A major doubt in people's minds when they are getting their tyres changed is how does having different tyres affect their car's performance? Should it be done or should it be avoided? So, we're here today to give you some much-needed clarity regarding tyre mixing and to tell you exactly what companies and professionals recommend. Let's get straight into it.
Car manufacturers have for long been against tyre mixing saying that for optimal safety and performance, "one should avoid tyre mixing at all costs." They suggest that the same tyres (size, brand. tread pattern, load index and speed rating) should be fitted to every wheel position on your car.
Primarily, it is advised that you avoid mixing different tyre brands and different tread patterns on your vehicle. You see every company manufactures tyres differently and even if the size is the same, there will be a lot that is different. There could be a difference in tread pattern, construction, load index or even speed rating.
In some countries, this is also a legal requirement as many governments have made it mandatory for all four tyres to have the same size, speed rating and load index.
What If There Is No Other Choice
We do recommend that you try to use the same tyres for your vehicle but there will always be circumstances where you might not have a choice.
Sometimes this decision will not be in your hands and a lack of availability or budget constraints will force you to mix tyres and patterns. However, you can minimize the damage by fitting a pair of tyres with the same tread patterns and brand across the same axle. That means installing a pair of identical tyres on the rear axle, or a pair of identical tyres to the front.
Also See: The Nitty-Gritties Of Wheel Balancing You Ought To Know
Mixing tyres is also possible with respect to different load indices and speed ratings. It could be that the load index and speed symbols are higher than the minimum threshold recommended by the vehicle manufacturer (extra load vs. standard load). In such situations, it is recommended that you fit the higher-rated tyres to the rear axle.
Mixing Tyres With Different Tread Depths
But what about tread depth? Let's say that you are replacing two tyres on your vehicle. This would essentially mean that two tyres on your vehicle would have a deeper tread depth in comparison to the other two.
Mixing different tread depths is considered completely alright although the best way to utilise the two new tyres would be by fitting them to the drive wheels of the car. So, the front two tyres if it is a FWD and the rear two tyres if the vehicle is a RWD.
Doing this will essentially provide greater grip to the drive wheels and mitigate potential oversteer conditions or loss of vehicle stability on slippery surfaces.
Conclusion
It's best if you avoid driving a car with a set of mismatched tyres. There could be a difference in size, tread pattern, construction, load index or even speed rating. Try to avoid such differences as much as possible. Such mismatched tyres not only pose a danger to you but also to other road users. It’s always best to follow the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications or consult a qualified tyre specialist before taking such steps.
