One crap tyre, will I die?

[Domski86]

Had the joy of a random puncture in the middle of nowhere last weekend. Limped it to the nearest village with copious stops and top ups with the on board compressor.

Managed to get a local mobile tyre guy out within an hour, which was lucky as don't have breakdown cover. They didn't have my current tyres in stock so just stuck on the cheapest tyre they had to get me home thinking I'd change it when back.

Not usually one to use no brand rubbish but having driven around with mismatched fronts (3x Vector 4 Seasons,1x Delinte?) I can't feel any perceptible difference. No difference in handling, noise, grip etc.

Bare in mind this a 1.2 yeti so hardly a powerhouse. Should I even bother changing it? Are the 3 good tyres making up for the rubbish one? Tempted to get my monies worth until the weather worsens, perhaps a ste summer tyre is fine until the temps drop? What would you do?

[LankyFreak]

It's a 1.2 Yeti. I think you'll be alright, and I wouldn't change it, personally.

[trickywoo]

I’d change it but with all the electronic safety we have now it’s not itself going to throw you off the road like it might without abs in an emergency stop.

[Ham_and_Jam]

Domski86 said:

Had the joy of a random puncture in the middle of nowhere last weekend. Limped it to the nearest village with copious stops and top ups with the on board compressor.

Managed to get a local mobile tyre guy out within an hour, which was lucky as don't have breakdown cover. They didn't have my current tyres in stock so just stuck on the cheapest tyre they had to get me home thinking I'd change it when back.

Not usually one to use no brand rubbish but having driven around with mismatched fronts (3x Vector 4 Seasons,1x Delinte?) I can't feel any perceptible difference. No difference in handling, noise, grip etc.

Bare in mind this a 1.2 yeti so hardly a powerhouse. Should I even bother changing it? Are the 3 good tyres making up for the rubbish one? Tempted to get my monies worth until the weather worsens, perhaps a ste summer tyre is fine until the temps drop? What would you do?

Change it. You already have 3 good tyres.

The new one is the weakest link, and it you will only find out how important it is until you really need it.

[Ham_and_Jam]

LankyFreak said:

It's a 1.2 Yeti. I think you'll be alright, and I wouldn't change it, personally.

What has the car got to do with stopping and lateral grip?

A bit of a wet or greasy conditions, and suddenly you need an emergency stop. One side of the car grips and the other not so, it could get quite messy.

Tyres are the one thing I don’t go cheap on.

[georgeyboy12345]

Might be important in a Porsche 911 GT3 and driving at maximum attack. In a 1.2 Skoda Yeti, who cares? Loads of people drive around on Ching Chong Ditchfinders every day and they don’t die. That said, I always use proper tyres like Pirelli, Goodyear, etc

[Domski86]

Noticed a big difference changing from a mix of cracked 5 year old nexens and original michelins when I first bought it to the then fresh rubber of the all seasons but perhaps age is more important than brand?

I'd prefer to have matching tyres across axles but money is a bit tight and good tyres are around £140 a corner (odd size 225/17/50) so may just have to roll with it for now.

Is matching wear a thing as well? Should I ideally have two equally worn (i.e. new) tyres on the front?

[Robertb]

I had a cheapo dealer-supplied Chinese tyre on my old X5, among three other ‘premium’ ones. I was surprised by just how bad the handling was… more than one occasion it slipped noticeably on damp bends. Changed it and all was well.

Even if you don’t change it, I’d certainly recommend testing the car where safe to do so just to get a feel for how the tyre feels and if it’s introduced any unexpected quirks.

[stevieturbo]

Yes you will die.

When ? don't know, and doubtful it will be from the tyre.

But even mild OCD would never allow me to have a vastly different tyre like that on any vehicle I own. ( work van,. no choice, haven't died yet. )

[E-bmw]

Ham_and_Jam said:

Domski86 said:

Had the joy of a random puncture in the middle of nowhere last weekend. Limped it to the nearest village with copious stops and top ups with the on board compressor.

Managed to get a local mobile tyre guy out within an hour, which was lucky as don't have breakdown cover. They didn't have my current tyres in stock so just stuck on the cheapest tyre they had to get me home thinking I'd change it when back.

Not usually one to use no brand rubbish but having driven around with mismatched fronts (3x Vector 4 Seasons,1x Delinte?) I can't feel any perceptible difference. No difference in handling, noise, grip etc.

Bare in mind this a 1.2 yeti so hardly a powerhouse. Should I even bother changing it? Are the 3 good tyres making up for the rubbish one? Tempted to get my monies worth until the weather worsens, perhaps a ste summer tyre is fine until the temps drop? What would you do?

Change it. You already have 3 good tyres.

The new one is the weakest link, and it you will only find out how important it is until you really need it.

^^^ Wot 'e said.

They are sh!t & you will only find out how bad when you REALLY don't want to, change it to match the others.