Thoughts on running different sizes front and rear?

sciroccorrado

A2OC Donor
Folks, thoughts on running 195 45 16 on front and 215 45 16 on rear.

Rolling circumference is only 3‰ different, which if I think correctly is about the difference between brand new and worn tyres.
 
You risk upsetting the traction control, I'm not sure what the %age difference tolerance between wheels is, but it will be more sensitive if you are starting off with different size tyres. I can tell you that 175/65/15 on the rear and 195/55/15 definitely upset it.

A quick calc shows that the difference betwen those is 2.5%
 
I guess it's comparable, but I believe from what I've heard that it would be butting up to the tolerance of the ABS. The difference in diameter is about 18mm. Assuming 7mm new and 3mm worn treads, there's 8mm difference in diameter between a new and worn tyre of either size. So it would work best from an ABS point of view with new fronts and worn rears, but obviously that's not the safest configuration.
 
Well I can tell you what happens and I have experienced this for about 2 months with those tyres. You start the engine pull away and on every corner and roundabout for the first 1/2 mile the traction control comes on - it is very irritating and sometimes a bit dangerous. After that the ECU seems to adapt to the difference and it's ok until the next time you start the engine. (Anyone want a pair of 15" standard wheels with almost new 195/55 tyres? :) )
 
Folks, thoughts on running 195 45 16 on front and 215 45 16 on rear.

Rolling circumference is only 3‰ different, which if I think correctly is about the difference between brand new and worn tyres.
My 1.4 had different sizes front and rear until I changed them.
It drives like a new car now they are all the same size. I'd not recommend having different sizes at all to be honest
 
The A2 is a front wheel drive car. Why would you have wider rear tyres? Insurance is another factor as they might not be happy...
 
The A2 is a front wheel drive car. Why would you have wider rear tyres?
I suspect that the answer to that is "aesthetics". There's several on this forum who prefer looks over any sensible or safe performance.
 
I guess it's comparable, but I believe from what I've heard that it would be butting up to the tolerance of the ABS. The difference in diameter is about 18mm. Assuming 7mm new and 3mm worn treads, there's 8mm difference in diameter between a new and worn tyre of either size. So it would work best from an ABS point of view with new fronts and worn rears, but obviously that's not the safest configuration.

When bought one of my cars just one of the rear tyres was 205 45 17, ever other tyre was 205 40 17 ! The traction control didn’t like roundabouts!


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Your insurers would be extremely unhappy in the event of a claim and would decline to pay. Also you could be in trouble with the police, especially if someone else were involved in a crash.
 
Your insurers would be extremely unhappy in the event of a claim and would decline to pay. Also you could be in trouble with the police, especially if someone else were involved in a crash.

Your insurers would be very happy and would decline to pay...

I very briefly (about 1/4 mile) drove my A2 with approx 5% size difference front to back. Safety systems went nuts and limped pretty brutally every time I went more than a few mph or went around a corner.

I’d advise against it I think.



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