Topic: 17" tires on 16" rims and vice versa

[Deborah]

Hi.  I need some opinions.  I have a 2005 Toyota 4Runner.  I also have a 1997 Toyota 4Runner.  Bolt patterns are the same so thats not a problem.
The older truck has 16" rims, with appropriate tires.  The newer truck has 17" rims, with appropriate tires. 
I am considering getting rid of the '05 and getting something else. 
Today I asked the guy at the service desk, as well as one of the service guys, if its possible to put my snow tires that are currently on the 17" rims on the 16" rims?  They said yes, they think so (not 100% sure but they think so).
Also, they said that I can probably put the tires from the 16" rims on my new chrome rims that are 17".
This doesn't make any sense to me.  Don't the tires have to fit the rims?   
My spouse totally disagrees with what Toyota told me today and thinks maybe they didn't understand my questions (but they understood, I'm sure of it).
Thanks!

[tpl]

Tire have to go on the right sized rims.  The service desk person should be fired for telling a customer that.


Tires that are too small will be destroyed by stretching the tire bead over the bigger rim.

Tires that are too big will not seat on the small rim and may will come off.

The shape of the bead of the tire and the inside edge of the wheel rim are very carefully designed and sized so that the tire will stay in place held just by air pressure.

[ovr50]

Hi.  I need some opinions.  I have a 2005 Toyota 4Runner.  I also have a 1997 Toyota 4Runner.  Bolt patterns are the same so thats not a problem.
The older truck has 16" rims, with appropriate tires.  The newer truck has 17" rims, with appropriate tires. 
I am considering getting rid of the '05 and getting something else. 
Today I asked the guy at the service desk, as well as one of the service guys, if its possible to put my snow tires that are currently on the 17" rims on the 16" rims?  They said yes, they think so (not 100% sure but they think so).
Also, they said that I can probably put the tires from the 16" rims on my new chrome rims that are 17".
This doesn't make any sense to me.  Don't the tires have to fit the rims?   
My spouse totally disagrees with what Toyota told me today and thinks maybe they didn't understand my questions (but they understood, I'm sure of it).
Thanks!

The answer, as tpl says, is NO, can't do that at all.

[1TSX]

No.

Why are you getting rid of the 4Runner? Problems with it?

[Deborah]

Thanks for the replies.  May I add that I really love this forum! You all have been very helpful in the past as well.  Talk about fast responses!   

Well, crap.  It didn't make any sense to me but I kept seeking clarification and they thought it was possible (didnt guarantee it but felt it was possible).  I said if you were to do it (which I won't allow anymore), would it be bad for the tires and or the rims? 

To the dude who asked why I was getting rid of the 4Runner...I bought the '97 new.  It's the limited version.  Bought the '05 in '06 and it was a demo (also Ltd and loaded to the max).  had just over 16,000 km on it.  Recently replaced the brakes all round and it only had about 35,000 km at that point.  I was so pissed off, as you can imagine. 
I'm just thinking that since I've had 2 4Runners,  a change might be nice.  I do love it but I can get a ton for a trade in and I can get something new for very little.  With low kms, now would be the time to trade...
I'll keep the '97 which still looks like new.  I'll have to outfit it so it can tow and I'll have to mess around with the tires / rims thing but that's life.  Just bought sweet chrome rims for the '05 last spring...

I am considering the Venza or the Tacoma.  Not sure how I feel about going back to a car after driving the SUV all this time...

[airbalancer]

I can get a ton for a trade in and I can get something new for very little.  With low kms, now would be the time to trade...

Are you sure
Have they given you any #?

[Deborah]

we are talking numbers, hopefully on Saturday.  I don't need a new vehicle.  I can walk away.  If I don't get what I want for the 4Runner, there will be no new deal.
They say they have a buyer for it...
I keep asking for a figure...cuz without that, I see no need to proceed.

[toolatecrew]

You always get hosed on trades ALWAYS. They won't give you a number becuase they are not REALLY going to give you XXXXX$ for the 4runner. They will say well it depends on what car you are going to buy gaurenteed.  People who have been buying cars for years still brag oh i GOT xxxxx$ FOR MY TRADE. They can sell you a 20 K car for 20K with a 10 K trade in or they can sell you a 20K car for 18K with an 8K trade in. It costs you the same amount of money.

Don't even discuss the trade in value until you decdie on a price for the new car (hopefully after getting the invoice price, rebate etc information from an outside source first

I don't think I'd get my car serviced by a place that said they could put 17 inch tires on 16 inch rims. That's about the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

[Careener]

The only way the tire info makes any sense is if they were speaking of using the 16" rim+tire on the vehicle that has the 17" or the other way around.
I agree with Toolate that the actual dollar amount of the trade-in is just one part of the total transaction. All that matters is the total cost of the transaction to the buyer.

[weebl]

The wrong size tire on a rim will not work.  Period.  As Careener said, maybe what he was speaking of was if the vehicle you were looking at came with 17" rims and tires, you could put your 16" winter tire and rim on the vehicle.

