Swapping tires sounds simple – until it’s not. The process requires some knowledge to ensure further safety on the road. Just think: how do you change them when you have to put your rear tires on the front or when you want to upgrade or downgrade? Or how do you mount a single tire when the other 3 are in good condition? There is a right way to do it and several wrong ones.
This section provides useful insights on how to interchange tires the right way. You will find answers about what is safe, what is not, and how to ensure a correct interchange process to drive confidently after the switch.
What Does “Interchanging Tires” Refer To?
Interchanging tires refers not only to changing one or more tires to new ones. It can similarly refer to:
- Tire rotation process in which tires switch sides or axles (tires on the front axle go the rear axle and vice versa, or left tires go to the right side of the same axle or vice versa)
- Changing tire sizes when looking for performance improvement, better comfort, or ground clearance adjustment
- Using one or two mismatched tires in emergency situations
- Swapping wheels and tires from another vehicle for aftermarket upgrades (like steel to alloy) or appearance improvements
Each scenario comes with specific guidelines and risks to take, if done improperly. Drivers must assess them all and ask for professional advice to ensure further performance and safety on the road. For example, many drivers ask about switching between similar-looking sizes—like 225/45R17 and 225/45R16 and you should check out NeoTires tire interchanging guide for it. These changes may seem minor but they can lead to plenty of side effects impacting performance and safety if doing it the wrong way. .
Can You Simply Interchange Any Tire with Another?
The short answer is No, confirmed by most tire manufacturers and industry experts. The reason is that each tire has unique criteria that make it compatible only with another tire with the same criteria. Here we are talking about tire load index, speed rating, diameter, width, and sidewall height.
For optimal performance and minimal risk, all tires after the change must be compatible in these aspects. Otherwise, mismatching affects overall vehicle dynamics in terms of steering feel, traction, braking distance, and even fuel economy.
A safe interchange is one that involves exchanging one tire for another with the same load and speed rating, the same tread pattern, and size. Any other interchange can only be accepted in emergency conditions (different tread pattern, or tread wear) or under the supervision of a professional to ensure safety (size upgrade or downgrade, or swapping wheels from another vehicle).
Risks of Improper Tire Interchanging
Tire interchanging that does not take into account the compatibility with the vehicle, the size, load and speed ratings with the other tires (in the case of changing 1-2 tires) entails a series of adverse effects. These include ABS and traction control malfunctions, transmission damage in AWD and 4WD Systems, and incorrect speedometer and odometer readings.
Modern vehicles calculate speed data and tire size to determine how and when to apply ABS. Switching tires to an improper diameter is likely to cause false readings, leading to delayed response in emergency stops or uneven brake pressure.
Mismatching tires after improper change is especially risky in AWD and 4WD Systems due to high transmission damage potential. Uneven tread depth between different tires can lead to torque imbalance and early wear on expensive driveline components. This is why checking the owner’s manual to find and stick to acceptable diameter variance is crucial.
How To Interchange Tires Safely?
There are several scenarios in which interchanging tires does not threaten your driving safety in any way. The important ones include staying within approved alternative sizes, matching tire load index and speed ratings, and opt for the same tread pattern and wear rate. Also, it is a good practice to consult a tire expert in matters of fitment to determine the compatibility of the tire you want to interchange.
- Staying within approved alternative sizes
Manufacturers usually specify tire size matching in the driver’s manual. Size alternatives often include tires with the same or higher speed and load capabilities with only a slight tire width/rim/ and aspect ratio variations. For example, interchanging a 215/60R16 with a 225/55R17 is usually safe and acceptable with proper wheels.
- Matching Load Index and Speed Rating
Interchanging tires with the same load and speed indexes is a good practice to ensure safety and performance. If you decide to make a change, the right way to do that is by opting for a higher load and speed rating than your OE tires, and not the other way around. Interchanging for a lower rating leads to severe drawbacks such as tire failure under stress, poor handling and braking performance, and shorter tire lifespan.
In any other scenario, tire interchange requires professional guidance in terms of suspension geometry, brake clearance, and wheel offset. These aspects can be unknown to you, and engaging in changes you don’t know can severely compromise your safety behind the wheel.
Interchanging Tires: Smart Tips
To enjoy safe and performant driving, fitting an optimal tire size is essential. However, many car enthusiasts ignore the “size matching” recommended by manufacturers and rush into major changes for aesthetics, performance, or just adventure purposes. Whatever your motivation for a major tire interchange, it is crucial to do this step correctly to ensure safe driving. According to SimpleTire, the minimum actions you can take to stay safe on the road are:
- check wheel offset, clearance, and suspension space before swapping sizes. Even if the bolt pattern matches, the wrong offset can severely affect the steering, rub against the suspension or fenders, or cause early tire wear. Here is where a professional mechanic is an absolute must for expert guidance.
- avoid mixing tread types across axles. All tires must be the same type on both axles. All you can expect from a summer tire on the front coupled with a winter tire on the rear is unpredictable behavior, poor handling, early wear, and zero safety, especially in rain or snow.
- ensure similar tread depth when replacing singles. If the difference between the new tire and the remaining 3 tires is more than 2/32” in depth, it is wiser to replace at least 2 tires and install the new ones in the rear. In the case of AWDs, replacing all four tires at once is the safest practice, even though it is tempting to limit yourself to two.
Bottom Line
Interchanging tires can be practical but only if you take the necessary steps to ensure a correct process. Understanding your vehicle requirements and knowing your manufacturer’s recommendations are essential aspects in this process. Criteria such as size compatibility, speed and load ratings, drivetrain type, and wheel offset can never be ignored in this process – which is why you need a professional assistant, especially if you want to make changes that are outside of your manufacturer’s recommendations. Take your time to research and ensure the changes you plan to make are safe for your further driving experience. Drive safe and interchange your tires wisely!
