Traction Control vs Tire Size

Gordy

Gordy

Addicted to Tire Smoke
Ok, I have been looking through here and im sure I probably missed it, but I'm curious if changing the tire size in the programmer will correct any issues with Traction Control. I have run astranged tire size differences with no issue up to this point but seems enough people on here have claimed issues to make me ask the question. The tires I have for the back this time will be only slightly larger in diameter than the front. 26.68 inches front vs 26.97 rear
 
Gordy said:
... but I'm curious if changing the tire size in the programmer will correct any issues with Traction Control. I have run astranged tire size differences with no issue up to this point but seems enough people on here have claimed issues to make me ask the question. The tires I have for the back this time will be only slightly larger in diameter than the front. 26.68 inches front vs 26.97 rear
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I assume that you DO HAVE the TC button on the dash since your build number is pretty late in the 2003 model run.

Wasn't aware that you could change the tire size or Revs in the programmer. :dunno:

The stock difference in OEM sizes is 5% larger on the rear. The TC (traction control) system looks for this difference with a certain margin to account for tire wear, etc. Rear size should be between 3 to 6% larger to stay within the margin. With a 26.68" front, that means your rear tires should be between 27.48" and 28.48" tall.

You may be able to go as low as 2% difference (27.21") but it is chancy since they will get smaller as they wear.

Seems you may have a TC issue with a 26.97" rear (essentially the same size as the fronts or close enough to same size). Only way others have worked around this is to "Turn Off" TC every time you start the car.
 
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Thanks for the response. I naturally turn the traction off when I drive, can't stand it, but occasionally I forget till I realize it by the end of the driveway. Just did not want it to cause problems before that. I use to keep it turned off via the programmer but it causes to many warning lights to stay on
 
Gordy said:
Ok, I have been looking through here and im sure I probably missed it, but I'm curious if changing the tire size in the programmer will correct any issues with Traction Control. I have run astranged tire size differences with no issue up to this point but seems enough people on here have claimed issues to make me ask the question. The tires I have for the back this time will be only slightly larger in diameter than the front. 26.68 inches front vs 26.97 rear
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No.
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So I get a result that the tuner doesn't fix the (tire size VS traction control) problem!!
So please provide me with the most accurate range percentage of size difference between fronts and rears cz I got NITTOs NT555 255/45/18 all around and got the TC issue and now gonna get a pair of NT555 265/50/18 for the rears which will make 5.2 difference between fronts and rears. So am I gonna be in the safe side with the 5.2% difference or not??
 
raed attar said:
So I get a result that the tuner doesn't fix the (tire size VS traction control) problem!!
So please provide me with the most accurate range percentage of size difference between fronts and rears cz I got NITTOs NT555 255/45/18 all around and got the TC issue and now gonna get a pair of NT555 265/50/18 for the rears which will make 5.2 difference between fronts and rears. So am I gonna be in the safe side with the 5.2% difference or not??
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If you run 255/45 in the front and 265/50 in the rear and have traction control you will be fine. That is the same front/rear size combo I use and have no issues.
 
OK--So what about 235/50 in front and 255/55/18 in rear? I am buying tires this week and am perplexed in upsizing. Trying to buy Nitto Motivo's... should I move up to NT555's ???? HELP
 
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Motivos are nice and nt555 are the same in performance but much more sexy than the motivos.
I got motivos on dad's 2001 GM and are pretty good, soft on bumpy roads and not noisy at all
 
If you're buying 255/55/18 rears, and buying fronts at the same time, might as well go with 245/50/18 fronts - if available.

Generally, it seems that for front size X/Y/18, a simple way to determine the most likely matching rear is X+10/Y+5/18.

You could also use matching ratios (the middle number), but it's a trickier mix: X/Y/18 with X+35/Y/18. +30 for lower widths (215) or +40 as the width goes up (265).
 
people what about 255/45/18 for fronts and 255/55/18 for rears?? (rears will be 7.3 taller than fronts depending on rimsntires.com converter) any TC issues may happen? did anybody try this difference?
 
raed attar said:
people what about 255/45/18 for fronts and 255/55/18 for rears?? (rears will be 7.3 taller than fronts depending on rimsntires.com converter) any TC issues may happen? did anybody try this difference?
Click to expand...

Too much difference front to rear. The accepted range is 3-6 percent. This ^^^^ combo works out to 7.4 to 7.5 percent. A tad too much so I think it will mess with your TC unless you turn it off each time you start the car.

Rear 255/55/18 = 29.04 inches tire height and 694 Revs per mile.
Front 255/45/18 = 27.04 inches tire height and 746 Revs per mile.

Some (including myself) have pushed the upper limit to 6.5% using the 255/55/18 rears and the OEM 235/50/18 fronts (27.25 inches tall and 740 revs). Don't think anyone has gone any more than 6.5 to 6.6%.
 
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Easiest way to figure this is to take the circumference of your front tires and multiply this by 1.05. Your rear tires MUST BE this circumference to work.

This formula works with the standard KDWS, Cooper RS3-A
and Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval AS.
There may be other tires that work as well.

This also works if you change wheel sizes.
If you elect to keep the 18" on the front and put 19" on the rear.
Rear tire circumference = Front tire circumference * 1.05.
 
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