As for trade in, they love them as it's so easy to hide the true value of both transactions.

Sell your old vehicle separately, negotiate the new vehicle separately.  Know that you can get a new Toyota close to "invoice" as there is likely a dealer willing to move on price.  Best bet would be to talk to the fleet sales manager.  My last 2 new vehicles were bought that way.  You will of course need some way of indepently verifying what exactly the invoice price is, as manufacters do a pretty good job keeing that secret in Canada.

[Deborah]

The only way the tire info makes any sense is if they were speaking of using the 16" rim+tire on the vehicle that has the 17" or the other way around.

No, this isn't what we were talking about, I'm sure of it.

So now that you mention this, I can put 17" rims+ tires on the vehicle that now has 16" rims + tires, right?  Bolt pattern is the same.

[weebl]

No, this isn't what we were talking about, I'm sure of it.

So now that you mention this, I can put 17" rims+ tires on the vehicle that now has 16" rims + tires, right?  Bolt pattern is the same.

Generally speaking, yes.  But you need to take some measurements into consideration.

First, the overall diameter of the rim+tire of your 17" set should be the same as the 16" set you are replacing, or at least within a tolerable % variation, usually accepted to be 2% or under.  There is a tool listed for calculating this in a sticky.

Second, tire width should not interfere with any parts of the vehicle.  Usually, if you go up or down one width size, you should be safe, some vehicles you may be able to go more, but definitely verify first!  Example:  original width 235, you could go 225 downsize or 245 plus size.

Third, rim issues.  You need to make sure of same bolt pattern, which you have.  Also, there are other considerations.  There is wheel offset, which should be the same as the original, or within a tolerable allowance, usually about +/- 2 or 3 mm.  There is the centre hub bore as well.  Ideally, it should be the same, for a "hubcentric fit."  Not ideal, but also could work is to make sure the new wheel is at least a bigger bore, as a smaller one simply won't fit.  There is a catalog listed in the same sticky that contains the OE information for many vehicles, both new and several years old.  Lastly, you need to do a dry test fit.  Even if the specs all say it will work, if there is some weird curvature on the rim, it could still interfere with the calipers.  Rare, but possible.

[Deborah]

omg this is complicated.

Unlike you all who know and understand this kind of stuff, I try to arm myself with information by coming here.  However, in the end, I have to put my faith in the people who are working on my vehicles. Whether its a dealership or a tire place or where ever.

The current all seasons on my 1997 truck have those big honkin tires (16" rims + tires).  This truck is unsafe to drive in the snow and I'm very uncomfortable with it.  The 2005 truck has the 17" rims with the snow tires and I bought the smaller width as I'd been given that advice (which is pretty standard I think). This truck is like a tank and handles awesome in the snow and on ice.

I'm sure there is more than sufficient room for the snow tires etc but all that other stuff that you mention is just mind boggling to me       But thanks!

[DKaz]

Factory brake pads that come with new cars are typically crap and wear within the first 30,000 km, it's normal. Get high quality brake pads to replace them and they'll last you 100,000km.

As for 17" wheels on 16" rims and vice versa. NO. NO NO NO NO NO. NO.

[articsteve]

However, in the end, I have to put my faith in the people who are working on my vehicles. Whether its a dealership or a tire place or where ever.

Who were you speaking to at Baywest about this tire issue?  PM me if you'd rather.

[Deborah]

Factory brake pads that come with new cars are typically crap and wear within the first 30,000 km, it's normal.

huh?  what?  no way.

[blur911]

Today I asked the guy at the service desk, as well as one of the service guys, if its possible to put my snow tires that are currently on the 17" rims on the 16" rims? 

This doesn't make any sense to me.  Don't the tires have to fit the rims?   

If it didn't make any sense to you, why did you ask if you could do it?  I can see how that confused the people at the garage as to what you were actually asking them.

Anyhow, the 17" rims from an '05 should fit your 1997, the tires may not. What size are they?

[Deborah]

I guess I was hoping it were possible.  I have all this new stuff, for the '05 truck, and it won't fit on the '97.  I wanted it to work.  After talking to the guys, who understood completely, my spouse said they were nuts and no way would this be possible.

To that end, I further stated that it didn't really make sense to me because I've purchased tires and rims and things had to match up. 

The way I left it at the dealership was that they told me to bring in the old truck with one of my new chrome rims/tire and they'd check it out.

I have 2 sets of tires for the 17" rims.  Currently the snows are on, on the Toyota rims, and the all seasons are on my new chrome rims ~ as for size, I'm not sure and I'm not going outside to check.  The all seasons are the ones that came with the 4runner.

[Squishy]

Factory brake pads that come with new cars are typically crap and wear within the first 30,000 km, it's normal.

huh?  what?  no way.

The factory pads on my Escape dusted heavily and wore out in 50,000 km.  Shops tend to replace pads a bit prematurely, both for the extra profit and because you might not get your next service before they do wear out.  My new $120 set of pads have gone 48,000 km and are at about 6 mm - that's less than 50% wear.