# Mixing Tires on 2015 Santa Fe

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/mixing-tires-on-2015-santa-fe/189146>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** hyundai, santa-fe\
**Created:** [February 15, 2023, 3:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mixing-tires-on-2015-santa-fe/189146 "2023-02-15T03:00:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![frank14922\_184146](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c6cbf5/32.png) [@frank14922\_184146](https://community.cartalk.com/u/frank14922_184146)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 3:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mixing-tires-on-2015-santa-fe/189146/1 "2023-02-15T03:00:17Z")

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Can I safely put 2 235/60 tires on the rear axle when the front has 235/55? Thanks.

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 3:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mixing-tires-on-2015-santa-fe/189146/2 "2023-02-15T03:04:58Z")

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There’s a sticker on the door jamb that reflects what tire sizes can be used on the vehicle.

![What To Know About Your Vehicle's Tire Pressure Settings](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/a/1/a1b50172b65c48234226243e18b25edeb9f545f8.gif)

Tester

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**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 3:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mixing-tires-on-2015-santa-fe/189146/3 "2023-02-15T03:06:12Z")

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Not if it has all wheel or 4 wheel drive you can’t

Not recommended if you have front or rear wheel drive.

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**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 4:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mixing-tires-on-2015-santa-fe/189146/4 "2023-02-15T04:47:49Z")

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Why do you want to do this?

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**Author:** ![frank14922\_184146](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c6cbf5/32.png) [@frank14922\_184146](https://community.cartalk.com/u/frank14922_184146)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 6:03am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mixing-tires-on-2015-santa-fe/189146/5 "2023-02-15T06:03:31Z")

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Thank you. I figured you can’t mix on an AWD but just wanted to be sure. The Santa Fe came with 235/55 but one source incorrectly stated 235/60 was the correct tire and I found a very good price on them.

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**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 10:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mixing-tires-on-2015-santa-fe/189146/6 "2023-02-15T10:39:40Z")

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The money that you “save” now will come due later in the form of a new transfer case on your AWD drive vehicle.

Stick to what’s listed on the door jamb sticker, as Tester suggested.

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**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 12:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mixing-tires-on-2015-santa-fe/189146/7 "2023-02-15T12:24:00Z")

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You would probably be okay with the 60 series tires, but you **must** replace **all four** tires.  
Suggest you stay with the factory specified tire size. Select tires that provide the qualities you desire; wet, dry, or snow/ice traction, ride , noise, or longevity.  
In my case, wet traction is my first priority.

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**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 1:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mixing-tires-on-2015-santa-fe/189146/8 "2023-02-15T13:24:10Z")

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What is the rim diameter? Standard sizes are 235/60-18 or 235/55-19.

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 2:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mixing-tires-on-2015-santa-fe/189146/9 "2023-02-15T14:47:05Z")

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> [@ledhed75](#):
>
> The money that you “save” now will come due later in the form of a new transfer case on your AWD drive vehicle.

AWD vehicles don’t have transfer cases.

They have center differentials.

Tester

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**Author:** ![frank14922\_184146](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c6cbf5/32.png) [@frank14922\_184146](https://community.cartalk.com/u/frank14922_184146)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 2:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mixing-tires-on-2015-santa-fe/189146/10 "2023-02-15T14:54:25Z")

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Done. Will use specified 235/55 r19, same as what was on. Thanks.

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**Author:** ![frank14922\_184146](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c6cbf5/32.png) [@frank14922\_184146](https://community.cartalk.com/u/frank14922_184146)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 2:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mixing-tires-on-2015-santa-fe/189146/11 "2023-02-15T14:57:57Z")

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Using the latter on all 4 wheels to match what was on.

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**Author:** ![frank14922\_184146](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c6cbf5/32.png) [@frank14922\_184146](https://community.cartalk.com/u/frank14922_184146)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 3:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mixing-tires-on-2015-santa-fe/189146/12 "2023-02-15T15:07:14Z")

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I replaced 2 coupla months ago, did not do all 4 because SF has 180k + miles on it. Now replacing other 2 due to bumpiness. They will be exact same tires as first 2. I do know ideally should do all 4 at once. Thanks.

