It’s okay to have different-sized tires on your car as long as the tires on each axle are the same. The front tires should match and the rear tires should match. If you do run different sizes, you have to adjust steering and suspension components so everything works well together.
Should I fit the same tires to every wheel position?
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.
Can I mix and match tires on my car?
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. (Some vehicles have what is known as a “staggered fitment" -- different-sized tires on the front and rear axles.)
Do tires have to comply with recommendations?
As a bare minimum, tires must conform to recommendations concerning size, load index, and speed rating as provided by the vehicle manufacturer. It’s a legal requirement in many countries. Driving a car with a set of mismatched tire sizes, constructions, load indexes, or speed ratings can pose a danger to you and other road users.
What are the advantages of matching tires?
Matched tires = more even wear. If you decide to replace one or two of the tires, the best choice is to replace them with the exact same brand, style, and size that are already on the vehicle. If this is possible, the dimensions, internal construction, materials, and tread design will be nearly identical to the tires you are replacing.
Do tires have to match exactly?
Primarily, you should avoid mixing different tire brands and different tread patterns. There are rare exceptions for approved mixed-tire fittings, but in general, manufacturers do not recommend tire mixing at all.
Can I have one tire size different than the others?
A: The mismatched tire is a dangerous situation. It should be replaced with the proper size immediately. And they have placed the tire on the worst possible end of the car, the rear. Mis-sized rear tires can lead to a loss of control under hard braking (the car can spin).
Do I need the exact same tire size?
How to make sure that rims will work with tires? Width and diameter are the two factors that determine tire and rim compatibility. For diameter you'll need to be sure that your tires and wheels are an exact match, e.g. a 215/65R17 tire will only fit on a 17" diameter wheel.
What happens if one of my tires is a different size?
If you continually use mismatched tires and wheels they will wear out unevenly and can cause problems later down the road. If you choose to drive your vehicle with mismatched wheels the same issues can result. Mismatched wheels will fit each tire differently causing uneven wear and tear.
Is it OK to have one tire different?
Reasons to Avoid Replacing Only One Tire Replacing one tire at a time can present challenges down the road since the one tire will have a different tread depth and thus different accelerating, braking, and cornering abilities than all of the others.
Can I mix tire sizes?
Drivers should avoid mixing tires with different tread patterns, internal constructions or sizes (unless front and rear staggered sizes are specified by the vehicle manufacture), and use identical tires on all of their vehicle's wheel positions in order to maintain the best control and stability.
Can I use 245 tires instead of 235?
The quick answer is yes you can replace 245/50-18 tyres with 235/50-18 but they will have 10mm (0.4 in) smaller overall diameter. Will only slightly effect speedo and odometer - ie speedo will read about 1.5% high.
Can I use 235 tires instead of 215?
215 and 235 tires are interchangeable if they come with the same tire aspect ratio and the same rim diameter.
Are 265 and 245 tires interchangeable?
The 245 35 R17 tire has a width of 245 mm, a height that is 35% of 245 mm (85.75 mm), and it is compatible with a 17-inch diameter rim. The 265 40 R17 tire has a width of 265 mm, a height that is 40% of 265 mm (106 mm), and it is compatible with a 17-inch diameter rim.
Can I use 165 tires instead of 175?
Yes, you can replace the 165 tires wit 175 tires. The circumference of the 175/65 is slightly smaller so your speedometer will read slightly lower than it did before for any given engine speed.
Can you have 2 different sets of tires on your car?
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. (Some vehicles have what is known as a “staggered fitment" -- different-sized tires on the front and rear axles.)
Is It Ok to Have Two Different Tire Brands?
Generally, drivers should have all four tires installed at the same time from the same brand. Tires wear at different rates, so having mismatched tires from various brands can affect the handling and traction, decreasing safety on the road.
Can You Have Two Different (but close) Tire Sizes on Your Car?
While vehicle manufacturers design cars that have staggered tire sizes, most vehicles should have matching tires. Late-model cars and trucks have precision engineering, so changing the sizes can hurt the alignment and suspension, eventually causing expensive damage to your car or truck.
Can You Drive With Two Snow Tires & Two Regular Tires?
Tire manufacturers create winter tires to have special treads and chemical compounds that give drivers more control on slippery roads. Snow tires have special rubber that stays flexible when the temperatures drop. Regular tires tend to stiffen in freezing temperatures.
Is It Ok To Have Mismatched Tires?
Tire manufacturers do not recommend mixing tires, ever. When you need new tires, they should all have the same tread pattern, speed rating, and size. In short, buying four matching tires is the best way to avoid damaging your vehicle’s drivetrain.
How to Extend the Life of Your Tires
Tires are expensive, so learning how to make them last longer helps you save money in the long run. With a few driving changes, you can lengthen the life of your tires.
