Different Size/Brand Tires

[Sig0110]

Well I just turned 30,000 miles and my front tires are almost worn to wear indicators. Im starting to shop for tires because in the next month or so, I will be driving in Snow and mud. While I feel Michellin tires are the best Highway tire available, Im looking for something that will last and perform better on unpaved/gravel roads/Mt trails. Ive made up my mind to go with GoodYr Fortera/silent armor. The reason I want these tires is because I got close to 60,000 miles in above conditions, being that they are a 8ply vs the 4ply they will also be more resistant to belt breakage. My question to you guys is, will going to a different brand but same size tire harm my tranny or all wheel drive system. The guy at tire store said he saw a Subbie Outback damage its transmission becuase of brand different tires. I know from expierience that a 245/65 17 in 1 brand can have a different profile than that same size tire in another flavor.

Thanks
ROC

John

[Sig0110]

BTW- The only reason I only got 30,000 miles out of the fronts is because I dont rotate tires. IMO its easier for me to shell out $500 a time for 2 tires vs $1000 for 4 tires at a later time.

Thanks
ROC

[geotech]

There are as many opinions on this topic as there are threads to search! IMO, you should have specific needs that would necessitate a move away from the OEM tire. It is a great tire and according the Honda developers, it was specifically matched to the truck.

My specific needs, as I perceived them, lead me to the Wrangler SA 245/70/17's. Although I don't necessarily regret the decision, I don't believe I would do it again, knowing what I now know. What do you use the truck for and where to you do it?

BTW, I had over 30k on my non rotated OEM's and they exhibited very even wear.

[k757]

Originally Posted by Sig0110

BTW- The only reason I only got 30,000 miles out of the fronts is because I dont rotate tires. IMO its easier for me to shell out $500 a time for 2 tires vs $1000 for 4 tires at a later time.

well.......ummmm ok. If you are paying $250 for a tire, you need to shop someplace else. Even at the overpriced dealership, they doesn't cost that much.

[k757]

Originally Posted by Sig0110

My question to you guys is, will going to a different brand but same size tire harm my tranny or all wheel drive system. The guy at tire store said he saw a Subbie Outback damage its transmission becuase of brand different tires. I know from expierience that a 245/65 17 in 1 brand can have a different profile than that same size tire in another flavor.

Different brand... I find that very unlikely. Different size, I would believe this to be more true.

Maybe my logic is flawed, but I see 245/65-17 as a set size. With a 1/2" wrench, if you move between brands, it's still a 1/2" wrench

[arteegee]

Originally Posted by k757

Different brand... I find that very unlikely. Different size, I would believe this to be more true.

Maybe my logic is flawed, but I see 245/65-17 as a set size. With a 1/2" wrench, if you move between brands, it's still a 1/2" wrench

Your logic is flawed.

[Sig0110]

Hmm My needs, I bought the truck mid April and have 30,000 miles. Driven from Texas to Montana and back and then back to Montana. Average day I drive 150-250 miles a day/at least 50 on gravel road/a few sites are Mt Tops 25 miles up/25 miles down 4000-5000 foot elevation change. Im putting this truck to the extreme and except for 1 Mt top it hasnt let me down. I have a trunk full of tools and gear, 4ft ladder,2ft ladder and 2 suitcases that weigh 65lbs each(Airlines bust me for being over weight every few weeks that I go home) Inside I have Mp3 player,XM radio,Sub,2 amps and CB radio, I also have a 4000 watt power invertor hardwired into battery. I also have a Ram Mount laptop stand mounted onto the passengers front seat, it holds my laptop and GPS. My truck is my tool truck/office/home away from home, I have a couple of complaints(Gas tank and seatbelt dinger) but Honda did a great job building this Sport UtilityVehicle. As long as I dont loose my shirt when I trade it in next Spring or Summer(70,000-90,000 miles), Im going to be a Happy Camper.

[Sig0110]

Originally Posted by k757

well.......ummmm ok. If you are paying $250 for a tire, you need to shop someplace else. Even at the overpriced dealership, they doesn't cost that much.

Originally Posted by k757

Different brand... I find that very unlikely. Different size, I would believe this to be more true.

Maybe my logic is flawed, but I see 245/65-17 as a set size. With a 1/2" wrench, if you move between brands, it's still a 1/2" wrench

Gee thanks for adding NOTHING HELPFUL to this post, I was just setting a example with my $500/$1000 figure. Im sure Im not far off when you add tax,state disposal fee and road hazzard. Im telling you from expierence, a 245/65 17 in Michellin is a different profile than a Goodyear or Hanook. DOT allows a certain variance in regard to profiles, I dont know exactly the figure but I promise it changes.

