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Home Transmission Drivetrain Damage from Mismatched Tires: Cons

Drivetrain Damage from Mismatched Tires: Cons

November 6, 2024 | Victor Lukasso
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The type of tires installed on your car plays a significant role in your car’s feel, performance, and speed.

And if you’re wondering if mismatched tires could also cause damage to the drivetrain, then you’re correct.

As discussed in our article about drivetrain malfunctions, the drivetrain combines all the components that aid the wheel’s movement.

A drivetrain consists of the engine, axle drive, wall bearing, transmission, and shifting between 4WD and 2WD.

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Using tires of different sizes and threads will cause drivetrain Damage to any of the above parts since most of them won’t be able to propel the wheel properly.

Let’s see some of the drivetrain damages that might arise from using Mismatched Tires without wasting much time.

Drivetrain Damages from Mismatched Tires on 4WD.

Four (4) wheel drive vehicles are not exempted from drivetrain Damage on Mismatched Tires.

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For instance, 4WD vehicles have a central differential speed that shifts from the front Tires to the rear and side to side.

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If there’s a difference in the diameter of the Tires, it will affect the transmission and cause drivetrain damage.

Also, Mismatched Tires result in your tires running at different speeds because the axle shaft is transmission being relayed from the sensors.

You must use Tires of the same size, threads, and, if possible, model to avoid endangering yourself, other road users, and the drivetrain.

Drivetrain Damages from Mismatched Tires on 2WD

Installed on the two-wheel drive are the differential assembly components, which aid the wheels in turning sideways and overcoming different speed barriers.

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If the Tires installed on the two-wheel drive are of different sizes, it’ll be hard for the car to move at a balanced and stable speed, thereby reducing the lifespan of the differential assembly.

So, make sure to install Tires of the exact sizes and threads on a 2WD to avoid causing damage to the drivetrain.

FAQs

Can uneven tires damage transmission?

Yes, the transmission is one of the components that make up the drivetrain; failure to use Tires of the same size, threads, and model will cause damage to the transmission.

Can mismatched tires damage your car?

Yes, especially the drivetrain components such as the transmission, engine, axle drives, and wall bearings.

What happens if you have mismatched tires?

Mismatched Tires make it hard for the transmission to rotate other tires at the same speed.

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This will likely cause uneven wear on the ties or damage to the drivetrain.

Can tires damage the transmission?

Yes, Mismatched Tires can cause severe damage to the drivetrain and transmission.

Can I replace just one tire on a 4WD?

Yes, you can, but auto experts recommend replacing all four tires even when one is faulty.

This is to eliminate any drivetrain damages from Mismatched Tires.

Is it OK to have different tires front and back?

Ensure all four or two tires are the same size, thread, and model. You can check your manual guide for more information.

What happens if one tire is more significant than the rest?

If one tire is more significant than the rest, the transmission will not correctly control the braking and rotation of the wheels.

Can mismatched tires cause vibration?

Since the tires aren’t the same size, your wheels can be unbalanced, causing vibration and a shaky car.

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Meet Victor Lukasso, the owner of V. Auto Basics. Through this blog, Victor Provides Insights on the latest tips, maintenance, repair, and techniques in the automotive world.

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