Two Different Size Tires?

There is one thing that I find odd about the Smart Fortwo is that they have two different size tires. I do not know the reason for having two sizes on such a small car. Even if the Fortwo had a spare (which it doesn't - it has an air pump with a can of sealant [different post]), which size would be in the vehicle (assuming one can find space for it - the Smart car is very small).

One down side of the two sizes is that one can not rotate the tires like other vehicles. One can only switch the front tires with the front tires and the back tires with the back tires. Cars with all four tires the same size, one can switch the front with the back and either side.

Would one have all the tires that same size of the front ones or the back ones? Personally I like the front two being the same size as the back ones. I like the bigger back tires. I think it would look nicer that way and would make proper tire rotation.

I don't know if all the tires the same size as the front would improve performance or make the economy better. The front two are narrower than the back ones and seem to be set closer in.

This is just my rant on the two different size tires on the Smart Fortwo.

I do not know if the different size tires are on the Forfour. The Forfour was never sold in the USA. It would not make sense that they would be but Smart might have it that way. I think the Forfour makes more sense than the Fortwo for the USA market. Smart says the market niche for a four door four seat car is crowded in the USA market. I think that is the reason to have it here in the USA since the reason it being crowded is that people want that size car; just my opinion.

This site - Tire Size - has the sizes of tires for the Smart cars.

Thomas Lee Mullins

Cafe Press and TomLeeM

Fat Tire(s), No Spare and Air Pump With Sealant

I have owned two Smart Fortwo cars. One was a 2008 Pure. The current one is a 2012 Passion. I have enjoyed driving both of them. Both are very small cars. While they is room for much in the back, there is no room for a spare tire.

I had a flat with the 2008. The valve piece that secures it was broken. It let the air out. I tried putting into place. I used the air pump and sealant (made to be used with the air pump). This did not work for long. Having driven it even for a short distance put a groove into the side of the tire. Without a spare to replace it with, I had to have it towed home so I could take the tire off and have it replaced.

More recently, I had low air with the 2012. I drove it when there was wobble type sound. I arrived to my first destination without incident. I arrived at my second destination but the tire made even louder noise. When I went to my third destination, I found the tire flat. I used the air pump and the sealant that came with it. It worked but the wobble noise was even worse. It burst on my way home. One could see the sealant leaking out from the tire. I had my 2012 towed to a car service place. The tow truck drive noticed the other tire (first left front and second right front) had also worn on the inside.

This is a downside to the Smart Fortwo, no room for a spare. I can understand not having a full size spare but they do have 'donut' spares that newer cars come with.

Another downside is the air compressor with a sealant made to work with it. It is good for small leaks. It is not good for big wholes. It is limited for what it can do. One used, you have to buy another canister of sealant.

Since the Smart Fortwo did not sell well in the USA, I guess there is a thing of being too small. Another could be the subject of this post.

Thomas Lee Mullins 

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