Mixing tyres on one car advice

MenInBlack

Hi guys,

I got the MOT done on my car recently and was advised that the nearside tyre of my car was close to the legal limit. I was told it would be ok for a few months but knowing me I would rather get it sorted now. My question is about the brand of the tyres my car has at the moment which is landsail and I was wondering if it makes any difference if I got a different brand fitted.

I don't know why but I would rather have all four tyres of the same brand and not have mixing tyres on the one vehicle. Does it make a difference? e.g. driving conditions and what is recommended.

Thanks

daveyjp

No problem having a different brand, but its worth looking at all the tyres to see if any others may need changing soon.

Legal does not always mean safe in all conditions.

AndyMc.....

I've got a local independent tyre fitter who buys his budget tyres based on their price and quality. You may find a similar garage who can offer a compedative quality tyre at a better price than what you already have.

victor2

I would think it's good practice to have at least both fronts and both rears the same brand and similar amount of wear. On a FWD car, it's obviously the fronts that do most of the work (all the accelerating, steering, and a majority of the braking) while the rears just follow the car around. On our FWD car, new tyres always go on the back, with the back ones moving to the front. Otherwise, the rear tyres would probably perish before they were worn out.

vansboy

To answer the question, as long as the tyres are the correct size and specification for the vehicle, there is no 'need' to have them all the same.

If you can, have at least, a pair which match, left and right, with the better tread depth, on the rears.

You have a budget brand (Landsail) at moment, so if you replaced this one and the one you have been advised on, would give you a matching pair, to start you with.

Also worth looking at spare, if you have one, as this may be worn lower than the Landsail and could be replaced instead of the Landsail.

Whatever you buy, do try to go for names which are better known. Avon and Uniroyal, often are only a few pounds more than lesser known brands.

VB

Herzlos

You want the same/similar tread depth/pattern across the axle. Do you know what'd happen if one side grips better than the other?

MenInBlack

Thanks for the replies guys.

MenInBlack

Herzlos wrote: »

You want the same/similar tread depth/pattern across the axle. Do you know what'd happen if one side grips better than the other?

I have no clue lol. Sorry I am a bit of a noob when it comes to tyres and the ins and outs of cars. I was thinking that the same brand will be better only because the rest 3 tyres are the same brand. I have no clue which is why I will be taking my brother with me when I go to get the tyres fitted. I think taking my brother will be a bit of a challenge and thought I will get some advice just in case I have to go myself.

DoaM

vansboy wrote: »

If you can, have at least, a pair which match, left and right, with the better tread depth, on the rears.

Ah, ye olde debate

I prefer to have the better tread depth on the driving wheels (whichever axle that happens to be on a non-4WD vehicle), especially in winter where I'd rather have traction. Then again if the rear slides I know how to control it - others might not.

kmb500

Doesn't make a difference, you can mix and match tyres just fine and the car won't be affected. I mean if you were a racing driver you would probably want exactly the same tyres on all four, but it doesn't really matter in the real world. I would advise putting the best tyres on the front though (assuming its fwd) so if your rear ones are needing replacing, swap your fronts to the rears and put the new ones on the front.

Ebe_Scrooge

kmb500 wrote: »

I would advise putting the best tyres on the front though .

The generally-accepted advice - for most "ordinary" drivers - is to have the best tyres on the back. The reason being : If the front tyres lose grip, you get understeer which is reasonably easy to correct. If the rears lose grip, you get oversteer, which is much more difficult to deal with.


As DoaM says - for those who've been on skid training courses, and know how to recognise and control the different types of skids, then it makes sense to have the best tyres on the driven wheels. But for the majority of everyday drivers, best tyres on the back.