can you put suv tires on a car

[SanEmily]

No, you should not put SUV tires on a standard passenger car. While the bolts might line up, the significant differences in tire size, construction, and intended use make it unsafe and impractical. SUV tires are designed for heavier vehicles with different suspension and braking systems. Using them on a lighter car can lead to inaccurate speedometer readings, poor handling, increased braking distances, and potential damage to the vehicle's drivetrain.

The core issue lies in the fundamental design differences. SUV and light truck tires (often marked with LT, like LT265/70R17) are heavier and have a stiffer, more robust sidewall to handle off-road conditions and heavier loads. Passenger car tires (marked with P, P215/55R17) are designed for a smoother ride, better fuel economy, and responsive handling on paved roads.

Here’s a quick comparison of key differences:

Feature	Passenger Car Tire (P-Metric)	SUV/Light Truck Tire (LT-Metric)
Load Capacity	Designed for the weight of a typical car.	Built to carry significantly heavier loads.
Sidewall Stiffness	Softer for comfort and road grip.	Very stiff for durability off-road.
Tread Pattern	Optimized for wet/dry pavement handling.	Often deeper, more aggressive for traction.
Weight	Lighter.	Substantially heavier, affecting performance.
Air Pressure	Requires lower PSI (e.g., 32-35 PSI).	Requires higher PSI (e.g., 45-60 PSI).

Mounting an SUV tire that is physically larger than your car's original tire can cause it to rub against the wheel well or suspension components, especially when turning. Even if the overall diameter is similar, the increased weight and stiffness will degrade your car's ride quality, making it feel harsh and unresponsive. Furthermore, your car's anti-lock braking system (ABS) and traction control are calibrated for the specific size and grip characteristics of its original tires; using mismatched tires can confuse these systems, compromising safety. The only potential exception is if the tire size is identical in all specifications to your car's original equipment, which is highly unlikely for a true SUV tire.

[VonJayce]

I tried this once on my old sedan, thinking the tougher SUV tires would last longer. It was a mistake. The ride became incredibly jarring—every crack in the road felt like a pothole. The steering felt heavy and slow to respond, and the car just didn't feel planted on the highway. I also noticed my fuel economy dropped. I switched back after just a few weeks. It’s not worth the compromise in comfort and safety.

[AidenDella]

From a technical standpoint, it's a mismatch of systems. Your car's suspension, brakes, and even its computer are engineered for a specific tire size and type. SUV tires are heavier and alter the unsprung weight, which hurts handling. The stiffer sidewalls reduce traction on pavement because the tire can't conform to the road surface as well. This mismatch can lead to unpredictable behavior in an emergency maneuver. Stick with the tires the manufacturer specified.

[SanCharlie]

Think of it like putting hiking boots on a sprinter. Sure, they're both footwear, but they're designed for completely different activities. SUV tires are the hiking boots—built for rough terrain and heavy loads. Your car is the sprinter, needing lightweight, flexible shoes for optimal performance on the track (the road). Using the wrong "shoes" will slow it down, make it clumsy, and increase the risk of injury, or in this case, mechanical failure or an accident.