Purchased 4runner from dealer with one odd sized tire!

[BabeGTR]

I was test fitting some snow chains the other day and realized (1.5 years after purchase) that 1 of my tires is not the same as the other 3. !!!WTF!!!

I know, how could I have overlooked this? I bought used from Toyota dealer, not certified...just a 2 year warranty. 3 Tires are 265/70/16's...The odd ball (right rear) is 255/70/16. I understand it is just a "thinner" tire, but could there be other consequences?

I called the dealer and was given a run-around and told to call back during the week. Should I pursue the matter? 1.5 years since purchase, not to mention that all the tires (Michelin L/T's) look like they have been patched? (not new from dealer)

(I know the simple answer is to replace/upgrade but these have at least another year left in them $$ )

Thanks in advance.

 

[One_96TR4]

well you obviously know what the best thing to do is (replace them all and be done with it). the deal isn;t going to do much for you since it was soo long ago. If you really want to just stay with the cheap method I would put the smaller tire on the front since you mostly drive in 2wd and leave two of the same sized tires on the back. Or another smart thing may be to check your spare, it should be a 265/70/16 and just put that on and use the 255 as the spare.

 

[pat161]

I doubt it will be a big deal but I do think that 255 will be a little shorter. The second number, IIRC, is the percentage of sidewall, so if the first number is different the second number will not represent the same tire height.

I would agree to check the spare, should be full size, if so then throw on the spare for the next year then get new tires.

 

[lee]

the 255 is about 1 inch shorter

thats significant enough to do something about it.

i would change 2 or swap out the full size spare and put the 255 as the spare.

 

[DustyHell]

I had the same problem with a car i once had. I bought it from a private party, but i thought there was something more serious wrong. The car always looked lower on one side. Took me months to figure out. Why not hastle the dealer.

 

[rook]

Tire Size Comparison

Spec Sidewall Radius Diam Circumf RP/Mile Difference
255/70-16 7.0in 15.0in 30.1in 94.4in 671 0.0%
265/70-16 7.3in 15.3in 30.6in 96.2in 659 1.8%

As you can see, there is only 1/2" difference in diameter. Just leave it on the front axle or make it your spare. Like you said, its been a year and a half with no problems, but i would not want the rear diff to have to work any more overtime.

 

[BabeGTR]

Thanks for the input.
Called the dealer, and was basically told to go *%$! myself, it had been too long. I expected that. Time to find some new shoes.