AUTONEWS

Are you allowed to fit tires from different manufacturers on your car?

Car tires wear differently between the front and rear axles. Although it is usually recommended to replace tires after about 40,000 kilometers, this figure can vary depending on the type of tire, driving style, conditions of use and regular maintenance.

Drivers with lower purchasing power often opt for the method of combining tires from different manufacturers. However, the question arises whether tires from different brands can be mixed at all…

The law does not prohibit this as long as the tread depth does not fall below the legal minimum of 1.6 mm, writes Autonews.

However, if you are replacing only two tires, they must meet one condition. The tires on the same axle must be identical in terms of brand, model, size, load and speed index, category (summer, winter, all-season) and construction. They must also have the same technical specifications.

You can drive with tires from different manufacturers, but experts do not recommend this for safety reasons, because each tire reacts differently. This difference can negatively affect grip, braking, wear and stability, especially in adverse weather conditions.

Can you mix summer and winter tires? It is also not prohibited by law, but as in the previous case, it is not recommended due to weather and road conditions. If you have no choice but to mix them, Michelin says it is wiser to install summer tires in the front and winter or all-season tires in the rear to provide better grip and reduce the possibility of skidding.

Legally, in most countries, it is permitted to mix tire brands on the same vehicle, as long as the tires on the same axle are identical. However, for safety and performance reasons, the general recommendation from manufacturers and experts is that all four tires be the same brand and model.

Can there be different levels of wear on the front and rear tires? Car tires wear differently on the front and rear. When you buy a new car or replace all four tires at once, the tires on a front-wheel drive car tend to wear faster than the rear tires. Therefore, it's normal for there to be differences in tread depth between the front and rear tires. The law doesn't prohibit this, as long as the wear indicators aren't reached.

Changing two new tires: should you put them on the front or rear? Tires with deeper tread on the rear axle provide better handling, wet grip, and water evacuation, thus helping to prevent oversteer and loss of vehicle stability on wet surfaces. Tires with deeper tread on the front axle can improve straight-line braking on wet surfaces and stopping distance.

Is it possible to put different brands of tires on the front and rear? There's no law prohibiting it. For example, you can install MICHELIN tires on the front and tires of another brand on the rear.

Can the front and rear tires have different tread patterns? We've seen that it's possible to install tires of different brands on the front and rear. It's also possible to install tires of the same brand with different tread patterns on the front and rear.

Is it possible to mix winter and summer tires on the front and rear? Legally, this isn't prohibited, but it's not what Michelin experts recommend. Why? Because road and weather conditions can cause the tires to behave differently. For example, if you install summer tires on the front and winter tires on the rear: in winter, your rear tires will have good grip and you won't risk skidding.

On the other hand, in summer, the opposite is true: summer tires have better grip on dry roads, and there's a risk of "oversteer" with winter tires on the rear. Oversteer occurs when the car turns more than the steering wheel tells it to: it's the beginning of a spin. Therefore, it is not recommended to install different season tires on the front and rear, but if this is the case, it is preferable to install summer tires on the front and 4-season or winter tires on the rear.

Is it possible to fit tires of different brands, tread patterns, depths, or seasons on the same axle? This is generally prohibited by law. On the same axle, the tires must be the same model. However, there is a tolerance for temporary use. For example, if you have a flat tire and are driving with the spare tire, you should contact a professional as soon as possible to replace the tire.

Why is it prohibited? It's a matter of dimensions. Different tire manufacturers use different diameters for different tire models. Therefore, the circumference can vary if you fit a different tire on the same axle, which can lead to ESP (Electronic Stability Program) malfunctions, as well as indirect inflation pressure measurements.

If the circumference on the left and right sides is not the same, there will be a difference in rotation speed, and the sensor, interpreting that the tire is underinflated, will send an alert. Furthermore, this can cause the vehicle to pull to one side of the road or react differently on wet roads, depending on whether you turn left or right.

Different tread depths on the left and right: Should I replace both tires if I have a flat? If you have a flat tire, your mechanic will either repair it, if repairable, or replace it with a new one.

If there is not much difference between the two tread depths, he will replace only the flat tire. Otherwise, he will recommend replacing both tires.

Tire Mixing in 4x4s: The Impact of Wheels on the Differential...When cornering, the inside wheel must rotate slower than the outside wheel because the magnitude of the two circles is not the same. This is why the differential regulates and prevents both wheels from rotating at the same speed when cornering. In 4x4 vehicles, tires are designed with different rolling circumferences at the front and rear. They are equipped with a differential that manages the distribution of force sent to the front and rear according to these different circumferences.

If you install tires with different circumferences on your 4x4 than those designed for the vehicle, the differential will be damaged and will no longer be able to adjust. Therefore, it is essential to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for this type of vehicle. We also recommend checking the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations before installing tires with different front and rear wear on a 4x4 vehicle. If in doubt, consult a professional.

What the law says:

-On the same axle: It is illegal or not recommended to have tires of different brands, models, or specifications on the same axle (front or rear). Tires on the same axle must be the same in terms of brand, model, size, load index, and speed rating.

Between axles: Generally, it is permitted to have different tire brands on the front and rear axle, as long as the tires on each axle match.

Why should you avoid mixing tires?

-Inconsistent performance: Tires of different brands and models may have different tread patterns, rubber compounds, and performance characteristics. This can affect the vehicle's stability, traction, and handling, especially in adverse weather conditions. - Uneven wear: Tire wear can vary, causing unpredictable steering and even damage to the vehicle's transmission, especially in all-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles.

- Risk in 4WD vehicles: In four-wheel drive vehicles, it is essential that all four tires are identical. Mixing tires can cause transmission problems and illuminate the warning light on the dashboard.

- Manufacturer recommendations: Tire and automobile manufacturers generally recommend installing four identical tires to ensure optimal safety and vehicle performance.

In short, while not necessarily illegal, mixing tires from different brands is not recommended. If mixing is unavoidable, the most important rule is to ensure that the tires on each axle are identical in all specifications and that the specifications match your vehicle manufacturer's recommendations.

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