4X4 Problem Solved - A Heads Up on Tire Replacement

I have a '95 Jimmy S-15, 4x4, 4.3 L, 3-button electronic 4x4 switch, and I run studded snow tires on all 4-wheels in the winter. I replaced the two rear tires 2-winters ago, as the front tires still had another season left on the tread and I was a little short on cash. Then last winter I replaced the remaining two. Not being able to get the same brand name tires, I went with another brand name and put the 2 new tires on the rear.

I had problems with the 4x4 not engaging all winter long, sometimes it would engage and other times it wouldn’t. Disconnecting the battery cable for a few minutes and then re-connecting it would allow the 4x4 to engage, but I would again have a problem in a short amount of time.

When I put my summer-tires back on in the spring the 4x4 worked great all summer. This year when I got out the studded tires, I noticed the last two I purchased were a little smaller in height than the other two, (only an inch or so) although they were labeled as the same size. I always heard the front wheels on a 4x4 need to run a little faster than the rear wheels to maintain control of the vehicle when in 4x4. So, I put the smaller tires, (the last two I bought) on the front instead of the rear. No more 4x4 problem!!

Moral of the story is: When replacing tires on a 4x4, replace all 4 at the same time and make sure all 4 are the same brand name and the same size. It’s even a good idea to stand them side by side to compare height.