what would happen if... (rears on front)

[holliwud]

thank you very much guys.... i greatly appreciate it

[JimDantin]

fortwo -- Thanks for the detailed info on the 195/50's in front. Nice to know I can just go 195/50 all around.

Have you tried to make your car skid in a parking lot or other safe location? I'm interested in how it reacts. When the stability control kicks in, it's a bit unnerving at first. I have 195/50 in the rear and 175/55 in front. I'm playing around with tire pressures to find the best ride/handling setup.

[Bill Marshall]

Originally Posted by fortow

The skinny front tires were spec'd to make the car understeer. MB was concerned that with this rear engine, rear wheel drive, short wheelbased car, that snap oversteer under emergency conditions or on slippery roads perhaps would be a problem for inexperienced drivers. With the rear negative camber and Electronic Stability Control oversteer is almost impossible. There are many people who have symmetrical sized tires front and rear.

Can you give us a link to MB stating this?

[rfernatt]

I'm also running 195/50s on Rial 15x6 wheels all the way around - it's a very good setup for this car with many positive benefits (look, ride quality, stability, ability to rotate, etc.). I just rotated mine for the first time this past weekend after 6K miles and they still look new.

I doubt MB would ever acknowledge that running a different size wheel/tire is acceptable - too much liability. But, previous discussions of the MB A-class and the original smart included concerns about oversteer. Although it is logical, I don't know if there is any specific published documentation that can verify that as fact.

[Smartdavis]

Any issues with manual versus power steering if you go this route?

[jimvw57]

If you put larger tires on the front... won't that be like driving uphill all the time???? (sorry, couldn't resist)

[theguywiththelongestname]

...are there any speedometer/odometer effects from running 4-rears-sized wheels/tires all-around?

...any braking issues?

[Godfather]

Speedo no, braking/ride/handling far better.

[rfernatt]

Originally Posted by Smartdavis

Any issues with manual versus power steering if you go this route?

I have manual steering with 195/50s (wider than stock) and didn't notice any significant difference in steering effort. Overall diameter, however, is basically the same as the OEM rear tire.

Originally Posted by theguywiththelongestname

...are there any speedometer/odometer effects from running 4-rears-sized wheels/tires all-around?

...any braking issues?

Another vote for no detectable speedometer/odometer changes (still reads about 2 mph fast on the speedo according to GPS/Scangauge) and braking/cornering/ride quality are all improved.

Any difference in MPG is undetectable and being able to rotate wheels/tires is great.

I have not found a downside to this setup other than the cost to swap out wheels/tires.

[fpage77]

Originally Posted by Suze

but, but, but.... why did smart put different size on the front?

I think the wider rear tires is for stability. I just got through reading "The Little Book of Smart" this weekend and I remember them mentioning adding wider rear wheels in regards to something for stability. I can't remember exactly what it said but it was something to make it safer.