Maximum Diameter with AWD?

playa6tnine

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Location
Orlando
When getting aftermarket wheels, what would be the maximum diameter you could go without messing with the AWD system?

I'm looking at getting 285/40/22 tires (1.7% taller than the OEM), but I don't want the AWD system to freak and think the wheels are slipping or something.

(2006 FX45)
 
I think the biggest importance is that front and rear diameters match. If you are getting the same tires of all 4 wheels then you should be fine, especially with only small changes in size from stock.
 
the only issue that screws with AWD is is the contact area is different....you can even go staggered if the same amount of tire is touching the ground on all 4 wheels....
 
When getting aftermarket wheels, what would be the maximum diameter you could go without messing with the AWD system?

I'm looking at getting 285/40/22 tires (1.7% taller than the OEM), but I don't want the AWD system to freak and think the wheels are slipping or something.

(2006 FX45)

32.5 Inches in diamater (Icluding the wheel and tire) is the max that you can go all arround..

Anything else will throw off the AWD (Error code/ABS/ AWD will go off on your dash)

John can give you more specific info if you need it.

I am running 305/35/22 if you do opt to got with a 285/"40"/22 .,,, you might be pushing it.
 
You're getting great advice thus far. Here is another one to throw in the mix...
If you are purchasing custom wheels (DPE, HRE, IForged, etc) you have have them play with the offsets to make the rear wheels have larger lips while the diameter of the wheels remians the same. That will give you a larger lip in the rear, you'll be able to run the same tire front and rear, and the overall look will be that of a staggered setup.

This should explain it pretty simple

---------- Post added at 12:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:11 PM ----------

the only issue that screws with AWD is is the contact area is different....you can even go staggered if the same amount of tire is touching the ground on all 4 wheels....


wrong...you can have different surface area width wise...the real issuse is the revolutions of the front tire/wheel to the rear tire/wheel they should match as close as possible. Your front and rear diffs are geared to spin in sync with each other. If you mess with the size of the tires, height wise, your front wheels will spin fast than the rear making the front diff gears spin faster resulting in the front diff pulling the slower spining rear diff.
 
i'm running 285/40/22's with zero problems with AWD. it rubs a tiny bit in the back if i'm flying over huge dips, but not damaging. i'm not lowered and the gap looks factory. i don't recommend hauling ass over dips, but average speed you'll be good.
 
wrong...you can have different surface area width wise...the real issuse is the revolutions of the front tire/wheel to the rear tire/wheel they should match as close as possible. Your front and rear diffs are geared to spin in sync with each other. If you mess with the size of the tires, height wise, your front wheels will spin fast than the rear making the front diff gears spin faster resulting in the front diff pulling the slower spining rear diff.


the result of a significant difference in diameter or differing amounts of revolutions per mile would be slip lights & awd lights kicking up on the dash & having computer control issues. long term it can even damage the transfer case & cause other driveline issues too, but you would wind up with malfunction lights way before that...
 
not really. the problem is that is assuming all tires are precisely sized as there labeled, & there not. different manufacturers tires will vary in exact measurements. you need to be more precise & know the actual measured rotations per mile of the specific tire in question, this info is available from the manufacturer. 2 different exact same designation size tires can differ by a lot. tirerack lists all these in there specs & is great for comparing actual diameters & rotations per miles on all the tires they sell, check out there listed spec's & you'll see what I mean...
 
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