Is it safe to use two different tire brands on one car? – Jalopnik

Tires are the only point of contact between a car and the road. This means that no matter how dynamic, safe or comfortable a car is, every input must be communicated to the road via the tires. Given their importance and ubiquity, the world of car tires is filled with countless brands, some more expensive than others. To ensure that every input is translated to the road as best as possible, it is ideal to use four tires of the same brand.

But is it safe to use two different tire brands on one car? According to leading brands such as Michelin And ContinentalMixing tire brands is generally not recommended. When all four tires have the same characteristics, the car responds more evenly and remains easier to control and drive, especially in challenging conditions. But what if mixing is the only choice? In that case, both manufacturers recommend installing matching tires on the rear axle.

While the same tire brand is indeed part of a safer and more consistent driving experience, tire type, size, load rating and speed rating are even more important. Also keep in mind that replacing just one tire is highly discouraged as it can negatively impact traction, suspension components, transmission, and tread wear. The general idea behind this no-no is pretty similar to why your AWD vehicle needs matching tires.

Tires on the same axle must have (at least) a similar tread depth and tread design. The front tires are designed to steer the car, and having two different tires on the front axle is like wearing two different shoes. When you need to change directions, especially quickly, the differences in how those tires manage traction can lead to uneven grip. Uneven tire wear on one side or the other of your vehicle can also lead to blowouts.

If you are using high-performance tires such as the Michelin Pilot Sport series and only need to replace two tires, the new tires should offer similar performance and tread depth. I’m thinking of models like the Pirelli P Zero Run Flats (8/32″) and Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 (8/32″), although each tire can have different tread depths based on its specific size. Regardless of which specific performance tire you choose, experts recommend keeping differences in tread depth on one axle within 2/32″ of each other.

The load indices must also be comparable to properly support the weight of your vehicle. And the new tires you get should match the speed rating of the tires you already have. To get the most out of your tires, it is essential that you rotate them with the correct mileage. Proper rotation becomes even more important with tires with different tread depths at the front and rear. It helps even out uneven wear and brings tread differences closer together over time.

Never combine different tire sizes on the same axle, run-flat and standard tires on the same car, radial and non-radial tires, or tires from different seasons (e.g. winter and summer tires). Doing so is likely to create mismatched roller diameters, and if the dimensions differ significantly, it can cause serious vehicle safety and powertrain issues.

Run-flat tires are designed with reinforced sidewalls. This means they are stiffer than standard tires and can wear out more quickly, resulting in uneven wear when driven on the same vehicle as non-run flats. The problem with mixing radial and non-radial tires has to do with different flex properties. Radial tires use cords that run perpendicular to the tread, while non-radial tires (bias-ply) have cords at a diagonal angle. When riding together, you rely on two completely different motion characteristics, which can result in loss of traction on one of the two axles.

Although all-season tires are compromised in extreme cases such as extremely cold weather, they are useful for most drivers in many scenarios. But if you have discovered the need to use summer and winter tires in different seasons, it is important that you do not use the two interchangeably. It can negatively affect the drivability of your vehicle, the tires can wear differently over time (leading to different sizes), and in some places, like Colorado, driving with summer tires during active winter traction laws can result in a fine.