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Yesterday the Tire Barn installed the 175/55s on the front on the original OEM wheels, this saved me from purchsing new wheels for the front. I drove around I-465 and down to Edinburg, I was pleasantly surprised the difference it makes in the way the car handles and rides. It seems to hold the road better then it did. I now have the two tires I took off the front and will use one for spare as soon as I get a wheel for it and sell the other tire.
If I can just get the engine noise down a little I will be a happy camper, maybe the wife will even ride in it LOL.
And that brings me to my question, At this time of year, if your changing tires I would either be going for snows or keeping the narrow to help with the snow. Unless you think it won't show in Indi this year, then you made a safe choice.
Seems a little dangerous to be putting a near 7 inch wide tire on a 4.5inch wide wheel. I am surprised a shop would do that, many shops will not put anything other than stock size on a stock wheel.
I will keep the smart at home if the snow gets too deep, but I don't think that a 1 in difference in tire width would make that much difference in most snows around Indy. I would think the wider foot print would be an advantage in driving on slick roads.
I have heard a lot about over steer and under steer to justify the OEM setup on tires on the smart, but I wonder if the smaller tires on the front, may also of had to do with the car not having power steering at one time?
... I have heard a lot about over steer and under steer to justify the OEM setup on tires on the smart, but I wonder if the smaller tires on the front, may also of had to do with the car not having power steering at one time?
Nope, just the result of a LOT of effort by M-B to make a safe handling car. Most smarts never had, nor do now, have power steering - an option only.
Jordon, I read that many have done it without issues.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jordon
Seems a little dangerous to be putting a near 7 inch wide tire on a 4.inch wide wheel. I am surprised a shop would do that, many shops will not put anything other than stock size on a stock wheel.
I read a few post where others had put the same size on the front OEM rims, the tire guys did not seem to have an issue with it.
Taking a second look at the OP’s premise, I might comment again. Mounting a tire on a rim that has less width than specified by the tire manufacturer can lead to problems. No, you are not likely to actually “roll” a tire, but you can break the bead-seat at the very worst time – in a tight, fast turn. Added, a front tire width that is not specified as balancing the specified rears.
There is danger in amateur (automotive) engineering following “what’s in style.” This a case of going beyond really expert engineering (Continental’s/ M-B’s) in two cases – using a too-narrow rim, and a front tire not specified for use with the same size rears.
It reminds me of the OP’s avatar – a case of outside influence over-ruling common sense - a weak ship hoping for a redeeming mission and hoping to survive it.
N.B. We no longer have a Naval combat salvage force.
Last edited by Old smart; 10-13-2009 at 03:54 PM..
Reason: punct.
but I don.t think that a 175/15-55 on the front OEM rim is that far out of spec. I would not go any bigger, quite frankly just looking at the tire on the rim compared to the rear, I don't see much difference in the overlap.
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