Mixing Tires
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Mixing Tires
Just had my 2011 Convertible in for a 15000 mile check. Discovered my OEM Goodyear F1's on the front are to the wear bar and my back tires are still in pretty good shape. I would like to replace the front tires with Michelin Super Sport Run Flats. Can anyone authoritatively tell me if this is OK or not recommended to mix brands and why? When the rear tires wear out, I am going to go with the Michelin Super Sports Run Flats. Am I pinching pennies or should I just buy the whole enchilada and be done with it? Seems a shame to discard tires that still may have another 5 to 10K miles left on them.
#2
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2016
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 8,055
Received 2,683 Likes
on
1,408 Posts
2018 C6 of Year Finalist
I don't think any tire manufacturer recommends mixing tires. Google can confirm this.
One thing almost everyone on cf agrees on is that the goodyears are terrible tires and to use any excuse to get rid of them.
Do yourself a favor and get a set of four good tires. It will be so smooth, have better traction, and be so quiet that you'll think it's a new car.
One thing almost everyone on cf agrees on is that the goodyears are terrible tires and to use any excuse to get rid of them.
Do yourself a favor and get a set of four good tires. It will be so smooth, have better traction, and be so quiet that you'll think it's a new car.
The following users liked this post:
45gunner (03-10-2017)
#3
Racer
Handling characteristics vary from tire to tire. If you aren't driving hard, you may not notice.. but I wouldn't do it. If the sidewall of the tires looks different it may be aesthetically unappealing until they all match as well.
If the other tires have 10k left of them, sounds like they are good enough to sell to somebody on craigslist who would like to use them for something stupid such as a burnout contest or "drifting."
Those clowns scour craigslist all day for scrappy tires to waste.
If the other tires have 10k left of them, sounds like they are good enough to sell to somebody on craigslist who would like to use them for something stupid such as a burnout contest or "drifting."
Those clowns scour craigslist all day for scrappy tires to waste.
#4
Burning Brakes
I have BFG on the rear and Hankooks up front and I haven't exploded or even slid off the road yet. You likely won't notice. That said, my OCD will be helping me purchase four matching new tires this summer despite the fronts being like new. As mentioned above, Craigslist has helped me sell used tires like this several times before and quickly as well.
The following users liked this post:
45gunner (03-10-2017)
#5
Retired & lovin' it!
As others have noted, you can "get by" with mixed tires but why take a chance? In the event of an unexpected emergency maneuver, the traction difference between front & rear tires might very well put you in the weeds. IMHO....not a time to be cheap.....put four good matched tires on your ride!
#6
Burning Brakes
I would buy all four but there is no major issue as long as the two fronts match and likewise with the two rears.
Last edited by MH663; 03-10-2017 at 12:46 PM.
The following users liked this post:
45gunner (03-10-2017)
The following users liked this post:
45gunner (03-10-2017)
#8
Instructor
at the moment i have Michelin on front and Bridgestone on the rears for now. drove from new orleans to nashville and back no issues. will be changing rears soon to match the front when wear tab indicates.
#9
Drifting
Member Since: Jan 2001
Location: palm harbor/murphy Fl/NC
Posts: 1,987
Received 184 Likes
on
137 Posts
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '11, '14
I think the issue here is;
What would happen if you needed the tires to save you. Mismatched tires along with old tires on one end (could) be a problem. You could get lucky or not.
No one who really knows what they r talking about is going to tell you to mix tire types and dates.
Have you noticed that everyone who is running mis matched set wants to end up with a matched set. That should tell you something. One of the big problems with Vipers is people who have old tires with great tread. They go out and don't realize that old tires get hard.
What would happen if you needed the tires to save you. Mismatched tires along with old tires on one end (could) be a problem. You could get lucky or not.
No one who really knows what they r talking about is going to tell you to mix tire types and dates.
Have you noticed that everyone who is running mis matched set wants to end up with a matched set. That should tell you something. One of the big problems with Vipers is people who have old tires with great tread. They go out and don't realize that old tires get hard.
