Can you put 2 low-profile tires and 2 normal-profile tires on the same car (2 on front, 2 on back) without problems?

I have a '99 Pontiac Grand Am that came with 4 low profile tires (P225/16R), and we have kept it in them for the time we've owned it, even though these tires aren't usually in stock anywhere, and cost as much as the tires on my 4 wheel drive SUV. One of the front tires is bad now, and I'm considering getting 2 normal-profile tires to put on the front, while leaving the low-profile (and full of tread) tires on the back.Is this okay? Any safety or handling problems?

I don't care about name brands either...I'm just trying to keep the car in good tires for the best price. Asked by Frae 48 months ago Similar questions: put low profile tires normal profile car front back problems Transportation > Automotive.

Similar questions: put low profile tires normal profile car front back problems.

Not recommended According to Tire Rack, the specification for your car is a 225/50-R16. That would not really be considered a low profile tire; for those we're talking about a tire with an aspect ratio of less than 50. This, in turn, would require an aftermarket rim, say, 17 or 18.

On a 17-in rim, the equivalent tire would be 225/45-R17. The width is the same, but the profile is lower, resulting in approximately the same overall diameter. Now, there are lots of different sizes that will fit a 16-inch rim.To get an equivalent diameter tire in a narrower width, you'd need to go to a higher aspect ratio, e.g. , 215/55 R-16, or 205/60 R-16.

However, that isn't recommended for your car. The front wheels on a Grand Am both steer the car and drive it. Going to a narrower tire just because you can find one at a lower price is not a good idea; you will have more wheelspin, especially on wet pavement, and the car would not handle or brake as well.

Using the same reference, Tire Rack, they don't recommend an optional size, either up or down, for your stock rims. I can't recommend it, either, and neither should any reputable dealer you'd buy the tires from. You can find a good selection of tires, ranging in price from $61 to $95/tire in the correct size for your vehicle from Tire Rack.

Here is a link: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compare1.jsp?filterType=bestseller&width=225%2F&ratio=50&diameter=16&autoYear=1999&diameter=16&sortCode=45750&minLoad=S&ratio=50&autoMake=Pontiac&autoModClar=&minSpeedRating=S&width=225%2F&;autoModel=Grand+Am+GT+Sedan&filterType=bestseller&vehicleSearch=true&startIndex=0&search=true&pagelen=20&pagenum=1&pagemark=1&speed_rating=S&speed_rating=T&speed_rating=U&speed_rating=H&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=W&speed_rating=Y&speed_rating=(Y)&RunFlat=All to the most popular sellers for your vehicle. I can recommend this merchant very highly. I've been buying tires from them for years.

They ship the same day the order is received, and they will provide you with a list of local installers - e.g. , most Firestone franchises - who will mount them for you. You'll get a very good price from them, compared to what a tire store will charge, and you save on sales tax unless you live in Indiana (they are in South Bend). You can expect to pay around $20/tire to have them mounted on your rims.

If, however, you buy the rims from Tire Rack, they'll mount the tires at no charge. I saved quite a bit of money on my snow tires this way; I just bought 4 steel rims from them, and they came mounted and spin balanced the next day! Sources: Tire Rack .

Mismatched tires will confuse your ABS system. Your Anti lock brakes compare the rotation speed of all 4 of your wheels to decide whether you are in a skid or not. If your car was intended to have different front tires than back tires, it would be critical to have the tires the same size as specified by the factory.

If all 4 tires are to be matching sized, there is more leeway, but you need to keep all 4 tires the same size (as each other) or your ABS system may think your car is skidding when it is not. I would say your best option if you are thinking of going to a more economical tire is to check with your tire dealer on getting a size that will fit your wheels and be reasonably close to the same size, at a better price, and change all 4 over at once; or buy a set of new wheels and tires, to get a better deal. Summary: if your car takes the same tires front and back, then you can change the style of all four tires, within reason (they still have to fit in the wheelwells) without too much trouble.

However having front tires of a different size than the back tires, will make your anti-lock brakes have trouble. This qualifies as a safety problem and a handling problem.

Yes and no, but mostly no. Yes you can mix/match low profile and stand profile tires on a car provided that the resulting outside diameter of the tire and wheel is the same. In your situation, this is not the case as you will have to mount a different size tire onto the the same wheel.

This would result in different sized wheels/tires and it could adversely effect your car's ride, handling, and possibly throw off the speedometer and odometer which could be illegal where you live. While you didn't ask for general advice, I would offer that it is best to replace all four tires at the same time. There is no unimportant tire on a car.

Even on a front wheel drive car, the back wheels must maintain their traction so you won't lose control. If you don't want the low profile size tires, see a local tire shop or one of the many online tire sites for a wheel and tire combination that will fit your Pontiac. You will have many options to choose from.

Good luck.

Not a super idea Not a great idea. The car will be sitting a bit cattywompus. But then in the 60's guys used to put HUGE tires on the back and jack the rear suspension up too.So the change is likely to be slight.

1 I forgot to mention that you shouldn't consider putting a tire with a higher profile, e.g. , 225/60 R16 on the car at all. You won't have clearance in the wheel wells.

I forgot to mention that you shouldn't consider putting a tire with a higher profile, e.g. , 225/60 R16 on the car at all. You won't have clearance in the wheel wells.

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" "I have a 2001 Chevy Cavalier with 195/70/15 tires. Someone is trying to tell me I can put 215/70/15's on the front.

(front wheel drive car) Thought it was oppsite.

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My car has started making a new noise - a sort of humming. I think it's coming from one of the front tires, but the.

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I have a 2001 Chevy Cavalier with 195/70/15 tires. Someone is trying to tell me I can put 215/70/15's on the front.

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