Topic: 17" front/16" rear OK?

[Wile E Coyote]

I need to replace one of the tires on my '99 Saab 9-5 (sidewall damage).

The car currently has the OEM 215/55-16 all-season Michelins mounted on the stock wheels.

Rather than purchasing a new tire, I'm thinking about replacing the front wheels/tires with a set of 225/45-17 Dunlop FM901s on 17" aftermarket wheels I have in storage.

My question is how this combination will affect the handling characteristics. It's probably not an optimal solution, but is it at least safe?

I live in a very rural environment and do virtually no highway driving (little driving at all for that matter).

[TopGun]

Doesn't sound like a "super genius" thing to do to me.   

Will the wheels even fit the offset of the Saab?  My guess is the handling will be messed up as that's a pretty big change on the steered wheels.

[sailor723]

I forsee a little tiny puff of dust after impact on the canyon floor.

[articsteve]

My question is how this combination will affect the handling characteristics. It's probably not an optimal solution, but is it at least safe?

Be fine.

I'd put the 17s on the rear.

[Wile E Coyote]

Hmmm. There doesn't appear to be a consensus on this issue.

I wonder if a 1010tires.com tech guy can provide some input.

More details:

- both 16" and 17" tire/wheel combos are for the Saab.

- right now I have 4 x 16" wheels but only 3 x 16" tires and 4 x 17" tires but only 3 x 17" wheels (I've never been able to find a replacement for the wheel which was damaged beyond repair).

- because the car is FWD, I figured that the larger wheels/tires should go on the front.

[articsteve]

 because the car is FWD, I figured that the larger wheels/tires should go on the front.

Put the 17s on the back.  Keep the stock size on the front.  Stop worrying and just try it out; welcome to beatersville. 

[auto_enthusiast]

Should be fine.  The 17's are a bit shorter in overall diameter so you might get a bit better acceleration if that matters much to you.

[capriracer]

I agree that the 17" should go on the back - and if everything else were the same, then the car would be a little loose on the front end.

 - BUT -

Differences in tires can completely change the way the car handles - and in this case  you're adding a fairly stiff tire to the rear - and that is going to make the front end feel even looser!

[Nathan@1010tires]

If the tires are the same diameter, that is most important if the vehicle has electronic controls for ABS/traction control, etc... They are close enough. If you put them on the front, they are larger and a more sticky summer tire, the car is going to tend to oversteer pretty badly. I agree with putting them in the back, although clearly running the same size and tire all around is the ideal solution.

[Andy@1010tires]

Eventually it will end up costing you much more than a new set of wheels and tires! Save a penny - loose a dollar. Just my 2 cents..