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**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 7:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mixing-tires-on-2015-santa-fe/189146/13 "2023-02-15T19:25:30Z")

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Would putting the new tires one one side only damage the all wheel drive system? I believe I read that Subarus can’t handle different sized tires. I guess tire that is low on air can damage the AWD system too? If that’s true it’s a horrible system. I would take apart the transmissiond and weld the differential together to get rid of the AWD if I had such a car.

There is nothing wrong with different sized tires if the AW drivetrain is made to handle it.

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 7:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mixing-tires-on-2015-santa-fe/189146/14 "2023-02-15T19:49:33Z")

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> [@TheWonderful90s](#):
>
> I would take apart the transmissiond and weld the differential together to get rid of the AWD

![:smack:](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/a/d/adab6e8ff6624929e4e2c00d93633a00292b57e4.gif) ![:smack:](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/a/d/adab6e8ff6624929e4e2c00d93633a00292b57e4.gif) ![:smack:](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/a/d/adab6e8ff6624929e4e2c00d93633a00292b57e4.gif) ![:smack:](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/a/d/adab6e8ff6624929e4e2c00d93633a00292b57e4.gif)

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**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 8:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mixing-tires-on-2015-santa-fe/189146/15 "2023-02-15T20:18:56Z")

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> [@TheWonderful90s](#):
>
> If that’s true it’s a horrible system.

Subaru’s AWD system is one of the best in snow. Having to be careful of matching tire circumferences is the tradeoff, which is apparently acceptable to the many buyers of those cars.

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 8:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mixing-tires-on-2015-santa-fe/189146/16 "2023-02-15T20:41:08Z")

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> [@TheWonderful90s](#):
>
> I guess tire that is low on air can damage the AWD system too?

Unlikely, if it’s low enough to have a significantly different circumference the driver has more immediate problems!

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**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 10:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mixing-tires-on-2015-santa-fe/189146/17 "2023-02-15T22:45:43Z")

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Correct me if I am wrong, but to my knowledge nearly all, if not all, full time AWD systems use some sort of a center differential or viscous coupling.

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**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 12:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mixing-tires-on-2015-santa-fe/189146/18 "2023-02-16T00:57:22Z")

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Thank you, Tester, that’s what I meant. Hadn’t had enough coffee at the time…

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**Author:** ![FoDaddy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/fodaddy/32/717_2.png) [@FoDaddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FoDaddy)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 1:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mixing-tires-on-2015-santa-fe/189146/19 "2023-02-16T01:47:42Z")

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> [@TheWonderful90s](#):
>
> I would take apart the transmissiond and weld the differential together to get rid of the AWD if I had such a car.

You wouldn’t be getting rid of the AWD if you did that…

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**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 4:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mixing-tires-on-2015-santa-fe/189146/20 "2023-02-16T04:05:25Z")

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A 235/60/18 has a 29.1" Diameter versus a 235/55/18 has a 28.2" Diameter depending on how picky the ABS/Traction control is you could be making the vehicle think that the different size tires are rotating at different speeds and give the computer a fit making the vehicle drive crazy… If this is an AWD vehicle it could cause damage to the driveline unit…

Most AWD vehicles must either have to have 2 or 4 tires replaced at the same time that are the same make/model with in 10% of lowest to highest tread of the same design… But I have seen many KIA and Hyundai replace 1 tire at a time with out damage to the driveline… Replacing 2 or 4 at a time is in the manufactures design so check your owners manual, yes it can be a PIA to find sometimes… lol

To answer another question or two, the main difference between an AWD/4WD and full time 4WD is that Full time 4WD and 4WD have 2 differentials and 1 Transfer case, an AWD has 3 differentials and no Transfer case…
