Tire Mismatch
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 19
Likes: 6
From: Ewa Beach, HI.
Tire Mismatch
I was fortunate to have both rear tires replaced under warranty by my local Chevy dealer. One of my rear tires was punctured by road debris recently and as a result, both rear tires were replaced. The reason, Chevy would not repair a run flat or replace only one tire in lieu of two, due to safety and liability. As a result, I now have the original two front tires that are Michelin Pilot Super Sports (with 10k miles) and two new rear tires that are Michelin AS3 Plus. My car was in the shop for two weeks awaiting the tires to arrive in Hawaii and the MPSS are on a 10 week back order for Hawaii. I really like the AS3+as they are really quiet and are equally competent for my driving style which is fortunate since I had no idea the dealer ordered a different replacement tire until later. (MPSS, the back order issue)
My questions:
Is there a safety/performance issue with having a tire mismatch, rear vs front?
Should I replace the front tire to match the rear?
I ask this since I notice now that driving on the highway, the front end seems to want to wander/dart more, follow every road imperfection. Maybe in my head but I shadow the steering wheel a bit more now.
My questions:
Is there a safety/performance issue with having a tire mismatch, rear vs front?
Should I replace the front tire to match the rear?
I ask this since I notice now that driving on the highway, the front end seems to want to wander/dart more, follow every road imperfection. Maybe in my head but I shadow the steering wheel a bit more now.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 41,792
Likes: 153
From: Houston,Texas USA
I have the original Michelin Pilot Super Sports on the rear of my 2015 Coupe, with Michelin AS3 Plus, on the front.
Discount tire said that is not going to cause a safety or a performance issue.
I have noticed no difference, in the way the car drive or handles.
Discount tire said that is not going to cause a safety or a performance issue.
I have noticed no difference, in the way the car drive or handles.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 223
Likes: 166
From: Greensburg, PA
I was fortunate to have both rear tires replaced under warranty by my local Chevy dealer. One of my rear tires was punctured by road debris recently and as a result, both rear tires were replaced. The reason, Chevy would not repair a run flat or replace only one tire in lieu of two, due to safety and liability. As a result, I now have the original two front tires that are Michelin Pilot Super Sports (with 10k miles) and two new rear tires that are Michelin AS3 Plus. My car was in the shop for two weeks awaiting the tires to arrive in Hawaii and the MPSS are on a 10 week back order for Hawaii. I really like the AS3+as they are really quiet and are equally competent for my driving style which is fortunate since I had no idea the dealer ordered a different replacement tire until later. (MPSS, the back order issue)
My questions:
Is there a safety/performance issue with having a tire mismatch, rear vs front?
Should I replace the front tire to match the rear?
I ask this since I notice now that driving on the highway, the front end seems to want to wander/dart more, follow every road imperfection. Maybe in my head but I shadow the steering wheel a bit more now.
My questions:
Is there a safety/performance issue with having a tire mismatch, rear vs front?
Should I replace the front tire to match the rear?
I ask this since I notice now that driving on the highway, the front end seems to want to wander/dart more, follow every road imperfection. Maybe in my head but I shadow the steering wheel a bit more now.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,043
Likes: 9,807
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Here is what I know. At the limit (which you might get near in an emergency maneuver) you need the better handling tire in the rear. Driving around town just keeping up with traffic you won't notice a difference, however, if you need to suddenly avoid something and your maneuver pushes the tires to their grip limit then the front end will stick better than the rear and that is where the problem comes in. You always want the front to lose grip first Vs the rear. Otherwise, what is typically an exercise in controlling front understeer becomes a terror-filled ride trying to figure out why the car is pirouetting down the pavement out of control. There are millions of people who have gotten away with the setup and most tire places will have no idea there is an issue.
Bill
Bill
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 19
Likes: 6
From: Ewa Beach, HI.
Here is what I know. At the limit (which you might get near in an emergency maneuver) you need the better handling tire in the rear. Driving around town just keeping up with traffic you won't notice a difference, however, if you need to suddenly avoid something and your maneuver pushes the tires to their grip limit then the front end will stick better than the rear and that is where the problem comes in. You always want the front to lose grip first Vs the rear. Otherwise, what is typically an exercise in controlling front understeer becomes a terror-filled ride trying to figure out why the car is pirouetting down the pavement out of control. There are millions of people who have gotten away with the setup and most tire places will have no idea there is an issue.
Bill
Bill
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 19
Likes: 6
From: Ewa Beach, HI.
Replaced the front two tires to match to rears as well as had an alignment completed. The car tracks well again without wanting to dart about. Interesting for me to discover that tire mismatch (front vs rear) can have a change in the driving behavior. Side note, I had Chevy perform the installation and alignment and during a visual inspection, they discovered a crack in the rear rim (ugh!) Thankfully, I purchased the dealer offered wheel and tire insurance since I'm reading that GM is reluctant to replace under warranty.
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