Why are tires matched?
Matched tires = more even wear. In addition to maintaining control and stability, having a uniform set of tires lets you rotate them regularly. This helps the tires wear evenly, extending their life and making the most of your investment.
Why do tires wear unevenly?
But even with regular rotations, your tires can still wear unevenly if your vehicle has different-sized tires on the front and back (the “staggered fitment” we mentioned earlier), has an alignment or other mechanical problem , or if you don't keep up with maintenance. Even driving conditions can cause uneven wear.
What to do if a tire is no longer available?
If it's not possible (for example, if the tire is no longer available), the next best option is to choose tires in the same performance category with equivalent load ratings, speed ratings, handling, and traction characteristics as the original tires.
What is winter tire?
Winter tires with all-season or summer tires. Tires with different tread patterns. Tires from different manufacturers. Run-flat tires with non-run-flat tires. Tires with different construction characteristics or sizes.
Why are tires unbalanced?
Using tires with different performance characteristics, load ratings, speed ratings, or sizes can cause the vehicle's handling to become unbalanced, especially in bad weather.
Should I use matched tires?
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 ...
Why rotate tires?
The benefits of tire rotation. Rotating tires is a proven strategy to maximize tire service life and tire wear. The vehicle manufacturer will have custom guidance for the optimal rotation pattern and frequency. The rotation pattern depends on whether you have symmetrical, asymmetrical, or directional tires.
What is approved tire mixture?
Approved tire mixtures. Some vehicles are factory-fitted with tires of different sizes between the rear and front axles. These tire mixtures are specific to the car and will require special considerations when the time comes to replace them. Always follow the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer.
Can you replace two tires on a car?
If you are replacing only two tires on your vehicle, the new tires will probably have a deeper tread depth than the older tires. Mixing different tread depths is generally permissible. The tire industry recommends fitting the new tires onto the rear axle. This will provide greater grip to the rear axle and mitigate any potential oversteer condition ...
Can a rotated tire affect a TPMs?
Rotated tires can also affect the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), if your car is equipped with it. Consult the owner’s manual or a qualified service professional to make the proper adjustments and recalibrate the system.
Can you mix tires with different load indexes?
That means installing a pair of identical tires on the rear axle, or a pair of identical tires to the front. It may also be possible to mix tires with different load indexes and speed ratings if the load index and speed symbols are higher than the minimum threshold recommended by the vehicle manufacturer (extra load vs. standard load).
Do you adjust air pressure on a new tire?
Speaking of air pressure, you should also adjust the air pressure according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation for the new wheel position, as the specific pressures for the front tires and rear tires may differ. Rotated tires can also affect the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), if your car is equipped with it.
Can you mix tires?
In this section, you’ll learn the critical information about mixing tires on your vehicle. Primarily, you should avoid mixing different tire brands and different tread patterns. There are rare exceptions for approved mixed-tire fittings, but in general, manufacturers do not recommend tire mixing at all.
Why should I pick a tire from the same brand?
Experts recommend that you pick a tire/s from the same brand because it will have almost the same dimensions, material make, tread design, and internal construction. Installing a tire from the same brand will also ensure it has the same number of revolutions per mile or kilometer.
When do you need to replace your tires?
So, as much as possible, you must replace all your tires when one or two have worn or blown out.
What does mismatched tires mean?
Mismatched Tires: A General Guide to Do’s and Don’ts. Mismatched tires can mean a lot of things. One is your car has a mix of all-season or summer tires with winter tires. It can also have a set of non-run-flat tires with run-flat tires. Lastly, it can also indicate that your tires have different brands, sizes, or various tread patterns.
How much tread depth should I use for a new tire?
You’ll find that most new tires have a tread depth ranging from 10/32 to 12/32 inches. If your car tires just lost between 2/32 and 4/32 of tread, then that wouldn’t be much of a difference.
Why should I put new tires on my car's front axle?
According to professionals, your new tires should be installed on the back axle because worn-out rear tires are more prone to hydroplaning. That being said, there is an exception to the rule. Apparently, you must fit the new rubbers to your car’s front axle if you have a front-wheel-drive unit for an obvious reason.
Why do you rotate your tires?
Having the same set of vehicle tires also ensures that you can maintain stability and control , and allows you to rotate the tires regularly. Remember that tire rotation is essential to extend the tire’s life and ensure even wearing.
How fast should you drive when you have a spare tire?
If you’ve no choice, like it’s the only spare tire you have during a tire problem, make sure you drive at a speed lower than 80KPH or 50MPH, at a minimal distance. Make sure you have the tire replaced immediately since it can damage your car’s differential when you drive it for a more extended period.