Tires: winter tires for 2005 toyota matrix, toyota matrix xr, antilock braking system

Question
i have a pair of 205/55/r16 winter tires mounted on front of car, i need to put a pair on the rear, since it has no antilock braking system i know i can use different tread patterns on front than back. would i be able to use a different size also? i have a pair of 185/65r15 i am wanting to put on the rear. so it would be 205/55r16 on front and 185/65r15 on rear. are there any huge no nos in doing this? it's a 2005 toyota matrix xr

Answer
James,

The best situation is to have all four tires exactly the same, including state of wear.  The further you are away from that, the more risk.

The risk?  Losing control in an emergency situation.  Ordinary driving may not reveal the severity of the situation, but in an emergency - just when you want the car to behave predictably - that's when the nature of the arrangement will come out - and then it will be too late.

So while a difference in tread pattern might not be too bad, I think different tire sizes is over the line, by itself - and your suggestion is fairly extreme - and going down in load carrying capacity on top of it.

I recommend against this move.