The following users liked this post:
45gunner (03-14-2017)
#11
Le Mans Master
The fact that so many people say, "never had a problem", does not mean it is okay to do it!
We all know that we are sometimes tempted to push our cars, maybe not to the limit,but beyond what is safe. If, at the moment you are really pushing the car, something happens and you have to make a car-saving or life-saving rescue, do you want tires which are not only mismatched, but which have far different tread depths and grip capability?
Put on 4, sell the two good ones on CL, and you won't even have to think about it anymore.
We all know that we are sometimes tempted to push our cars, maybe not to the limit,but beyond what is safe. If, at the moment you are really pushing the car, something happens and you have to make a car-saving or life-saving rescue, do you want tires which are not only mismatched, but which have far different tread depths and grip capability?
Put on 4, sell the two good ones on CL, and you won't even have to think about it anymore.
#12
Burning Brakes
I seriously doubt there is anything to worry about. I can see if you mixed run flats with non run flats, or all seasons with summer tires, but with the same style of tire in the appropriate size, any crash you have or don't have won't be decided by your tires. No need for panic here. It will make a difference if your center cap isn't pointing at the valve stem though....That will put you right in the ditch
The following users liked this post:
45gunner (03-14-2017)
#13
Team Owner
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Northern, VA
Posts: 46,104
Received 2,481 Likes
on
1,944 Posts
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I think the issue here is;
What would happen if you needed the tires to save you. Mismatched tires along with old tires on one end (could) be a problem. You could get lucky or not.
No one who really knows what they r talking about is going to tell you to mix tire types and dates.
Have you noticed that everyone who is running mis matched set wants to end up with a matched set. That should tell you something. One of the big problems with Vipers is people who have old tires with great tread. They go out and don't realize that old tires get hard.
What would happen if you needed the tires to save you. Mismatched tires along with old tires on one end (could) be a problem. You could get lucky or not.
No one who really knows what they r talking about is going to tell you to mix tire types and dates.
Have you noticed that everyone who is running mis matched set wants to end up with a matched set. That should tell you something. One of the big problems with Vipers is people who have old tires with great tread. They go out and don't realize that old tires get hard.
Just my opinion. And btw, no tire co. or major tire dealer that I know of recommends putting new tires only on the front of a car. Your money, your car.
The following users liked this post:
45gunner (03-14-2017)
#14
Buy new tires, new rims, and new tpms. That's what I did. Saved the old ones just in case of emergencies.
#15
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Sep 2006
Location: Sunnyvale CA
Posts: 9,100
Received 152 Likes
on
122 Posts
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16,'19
I wonder if any tire stores refuse mix tires. The tread on my original front Goodyears wore out, but I had plenty of tread left on the rears. I had the fronts replaced with Michelins. A few years later I replaced the rears with matching Michelins. Now the front Michelins are showing signs of cracking, and Michelin has come out with an updated version of the tire. The rear tires still look great.
#16
Melting Slicks
A good friend of mine replaced his back tires with a new set of Michelin Pilot Sports but left his old Nitto front tires on. The car immediately threw a code, (can't remember the number) while he was driving it into town. Tech II said it had something to do with the tire diameter not being correct any longer.
The following users liked this post:
45gunner (03-14-2017)
#18
Drifting
...
Last edited by bigsapper; 03-13-2017 at 06:55 PM.
#19
Instructor
Seriously, though:
1. The OEM Goodyears have got to go! Trash and forget.
2. Safety first - as others have said... replacing all 4 equals reliable handling and ride quality. I don't think the perceived savings are worth it to mis-match sets.
3. The 15K mileage on the fronts is fairly consistent with other threads I've read about the life of the Goodyears. I'd be surprised if you could get another 10k out of the rears unless you are very gentle on the GO! pedal. Lots of tire info on this forum and you'll love the change to something else. (Firehawk Wide Oval Indy 500's- nonRF for me).
4. Suggestion for an alignment job if the wear on your front is not even across the tire (more wear on the inside). Also several other threads about this. A good alignment shop will adjust the camber to YOUR specs, for less aggressive driving style....if that's your style.
Replace all 4 and enjoy a totally different (improved) driving experience!