cut down on hydroplaning, though, it will really help if you run somewhat narrower tires as long as you can find tires with an adequate load rating. The tires you are looking at are just a little bit wider, which is going in the wrong direction.

Answer 4

Try to find a tire that is a little more narrow but has the same circumference otherwise your speedometer will be out of calibration and it could have an effect on fuel mileage as well as possibly interfering with proper application of your anti-lock brake system in a panic stop situation. Lots of testing and engineering goes into modern vehicles and even slight modifications often have negative trade offs. Instead of changing the size of your tires try switching to another brand of tire with a tread pattern which designed for excellent traction in wet weather.

Answer 5

if the SUV has abs..it will cause the ABS and probably the check engine light to come on..If this is an all time all wheel drive it can actually damage the transmission(its true,and its not covered by warranty}.

If you are looking for good all weather traction try the new tire out by good for a year..lol..its called the Fortera TT..It comes in the tire size that you have..and it has lots of aqua channelling to prevent hydroplaning

http://www.goodyear.ca/goodyeartireselectorca/results_size.jsp?treadwidth=215&aspectratio=70&rimdiameter=16

Answer 6

its going to make the speedometer read a little inaccurate,,also it will use a very tiny more amount of gas,,smaller tires have to turn more to travel the same distance as a bigger one would,,but your just going down a very little,,so you may not notice any difference in it at all,,i own a repair shop,,and i have seen a lot o people go down a size or two,,and it hasn't hurt anything,as far as doing any harm it cant hurt your vehicle any at all,,good luck with it,,i hope this help,s.

Answer 7

your going to rack up excessive miles by using that much of a smaller tire have you looked on line for aqua tires in the size your SUV has I bet theyre out there. try 1010tire.com they even have a tire size calculator that compairs the sizes for you and shows you how much difference youll get

Answer 8

Poor man's acceleration booster!

Answer 9

will mess with your spedometer, there is a website somewhere just search on yahoo and it will tell you the difference it will make to your car

Answer 10

Yes but it throws your speedometor off.