mis-matching tires on the same axle

[tonycarguy]

My cousin has a car with 3 worn tires and one unworn tire (Bridgestone). The unworn tire has about 4k miles on it. He wants to replace the 3 worn ones, and I presented two options..

1. Replace one of the worn tires with exactly the same Bridgestone tire, then mount them on the same axle. Note that this particular tire isn't a good model (high road noise and poor wet handling). Then buy two higher quality tires and place on the other axle. The result is one axle with quality tires and one with mediocre tires, but at least each axle is consistent.

2. Replace all 3 of the tires with a good brand (not the same as the Bridgestone), and accept that one axle will have mismatched tire model/make.

I couldn't convince him to replace all 4 (he's a poor student). Between 1 & 2, which is better?

 

[silverrat]

Buy different pair of good inspected used tires and match them at the axles. Usually the best way to find a cheap decent set of tires. Sets of four are usually more expensive than buying two pairs.

 

[The Critic]

1) Buy 3 tires identical to the nearly new Bridgestone

2) Sell the nearly new Bridgestone to an used tire shop, then purchase four matching tires.

I would recommend option #2.

 

[zrxkawboy]

Originally Posted By: tonycarguy
Between 1 & 2, which is better?


Personally, I'd say #1.

 

[440Magnum]

Unless you have a limited slip differential, the diameter difference from different brands IF YOU GET THE EXACT SAME SIZE is negligible. Mixing brands is OK (not ideal, but OK) but mixing sizes isn't.

If it has an LSD, then match both brand AND size on the drive axle.

 

[daves87rs]

Dare I ask which Bridgestone tire?

 

[rshaw125]

What is the car primarily used for? I have a commuter car that rarely sees 50 mph. It has 3 different brands of tires installed.
My other vehicle sees 80 on the interstate and only gets high quality matching tires.

 

[carwreck]

Option 3:

Buy 4 tires for the same price as 3 ...

Name brands like Michelin or Bridgestone have sales that give $60.00 rebate when you buy 4 tires, and you can find independent tire stores that will give free mounting/balancing with 4 tire purchase.


----------------------------------

1999 OLDS GLS

 

[tonycarguy]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
1) Buy 3 tires identical to the nearly new Bridgestone

2) Sell the nearly new Bridgestone to an used tire shop, then purchase four matching tires.

I would recommend option #2.


Option 1 isn't a consideration because then he'd have 4 poor quality tires. I did consider option 2 but I doubt we'd get much for a used tire

 

[tonycarguy]

Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Dare I ask which Bridgestone tire?


I don't remember the model but this tire gets poor ratings on a number of tire websites for wet traction and road noise. I have been in the car and agree with the road noise issue; as for wet traction I don't know personally as I've never driven it in the wet

 

[mopar_monkey]

ok, i may stir up a hornets nest here but here goes. from my thinking 2 different tires on the same axle is never a good idea, my reasoning is as follows, you have 2 different front tires, it's raining and you have to "panic stop". one tire by design and material has good grip in the rain, the other has better dry grip but isn't great in the rain, the tire that is good in the rain is going to stop the car faster then the other possibly causing a loss of control, now matching tire on the same axle but different front and rear would at least cause predictable handling and breaking. i know abs would help in this scenario but not all cars have abs, this could also apply to hitting standing water on the road, one tire hydroplanes while the other does not causing the vehicle to possible pitch sideways, but if both hydroplane relatively evenly you'll most likely go straight through it without a problem. please be easy on me!

 

[IndyIan]

I think your points are valid, but not that important. On my non-abs cars, when I'm practicing wet or dry braking its always ONE of the front tires that locks first anyways, even with identical tires.
If I was a poor student I'd watch craigslist for pairs of decent tires, use the date codes to see how old they are and then put the better pair on back. If the car needs "normal" tires, $20 each or less should be findable.

 

[PandaBear]

If the 1 new tire isn't good, I'd say get all 4 new tires and keep this around as a cold spare (in case of road hazard) or sell it on craigslist.

My guess is that "poor quality" Bridgestone is the RE92, OEM tire.

 

[javacontour]

Originally Posted By: PandaBear
If the 1 new tire isn't good, I'd say get all 4 new tires and keep this around as a cold spare (in case of road hazard) or sell it on craigslist.

My guess is that "poor quality" Bridgestone is the RE92, OEM tire.


Bingo.

Maybe even get a wheel so this lesser quality tire is ready to go as a spare. There are many buy three get one free deals going right now, so why not advise your friend get all four, and sell or spare out the lesser quality tire.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: PandaBear
If the 1 new tire isn't good, I'd say get all 4 new tires and keep this around as a cold spare (in case of road hazard) or sell it on craigslist.

My guess is that "poor quality" Bridgestone is the RE92, OEM tire.



That would work...

 

[teddyboy]

If you go with option 1, keep the lower quality Bridgestone the front as much as possible (assuming that it's a front wheel drive car). You want more bite in the back end to avoid the back end coming around on you on wet roads.