I went out and got two new tires for the front of my car. Apparently, I asked for the wrong size. The new tires are P215/65R15. The old (and correct size) tires were P205/65R15. Will these tires cause a problem? Thanks.
The 215's are just a little taller than the 205's. The only thing it might affect is the ABS system because of the rotation speeds of the tires being different than the shorter ones, but even then, that difference might not be enough to cause any problems.
It should do no harm as long as they are on the same axle. You should think about getting the same size for the back. This next larger size will actually give you approximately 5% better gas mileage. If they are on your drive wheels. Which means if you use X amount of gas to go 100 miles on the original tires? You will get 105 miles on the same amount of gas with the larger tires. In money it would mean instead of $3. a gallon on old tires. It would translate to $2.85 a gallon on new tires. Your speedometer would read wrong. At 60mph you would actually be doing about 63mph. So if the speed limit is 60mph and you are using the 5mph margin doing 65mph you are actually doing 68mph. Something to remember. Any adverse effects on the computer,brakes or the like would be negligible.
The new tires should work just fine. Check the clearance from the tire to the fender when the wheels are fully turned to make sure they don't rub. If they do, just put them tires on the rear and get two new tires the correct size for the front.
