A short drive on....

recycled sixtie · recycled sixtie's Garage

different size rear tires and wheels? It started with the cold weather and a leak in a rear blizzak tire on the Boxster. I ended up driving for a short distance on a flat tire.
Tire shop says I have destroyed the flat tire but little damage to the rim.

I have temporarily replaced the snow tire with a 17 inch rim with an all season tire on it. To make it symmetrical I tried to replace the other 16 inch rim/ snow tire with the 17 inch wheel with a/s . However the security key/socket from the tool kit split trying to get the security bolt off.

Now I want to put on 2 new snow tires on the rear but is it okay to drive to my indy shop to get the work done? Is it okay to drive the 10 miles to my indy shop with different back wheel sizes and different tires? I am assuming it is because after all the spare tire is mini compared to the regular tire. Does the differential compensate for this assymetry? Just want to be on the safe side...thanks in advance.

oldE · 12-09-2013, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

different size rear tires and wheels? Does the differential compensate for this assymetry? Just want to be on the safe side...thanks in advance.

Yes. The effect if there is a difference in circumference will be like driving around a large circle.
Be careful. I would expect some complaints from traction/skid control too, if your car has these systems.

Best
Les

rick-l · 12-09-2013, 05:35 AM

need to know what kind of a car and what differential.

recycled sixtie · recycled sixtie's Garage

It is a 2001 Boxster base. It has abs brakes but no PSM.I am going to buy a breaker bar and new security key socket to remove the security bolt and put the a/s tire/17 inch rim on to make it symmetrical. Then I will remove all the idiotic security bolts and replace them with regular lug bolts.

I really don't want to drive 10 miles to my indy shop on assymetrical wheels/ tires unless I really have to...

Thanks all....

Why would this be any different than driving with the mini spare for a short distance?

oldE · 12-09-2013, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

Why would this be any different than driving with the mini spare for a short distance?

No difference at all. Probably less of a differential requirement.

Best
Les

recycled sixtie · recycled sixtie's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldE

No difference at all. Probably less of a differential requirement.

Best
Les

Thanks Les!
Cheers, Guy