Put rear tires on the front as well; good idea?

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Permalink Reply by John McGinley on November 20, 2008 at 2:05am

Is this a yes or no? Will the rear tires will fit on the front stock rims?

I can't understand what the jargon studs, rims, adapters, fittings, and other jarbon, etc. means.

Yes, I will have to get new rims, or no?

As I have said, since I know not what to do, I have not done anthing already.

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Permalink Reply by Ian Pellant on November 20, 2008 at 5:35am

NOT SAFE.

You want to fit 175/55 onto 4.5" rims when those tires are normally fitted to 5.0" and 5.5" rims ? My quick answer is no... but I'm no tire and wheel expert.

You should seek expert tire advice from your nearest tire dealer that stocks 175/55 tires... they are a rare size and that search will most likely lead you back to your smart dealer for the special size Continentals, who will tell you: "no!". The 4.5" rims are too narrow to be safe with 175 (6.9" wide) tires.

155/60 R15 and 175/55 R15 tend to be very rare tire sizes. Just ask yor nearest NTB shop and wait for the dumbfounded responses. That's why buying the smart factory rear set of 175/55 R15 on 5.5" rims is the simplest way to go...

... Unless someone has started importing the sizes in some other brands, you have very little choice. Other smarties have gone to different wheel rim sizes to get into a wider choice of tire brands and sizes. And that usually involves wheel stud adapters.

Do as SATO did: buy a smart factory set of rear wheels and tires; then sell your front set to someone needing spares or wanting the rims for winter tires.

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Permalink Reply by John McGinley on November 20, 2008 at 12:59pm

Thank you very much for a clear response. That's what I'll do. Would sure like it if Michelin had those sizes. Much better tires. My first Porsche came with Pirelli tires; lasted 20,000 miles. Put on Michelins; they lasted 60,000!!

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Permalink Reply by John McGinley on November 20, 2008 at 1:18pm

Just checked an on-line tire store: ONLY Contental makes those sizes.

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Permalink Reply by Ian Pellant on November 20, 2008 at 6:18pm

That's it... Continentals are the only readily available tires in smart sizes.
I normally fit Michelins by preference; even on my bicycles. Michelin do have a 195/50 for the pulse 6.5" rear; but nothing in a 175/55.

I am so glad that the pulse combination of 175 front and 195 rear Contis work so well. Very good tires for my local conditions. I'd be very frustrated if they weren't !

Tire to rim sizing is complicated and rolling length needs to be maintained for speedo and ESP calibrations. Have a play with: http://www.wheelsmaster.com/rt_specs.jsp

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Permalink Reply by andrewd on November 20, 2008 at 1:12am

i have 195's all round... no difference to economy acceleration/braking at all!

much much less understeer now though

see pic i posted in the photos section

i now have 2 spare front wheels lol

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Permalink Reply by mr bad example on November 20, 2008 at 6:10am

i'll probably buy a pair of rear smart wheels (5.5's) and mount 185/60-15's all around next year. i ran 195/50-15's on a geo metro for years with no problems. the smart front end rides with under 500 lbs on each front tire while going forward. having a pure, i can use the same wheel covers and not worry about a change in appearance, only an observant "smartie" will know they are not stock tires. milage will go up a little, the weight is just a pound more on the rear end and 2 pounds more per front tire.

having my smart almost a year, i was surprised that the skinny front tires corner as well as they do, without howling in tight/fast corners, like my old metro tires (155/80-13's) did.

the only thing you have to worry about is clearance on the front end. Brabus runs fatter tires all around on the smart.

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Permalink Reply by John McGinley on November 21, 2008 at 8:52pm

Who is Brabus?

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Permalink Reply by Greg on November 20, 2008 at 7:04pm

Does anyone have pics? Would like to see how it looks.

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Permalink Reply by Ian Pellant on November 22, 2008 at 2:12am

BRABUS is a bit off topic...

Take a look at: http://seriouswheels.com/cars/top-2008-Brabus-smart-fortwo.htm

Ignore the engine specs; the US does not get the 98 bhp enigne.

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Permalink Reply by SATO on November 22, 2008 at 9:51pm

this is my much improved ride.....

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Permalink Reply by Not so smart on November 21, 2008 at 9:31pm

Hi John, I got the following information from Smartcar of America,

Founded in 1977 and once owned by Baron Martin von Brabus, BRABUS, GmbH has become one of the largest aftermarket tuners for Maybach,Mercedes and did the first aftermarket tuning for smart GmbH. The BRABUS Company is based near Dusseldorf in Germany.

This was only one paragraph from a story called "Get Behind the Wheel of a Smart Brabus"

Hope this helps.

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