Many auto owners report that at some point, they have put on different-sized tires on their car at times as a result of an emergency repair, a spare tyre fit, or just a simple mistake. What may at first seem to be of no consequence, mixed tyre sizes play a large role in how your car performs and in its safety, and also in whether it is legal. At Sand Dance Tyre, we are a resource we turn to for advice on the issues related to tire size choice, which we give to our customers to keep their cars safe and roadworthy.
Read More: Performance Sanddance Tyres – What Drivers Can Expect
Understanding Mixed Tyre Sizes and Their Impact
Tyres are built to work with what is around your car’s suspension, brakes, and drivetrain. When you put on a tyre size mismatch, you break this balance, which in turn can cause issues such as poor handling and inaccurate speed readings.
A different-sized tyre will change how your car performs on the road, how it turns into a corner, and also how it brakes. Out of a set of tires that are supposed to be the same, what you may find is that performance suffers in some areas. At the same time, in other regions, the car may handle too much or not enough. The car’s behavior will change very noticeably, which in turn may put you at risk of an accident at high speed.
The Problem with Speedometer Accuracy
In many cases, the issue of mixed tyre sizes is that they cause an MPH error in the reported speed, which your speedo shows is based on the stock tire size that the car was built with. When you put on different-sized tires, the wheel will rotate at a different rate, which in turn gives you inaccurate speed readings.
In a large tyre, your speed will cover a greater distance per rotation, which in turn may report to you a lower speed on the speedometer than what you are going. This may put you at risk of getting speeding tickets or bad driving without you knowing. On the other hand, with small tyres, your speed will be reported higher, which in turn affects fuel efficiency and trip planning.
Handling and Stability Concerns
Vehicle manufacturers design out suspension geometry and traction control for specific tyre sizes. With mixed tyre sizes, the car’s weight distribution and grip will be off, which in turn causes handling issues.
In certain wet or sandy UAE environments, this handling imbalance is a particular issue. Also, in these conditions, advanced safety features like ABS and ESC may fail to perform as they are designed to do because they depend on accurate wheel speed info, which improper tires will distort.
The Spare Tyre Situation
Many people think that it is ok to use a different-sized temporary spare for long trips, which in fact is a risk. Though a spare tyre fit is for short-term use only, it should be switched out for the right size as soon as you can. Going on long-distance trips with a tyre size mismatch in even just one of your wheels puts extra stress on your drivetrain and suspension.
If you do a spare tyre fit that is not an exact match, your car’s performance will be different, and features that depend on All Wheel Drive may see mechanical stress from the other size.
Why Matching Tyres Matters in the UAE
In the UAE, which has very high temperatures and very hot summer driving conditions, tyre safety is a great issue. Also, when you have different tires, the heat they produce may vary from axle to axle, which in turn increases the chance of uneven wear out and, in some cases, blowouts. This is a large issue in the summer when road surface temperatures can hit very high levels.
At Sand Dance Tyre, we notice that many of the issues we see are a result of mixed tyre sizes. While it may appear that your car is performing normally with a mix of tires, in reality, you are putting unnecessary stress on the mechanical components, which in the end results in expensive repairs.
Mixed Tyre Sizes – Expert Advice from Sand Dance Tyre
If you have different-sized tires, go ahead and replace them with the right size as soon as you can. In the rare case that a short-term fit is necessary — for example, using a temporary spare — drive at a reduced speed, avoid long trips, and get that tire changed as soon as you are able.
Our team at Sand Dance Tyre will do a check of your present tyre sizes, we’ll assess what is compatible, and we will also perform professional fitment for you. We have a wide variety of tires in UAE-approved sizes, which also means we are ensuring your vehicle’s safety and that it is in full compliance with manufacturers’ specs.
Driving on the correct tyre sizes, which in turn improves safety, also boosts fuel efficiency, extends tyre life, and preserves the accuracy of your speedometer.
FAQs
Q1: May I have different-sized tires in the front and back of my car?
Some top performance cars are fitted with staggered tyre setups, but these must be a factory-approved set for safety and handling.
Q2: For how long will my car run on a different-sized spare tire?
For short distances and at reduced speeds until you replace it with the right size.
Q3: Does improper tire sizing affect fuel economy?
Yes, mixed tyre sizes increase rolling resistance and lower fuel efficiency.
