Mixing tire sizes 225/65/17 and 235/65/17

[Desert Bronco.]

Just wondering if I can run a 235/65/17 in either in front or the rear and run the stock 225/65/17 without hurting the rear end on my badlands? I ran over a bottle and more than likely slashed the tire and the current spare tire was patched by running over a larger metal object, but not holding air for more than a few days. I’m not a big fan of the Pirelli Scorpions ATR and they have no road hazard guarantee so I'm replacing all four tires. I was planning on doing two at a time. Is this okay to do, considering the tires are only a year old white 23,000 miles and at this point it’s an emergency purchase that I wasn’t planning on taking care of until the Scorpions wore out.

I was planning on getting the Falken AT terrains to replace the Scorpions. I noticed the country of origin for the OEM Pirelli Scorpions ATR is China And through my own neglect and less then stellar driving accidents these tires have failed me..

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[Mark S.]

I always go to the manual for questions like this.

In four-wheel drive vehicles, the size of the
spare tire relative to the remaining tires can
have an effect on the four-wheel drive
system. If there is a significant difference
between the size of a spare and the
remaining tires, four-wheel drive
functionality could be limited or disabled.

Note: The spare tire is only intended to be
used in emergency situations. Replace the
road wheel as soon as possible as extended
use of a spare wheel can result in vehicle
wear. Ensure all four tires are matching in
manufacturer, size, and wear.

 

[Meanderthal]

The short answer to your question is, yes. You should not run different tire sizes for any length of time. Usually with these AWD systems the limit to differences in diameter are a couple of 32nds of an inch. So if you have a relatively worn set of tires and one gets damaged, you have two options. The first is to replace all 4 with a new set. The second is to buy one new tire and have it "shaved" down to size.

It is a bit of a financial burden, but in the long run the best answer is replacing all 4.

 

[Desert Bronco.]

The short answer to your question is, yes. You should not run different tire sizes for any length of time. Usually with these AWD systems the limit to differences in diameter are a couple of 32nds of an inch. So if you have a relatively worn set of tires and one gets damaged, you have two options. The first is to replace all 4 with a new set. The second is to buy one new tire and have it "shaved" down to size.

It is a bit of a financial burden, but in the long run the best answer is replacing all 4.

The ford Bronco Sport is a front wheel bias vehicle. Assuming I’m going up from 225 to a 235 size and don’t intend to run the GOAT mode in an all wheel drive mode and I stay on dry pavement I’m not sure if this would be detrimental over 1,000 or 2,000 miles? Until I can pay for the other 2 tires and complete the set of four.

That said would I need to replace the spare to the 235 size instead of keeping and potentially needing to install the spare incase of an emergency?

 

[Glamdring70]

A bunch of tire places do a "buy three, get one" or "buy four and get $$". If you need to buy two, buy three and get the fourth? If they don't offer it right now, they probably will by the Spring when people start re-shoeing their vehicles.

Another option, buy used tires that are closer, but that won't actually save money in the long run.

Watch here and on the Bronco Sport Faceplace groups for people that have take-off wheels and tires. New tires is something people do all the time and they love to sell the old set. Advertise that you're a buyer.

 

[Discount Tire]

@Desert Bronco.

The standard recommendation on a front wheel, all wheel drive select, is to install the new tires on the rear to reduce oversteer in the vehicle. If your intention is to go one size bigger and not use the 4x4 option, then you should be ok till the other two can be replaced. As long as tires match side to side. The spare in the same situation would be for temporary use only, but having the same size would be recommended.

 

[Desert Bronco.]

I noticed that Costco was doing a $150 rebate on BF Goodrich tires. So I priced out a set of Falken Wildpeaks AT Terrains at $789 with tax at tire rack. Installed I’m looking at $900+. From everything I can tell they are a better all season, general use of road tire than the BF Goodrich Trail Terain. Money is a factor and I’m quite disappointed in the OEM Pirelli Scorpions ATR on my Badlands I seem to have a knack for destroying them and there’s no road hazard warranty. That would have meant three tires replaced under warranty.

so even though I would prefer the Falken AT3 terrains, I might have to settle for the Bf Goodrich Trail Terrains due to financial circumstances.If the difference in price is under $125 then that makes the decision tougher?

