For optimal safety and performance, we recommend fitting the same tyres to every wheel position on your car, so you should have the same brand, size, tread pattern, load index and speed rating on the front and rear tyres.
For optimal safety and performance, Continental recommends fitting the same tires to every wheel position on your car, so drivers should have the same brand, size, tread pattern, load index, and speed rating on the front and rear tires.
It is highly recommended that drivers equip their vehicle with the same type of tyre on all 4 wheel positions. If possible, using tyres from different brands for your car should be avoided. This is to ensure safety and help you achieve the best driving performance possible.
A matched tire set is best
This helps you maintain optimum control and stability for your vehicle. Generally speaking, you shouldn't use a mixed or mismatched set of tires on your vehicle, unless the tire and/or vehicle manufacturer specifies that this is acceptable.
For all-wheel drive to work properly, all four tires must have the same tread design, make and model. If they don't, the computer won't be able to get the correct reading, which could burn out the drivetrain.
Les Schwab Tip: When possible, we recommend replacing all four tires at once for a better grip on the road. This is especially true for all-wheel-drive vehicles where differences in tread depth can cause vehicle damage.
Should I replace two or four tires? In the context of all-wheel drive vehicles, you should replace all four at the same time. On two-wheel drives, if you don't plan on replacing all four, it's best to replace in pairs, the two front or the two rear, depending on which tire(s) need replacement.
"The problem with replacing only one tire is that the new tire has deeper treads," Marchand says. "(That) can cause traction problems when cornering and even cause difficulties with the traction control system and the stability control system."
Yes, especially if it's a two-wheel-drive vehicle. As tires wear out at different rates, to prevent further wear you can just rotate them if one is more damaged than the other. However, if the car has three or four mismatched tires, this could be more problematic, as tires can't be rotated with the same effect.
But as long as you are reasonable when mixing tires on your car it won't cause an issue. Tire or vehicle manufacturer recommendations do not suggest mounting tires with different load index and speed rating markings. However, as long as the difference is not too much, they will be able to safely perform.
Because tires play such an important role in every vehicles comfort qualities and handling capabilities, it is always best to drive on tires that are identical in every detail, including tire brand, model, size, and remaining tread depth. Anything else involves some type of compromise.
If you drive a part-time 4WD vehicle it is recommended that you replace your tires in pairs. On AWD and FT-FWD vehicle, you may need to change all four tires (even if only one tire has gone bad). With AWD and FT-4WD vehicles, replacing less than 4 tires can be harmful to your vehicle's drive-train.
The old myth is that your new tires should go on the front, but in recent times, that has been proven to be unsafe for your vehicle. When replacing only 2 tires, your new tires should always go on the rear axle!
The answer is yes; you can mix tire brands and tread patterns as long as they are the same size. Mixing different brands and tread patterns can help improve traction and handling, but it's essential to ensure the tires are compatible.
A car with mismatched front and back tires should still be usable, especially if it is a two wheel drive vehicle. Tires wear out at different rates, and if one is more worn than the other, simply rotating the tires may be a possibility to prevent further wear.
Replacing only one tire can cause that tire to spin at a slower rate. This can send false signals to antilock braking systems and traction control, which can cause dangerous errors. On AWD vehicles, it can cause the system to engage for no reason, wasting fuel at best and damaging the system at worst.
"Using "matched" tires means all four tires are the same brand, design and tread depth. Mixing tire brands, tread designs and tread depths may cause components in the vehicle's driveline to fail." This necessitates that four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles use tires that are very closely matched.
Buying four tires will also open the door to cost savings per tire. Tires are periodically less expensive per tire when purchased in a set of four.
How long should your tires last? Some tires are built to reflect a warranty of approximately 100,000 km while entry-level tires have a warranty of approximately 60,000 km. Summer tires should be replaced at 3mm tread depth and winter tires, also known as snow tires should be replaced at 4mm tread depth.
Replacing just one or two tires on an AWD vehicle could cause unnecessary wear and tear on your drivetrain, or confuse the traction control system to think that you are frequently losing traction. A new tire is larger in diameter than one of the same brand, type and size that's part way through its tread life.
In the case of four wheel drive cars, you may have to change either both tyres on an axle, or even all four tyres at the same time, to avoid damaging the four wheel drive system (consult your car manufactures handbook for recommendations).
Ideally, you'd replace all four tires. But if only two need to be replaced, the new tires should go in the back, says Michelin.
Uneven tire wear is usually caused by improper alignment, overinflation, underinflation or a worn out suspension.
Trying to run with one old shoe and one new shoe would feel a bit awkward and lop-sided. The same goes for shoes (or tires) on your vehicle if you replace just one. If there are significant differences of tread wear or patterns between the tires, it will negatively impact your vehicle's stability and performance.
For optimal safety and performance, we recommend fitting the same tyres to every wheel position on your car, so you should have the same brand, size, tread pattern, load index and speed rating on the front and rear tyres.