I have 25k on the OEM Goodyear Wranglers, and yesterday hit a curb and put an unrepairable hole in sidewall of a front tire. The Goodyears are expensive to replace and no one gives them a good rating. So... is it OK to run a different (better) tire on one wheel, until the other three need replacing? Same P215/70R16 size of course. I can live with slightly different feel, just dont want to screw anything up.

Any recommendations on a complete new all-season or summer set? Thanks!

Literally hundreds of posts here with a variety of recommendations. See the Tires and Wheels section.

Why not replace all four at once? By the time you replace the other three, the first one could be worn, and you'll miss out on that great "new tires" feeling.

There are too many variables in tire sizes. You cant do that without doing lots of research. You need to know the rolling diameter of the front tire you are going to replace, and the roiling diameter of the new tire. They need to be within 1 or 2% of each-other. I would just get 4 new tires, or one the same as the other 3 that you have now.

I would do atleast, front or rear. If you only replace two then I would stay with the stock size. Unless you replace the front two and go smaller. You could have that old 70's look.

Ross, good luck, there are few tires that fit the stock size. GY, Yokohama, Michelin, Goodrich. Go to a 225/70x16 for more choices. 235/70x16 will also fit in many applications; others have posted that if you have an aggressive tread, like an all-terrain, it could rub. If you go that size, make sure your tire dealer will swap them out if they rub.

You can also go a bit wider to a 235/60x16. I will be putting these on my Element once the GY tires are worn out (currently at 4/32") . I am lookng at the Falken Ziex 512 or the S-TZ/04 which was made for trucks/suv and has more tread (starts with 12/32 instead of 10/32 for the 512.) Hoping for quieter ride and a bit better handling.

I agree with the other posts: replace them all the stock tires are bad

Tirerack.com lists 27 models in the 215/70/16 size, and 31 in the 225/70/16. While in the past selection favored moving up a notch in size, it doesn't matter so much now.

It is best to replace all 4 with the same size and model. Replacing just 2 (both front or both back) is next best. Buy a used tire, or pair, is also an option.

It is best if all 4 tires have the same diameter. There are slight differences in diameter between different models, even if the nominal size is the same. Tires also change in diameter with wear.

Based on reasoning about how the awd system works, if I had to use different size tires front and back, I'd put the larger ones on the front. That way there would be less chance of the AWD activating, because the front ones would normally spin a bit slower than the rear ones. I wouldn't recommend this when dealing with different sizes, but it would be way to go if you get only 2 new tires.

paulj

So after a bunch of research around I'm looking at the Yokohama Geolander H/T-S G051's, replacing all four.

Next question is size, I can get the 215/70 R16's or go up to 225/70 R16's. Going up means odometer reads a touch slow, but how is real mileage affected? I assume mileage may be a big less for city, takes more to get larger diameter up to speed, but better mileage on highway, as larger diameter carries more inertia? Any distinct advantages / disadvantages to moving up a notch in size? Thanks!

There isn't enough consistency in the various gas mileage reports to predict what will happen if you change tire size. We have different driving styles, different mixes of city and highway driving, different weather, etc.

A 2% change in diameter changes gearing a bit, but it also changes ground clearance and over all height (by 1/4"). The tires you choose may also make a difference. The Wranglers have a relatively narrow tread (relative to section width), which may make them more efficient than most replacements.

paulj

Ross, the Geolanders are good tires and priced well. I have them on a Dakota pickup and have used other Yoko tires on other vehicles.

Going to a 225 tire will not make a huge difference; PaulJ's comments are very helpful formaking your evaluation. He has posted a lot of solid info about tires and changing sizes on several threads.

There are also calculators online that allow you to put in both tire sizes and it will tell you the differences in dimensions.

Good luck

I ended up with the 215/70 R16 Geolander 051's. Will be seeing 3" of snow here in RI this afternoon, and I'm driving up to Boston in it, so will report back!