Is it safe to mix tyres?

by Andrew Taylor Martini Tyres

Mixing tyres generally refers to the use of more than one type/ brand/ make of tyre on a car. These tyres may not only differ in their physical makeup but also in their manufacturing and performance. The most acceptable practice is to use two separate sets of radials is for the rear and the front.

While mixing Tyres Wolverhampton one must bear in mind that every tyre manufacturer offers an ideal tyre model for their customers. This recommended tyre list is the preferred choice of radials to suit the needs of the vehicle. Usually, customers tend to mix tyres from the recommended tyres list for both their front and rear wheels. But in totality, mixing tyres is not an advantageous practice and here’s why -

Mixing of tyres for your car can have a negative effect on the vehicle’s overall performance. This is because both the front and rear tyres are of different make and model. Besides, the ideal method to equip tyres is to ensure that all of the four tyres are well suited with the exact same design specifications.
The control that the tyres bring to the car shifts, in most cases is not good. This is because this is the level of grip that is offered at the front and rear which may vary- resulting in an unequalised level of traction which is spread via the vehicle. Hence, with the front tyres gripping higher and the rear ones weaker, the overall handling of the car may suffer.
While replacing the recommended tyre formation, which is meant to equip all four wheels can lead to imbalances. As tyres play a vital role in keeping the car balanced and replacing the ideal formation can potentially disregard the balance which is meant to be brought about.
It is no doubt that an ideal set of tyres adorning all the four wheels will result in perfect alignment to keep the car stable while driving. Whereas, mixing of radial tyres can potentially lay waste to the overall vehicle stability.

So, the question arises if drivers can mix various tyre brands and tread patterns on their car?

Firstly, if you visit any mechanic from your local garage, Martini Tyres, they would try and fit the same tyre on all wheel positions of the car. However, if there is no other option but to mix tyres due to lack of availability of tyres or a restricted budget, here’s what you can do -

Create a mix of tyre brands and tread patterns. But, make sure to fit the same tread patterns and brands across the same axle. This also means installing a pair of identical tyres on the rear axle, or a pair of twin tyres in the front.

It is also possible to mix tyres with different load indexes and speed ratings. If the load index and speed symbols are high, then use the minimum threshold recommended by the car manufacturer. In this case, drivers can fit the high-rated tyres to the rear axle.

Mixing of various tread paths is permissible. The tyre industry recommends fitting new tyres on to the rear axle. This will offer greater grip to the rear axle and mitigate any potential oversteer or loss of car stability on any slippery surface. Some vehicle manufacturers recommend fitting new tyres to the front axle in case, if the car is a front-wheel drive.

In Conclusion

Although it is always good to refrain from mixing tyres, there are also some cars which are factory-fitted with tyres of different sizes. These tyre mixtures are specific to the car and need special considerations when the time comes to replace them. To ensure vehicle safety, always follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations to experience safe and comfort driving. Know more information about Tyres Horseley Fields.