When replacing tyres, two big questions crop up and often cause doubt in people’s minds: " Should tyres be replaced in pairs? and can I have different tyres on my car? "
Many people may be tempted to save money by only replacing the most worn tyre, however this may come at a more expensive cost in the long run since having different ages, sizes or brands of tyres on your car can alter the way the vehicle is balanced. That being said, 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. Here’s why?
- Speed Rating Issues
Your tyre speed rating is the maximum speed your tyre can handle while carrying its maximum weight or load capacity. As such, having fitted tyres with varied speed ratings on each wheel could negatively affect your car’s braking and handling.
- Different Tread Pattern
Each tyre pattern is unique and optimized for specific applications to provide maximum grip and stability and a smooth, comfortable and safe drive. Hence, when you mix different tread patterns, your vehicle might present with handling issues causing you to lose control.
What If There Is No Other Choice
While we've recommend the best and safest option is to use the exact same tyres on all four-wheel positions on your vehicle, constraints such as a limited budget may force you to mix different tyres. In such scenarios, you can minimize the damage by fitting a pair of tyres with the same tread patterns and brand across the same axle.
Pro-tip: always replace tyres in pairs on the same axle — front or rear, to ensure balanced handling, safety, and even fuel economy. .
Conclusion
Want to stay safe on the road? Make sure all four tyres match in size and tread depth, and when in doubt, just check your car manufacturer’s guide or visit any of our Tyre centers countrywide for an expert advice.
If you need a fresh set of tyres, browse through our eshop catalogue. We offer a wide range of options in various sizes.