[geotech]

Originally Posted by Sig0110

Hmm My needs, I bought the truck mid April and have 30,000 miles. Driven from Texas to Montana and back and then back to Montana. Average day I drive 150-250 miles a day/at least 50 on gravel road/a few sites are Mt Tops 25 miles up/25 miles down 4000-5000 foot elevation change. Im putting this truck to the extreme and except for 1 Mt top it hasnt let me down. I have a trunk full of tools and gear, 4ft ladder,2ft ladder and 2 suitcases that weigh 65lbs each(Airlines bust me for being over weight every few weeks that I go home) Inside I have Mp3 player,XM radio,Sub,2 amps and CB radio, I also have a 4000 watt power invertor hardwired into battery. I also have a Ram Mount laptop stand mounted onto the passengers front seat, it holds my laptop and GPS. My truck is my tool truck/office/home away from home, I have a couple of complaints(Gas tank and seatbelt dinger) but Honda did a great job building this Sport UtilityVehicle. As long as I dont loose my shirt when I trade it in next Spring or Summer(70,000-90,000 miles), Im going to be a Happy Camper.

Similar to mine. I got the Prograde as well (10 ply) because I can't affort to have punctures and rock cuts. Most owners here never see gravel or dirt roads. I see them every day. As I have previously posted, the Wrangler SA's have excellent traction in all conditions, a little loud, pick up and hold rocks and have high rolling resistance, but they have performed and worn well so far. They are are not cheap.

Although the OEMS performed remarkably well for the conditions I threw at them, they were just not quite aggressive enough for my application. So close.

[pakratbob]

Originally Posted by Sig0110

1) My question to you guys is, will going to a different brand but same size tire harm my tranny or all wheel drive system. The guy at tire store said he saw a Subbie Outback damage its transmission becuase of brand different tires. I know from expierience that a 245/65 17 in 1 brand can have a different profile than that same size tire in another flavor.
2) BTW- The only reason I only got 30,000 miles out of the fronts is because I dont rotate tires. IMO its easier for me to shell out $500 a time for 2 tires vs $1000 for 4 tires at a later time.

Thanks
ROC

Answers:
1) The basic answer is NO, switching brands/types of tires will not damage the transmission (IF ALL 4 tires are the same). The guy at the tire store is a moron and has no idea what he is talking about. You are correct, that different tires will have different profiles, even if manufactured by the same brand. The shoulder shape, tire pattern and underlying belt design all affect the profile. Also keep in mind that even the same size tire might be different actual sizes. For example, a 245/R65-17 in one type may actually be 9.6" wide and 29.5" high, but a 245/R65-17 in another type/brand may actually be 9.8" wide and 29.7" high. This little of a difference will have negligible effects on your tranny.
2) It would be much smarter to rotate your tires. This does a number of things. a) It gives all of your tires equal traction; keep in mind that as tires wear, they decrease in size/diameter, you want all four to be the same size; this is important, especially because the RL has an all-wheel drive system. b) It extends the life of ALL of your tires; I have 33K on my tires (some gravel/dirt roads) and they have very little wear; I rotate mine about every 5-7k. c) By rotating the tires, you adjust the wear on each of the tires to compensate for slight imperfections in wear; in normal driving, your right front tire will wear faster than the other tires, then the right rear, then the left front, then the left rear (because turning right is harder on your tires than turning left!); also there may be slight variations in caster, camber and toe in on the wheel alignment that will cause slight wear difference; rotating will keep them all relatively even.

I used to have a '90 4Runner. I bought it new, but spent 11 years building it up. 2" suspension lift, custom wheels, engine/exhaust mods, tranny work, etc. I also went throught many different tires (sizes, styles, types, brands). I had everything from the stock original tires to fairly agressive off-road tires. I did 4 of the 14k' peaks in Colorado in that truck and never had problems.

By changing type or brands of tires, but keeping the original size, at worst, you will possibly experience changes in gas mileage, changes in tire noise, and possibly changes in ride comfort.

However, I would highly advise against having 2 tires of one type/brand and two tires of another type/brand. You want to keep all 4 tires the same if possible. Again, I refer to differences in traction, size, etc. that can affect the all-wheel drive. I wouldn't even do that on a 2-wheel drive car. I ALWAYS replace all four tires, unless I have to replace one and the others are not too worn (due to damage or flat, etc.).

JMHO! Hope this helps.