 

[Meanderthal]

The ford Bronco Sport is a front wheel bias vehicle. Assuming I’m going up from 225 to a 235 size and don’t intend to run the GOAT mode in an all wheel drive mode and I stay on dry pavement I’m not sure if this would be detrimental over 1,000 or 2,000 miles? Until I can pay for the other 2 tires and complete the set of four.

That said would I need to replace the spare to the 235 size instead of keeping and potentially needing to install the spare incase of an emergency?

It is FWD bias, but that does not mean that the rear wheels will not engage. I think the real issue is with just one tire being a different size. If two tires are of a different size but on the same axle, as you have suggested, it should be less of an issue. With them on the same axle, each wheel will rotate at a different speed and then that spins the clutch disks a little different and then the clutches in the differential get worn prematurely. You have to think about these differentials that get engaged and disengaged.

 

[Desert Bronco.]

It would just be temporary until I get the funds. Way too many bills and a $700 a month Bronco sport payment, insurance and gas, etc. I wouldn’t be taking the vehicle off road with the mismatched staggered size dimensions, so no need to me worry about premature wear on the Dana dual vector rear clutch. Perhaps it would be less advisable if I was jumping up to 245/65/17…

currently in line at Costco to get out the door pricing on a set of 4 tires.

 

[Glamdring70]

I noticed that Costco was doing a $150 rebate on BF Goodrich tires. So I priced out a set of Falken Wildpeaks AT Terrains at $789 with tax at tire rack. Installed I’m looking at $900+. From everything I can tell they are a better all season, general use of road tire than the BF Goodrich Trail Terain. Money is a factor and I’m quite disappointed in the OEM Pirelli Scorpions ATR on my Badlands I seem to have a knack for destroying them and there’s no road hazard warranty. That would have meant three tires replaced under warranty.

so even though I would prefer the Falken AT3 terrains, I might have to settle for the Bf Goodrich Trail Terrains due to financial circumstances.If the difference in price is under $125 then that makes the decision tougher?

Watch out with Costco. They are really persnickety about tire installations and won't install stuff they think are off-size. But I do like the free rotations and reasonable install prices if you can get them to do it. Do you want an A/T replacement? Discount Tire has Wildpeaks showing me installed for $780. Tires are $680 on their site and eBay store and you could probably get Costco to install if you wanted the Costco advantages of install.

The current offer is only through today (heck, it could renew tomorrow) but your local Ford dealer will absolutely price match tire prices, and you can earn Ford points (or use your points if you still have them). If you have the 42,000 points from vehicle purchase, that's $200 toward the tires. They sell more than OEM tires too.

Did you look for local used tire sellers or salvage yards?

 

[Mark S.]

The current offer is only through today (heck, it could renew tomorrow) but your local Ford dealer will absolutely price match tire prices, and you can earn Ford points (or use your points if you still have them).

I think if you send him a PM via this site he'll get an email notification.

 

[Desert Bronco.]

Watch out with Costco. They are really persnickety about tire installations and won't install stuff they think are off-size. But I do like the free rotations and reasonable install prices if you can get them to do it. Do you want an A/T replacement? Discount Tire has Wildpeaks showing me installed for $780. Tires are $680 on their site and eBay store and you could probably get Costco to install if you wanted the Costco advantages of install.

The current offer is only through today (heck, it could renew tomorrow) but your local Ford dealer will absolutely price match tire prices, and you can earn Ford points (or use your points if you still have them). If you have the 42,000 points from vehicle purchase, that's $200 toward the tires. They sell more than OEM tires too.

Did you look for local used tire sellers or salvage yards?

Thanks. I went over to Costco today and today is the last day of the $150 off. I spoke to the tire manager john and he said that the full price of $815 for the set of 4 needed to be paid for in full. He did say that he could honor the price past today for a few weeks. I’m pretty sure if I asked tomorrow the answer would have been different, but the sale was still on as of today. Plus they didn’t have the tires in stock and I’m looking at 5-7 business days.

Tire rack offers a 2 year replacement road hazard while Costco is a 5 year prorated warranty. I prefer Costco road Hazard, while Tire rack will reimburse you $40 per incident, but it sounds like more of a hassle and the road hazard is you pay then make a claim, so not as enticing. The Bf Goodrich Trail terrain TA had a 60 day satisfaction warranty. Between the BFG trail terrain AT and the Falken Wildpeak AT Trail I prefer the Falkens, but the free rotation and free tire repair and somewhat good Road hazard makes it an easier decision for the BFG.

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