Apologies, stupid question - mixing tyres

[Petrol_fumes]

Hi guys

right I suspect this has been asked a few times, but my searches don't really give me the answers I need. I'm not a mechanically minded guy, so here goes:

In a nut shell my R32 has Falken FR452s all round (came fitted when i picked it up last month).

Problem is one just blew on the M1 and now I need a new boot (will almost certainly stick stick 2 on, but 4s excessive as the fronts are barely worn) and the 452s aren't made any more and the newer 453 is a very different tread pattern

so.... am should i be going for a tyre with a similar tread pattern/rating or feeling comfortable sticking 2 completely different (i'm thinking Mich's at the moment) boots on make a big difference?

cheers...

[Krikkit]

Replace in pairs and you'll be fine - just be careful the first time you corner hard or go through standing water, as one axle may let go much sooner than the other.

[300bhp/ton]

Petrol_fumes said:

Hi guys

right I suspect this has been asked a few times, but my searches don't really give me the answers I need. I'm not a mechanically minded guy, so here goes:

In a nut shell my R32 has Falken FR452s all round (came fitted when i picked it up last month).

Problem is one just blew on the M1 and now I need a new boot (will almost certainly stick stick 2 on, but 4s excessive as the fronts are barely worn) and the 452s aren't made any more and the newer 453 is a very different tread pattern

so.... am should i be going for a tyre with a similar tread pattern/rating or feeling comfortable sticking 2 completely different (i'm thinking Mich's at the moment) boots on make a big difference?

cheers...

Purests and perfectionist will say they must all match, or at least per axle. And to an extent I'd sort of agree.

And I think it's important to note that different cars will be more sensitive to such changes.


But I had a similar issue recently, going away and got a puncture. Couldn't get a replacement of the same tread, so went with one odd one. The car drives, brakes, steers and corners 100% the same as far as I can tell.

On another car I've run 4 different tyre combo's between all matching and mixed front/rear. The best it drove was with a mismatched set.

[simon1987]

had continentals on all four corners of my car one got a massive screw in it that couldnt be plugged (Front passenger side), Totally skint and my friend had a spare tyre that was good from a car he scrapped so got that mounted on my alloy. radically different tread pattern to whats on the other side of the axle.

Only adverse effect I have noticed is when making progress it tends to understeer easily. But 90% of the day to day commuting and going to the shops I cant tell a difference, Ride is perfect and smooth, stopping distance is the same etc.

Edited by simon1987 on Wednesday 20th February 12:41

[Caulkhead]

Mixing tyres will have an effect, but providing they are of similar quality the effect should be quite small though having said that having odd tyres always bugs me and I view it as a sign of someone who isn't into cars, so I always have four the same.

[Digitalize]

With a full set of tyres, the car will handle how the suspension wants it to effectively, and if it is standard, how the manufacturer wanted it to (obviously grip level will change, but it will be an under/over steer car)

Mixing pairs allows you to make an understeery car more oversteery simply (Although changing suspension is a better way) or vice versa.

Basically, it will be fine, just try to work out if the handling characteristics have changed.

Tyre places will say put new on back and worns on front as understeer is easier to control.