redping3

Hello,

This might be a dumb question, but are the front and rear tires the same size from the factory? I'm buying a new set for the front, so I'm wondering if I can shift the old pair to the rear; I'm wondering if they're the same. While I'm at it, I've heard the factory tires aren't very good, so what's a tire you recommend?
Thank you, and please excuse my n00bishness!

TheDingo

From the factory, the TL comes with 235/45 on all four sides. You can shift the old pair of tires to the rear. If you're not sure if old and new tires are the same size, simply look at the tires.

I use the Hankook V12 EVO tires, but I'm in Florida so that can fly this time of year. You looking specifically for winter tires?

redping3

Thank you for answering my question. Another reason I didn't simply look at the tires is because they seem to be different; I've replaced the two rear tires at a used tire shop before, and they differ from the front ones...

More summer, since I live in Southern California. The Valley is pretty plain in its weather variation haha.

ohsixMTee

iTrader: (2)

Sidewalls seem to vary quite a bit from tire to tire. It could be an optical illusion that your tires look different from one another. Just have a look at the sizes.

Bearcat94

Tires from the factory (as noted) are size 235/45-17, but they are slightly over-sized in diameter. They're about 25.6" or 25.7" in diameter depending which OE tire you got.

Most 235/45-17 tires are closer to 25.4" (iirc). That may account for any difference in appearance between OE tires and replacement tires.

PLUS you have the tread wear. From a new tire with 10/32nd tread to a worn tire with 2/32nd tread, you've lost 8/32nds - a quarter inch - on the RADIUS. That means an old tire is 1/2" shorter in diameter than a new tire.

94eg!

Typically tire shops won't let you put new tires on the front. They want to install them on the rear to reduce the likely hood of you spinning out should the car hit water and start to hydroplane. Worn tires have much less grip in the wet.

I hate cars

You're right but that line of reasoning always makes me shake my head. I guess they assume the average driver can't control a car. If it were me, I would rather the rear slide than the front end plow in a straight line where you have little to no say in what happens next.

To the OP, the tires have to be reasonably close in diameter or you will have issues with the VSA and possibly ABS.

There are so many choices of tire to choose from, what are you looking to get out of them? On one end of the spectrum, there's the Nitto NT05, probably the best summer tire out there but there are compromises. On the other end, you have your super quiet, super smooth tires. In SoCal I would stay away from all seasons unless you take the TL out of town a lot and into the snow/ice. A good high performance summer tire will suit you better and will channel water away better than an all season.