Mixing tires...do or don't?

So you get a flat tire that needs replacing and aren't sure if you should you replace the flat, all of the tires or just two? 

 

If you end up needing to replace a tire on your car, you might as well replace two or four. When choosing a new set of tires for your car, make sure you check what type your car needs first. The best option is to choose a tire that OE (original equipment or vehicle manufacturer) recommends and/or the car came with for optimal performance. However, some people may want to get a different performance out of their tires or to pay less.

If you are only getting two, match them to the remaining two tires you have on your vehicle now by size, type, tread, load index, speed symbol and possibly brand. Then put the new tires on the rear axle and move the older two to the front. If you don’t put the new tires on the back, it could lead to less grip on the road, hydroplaning and a possibility of losing control on the road.

In some countries, it is illegal to have tires that aren’t the same brand and type of tire on all four wheels.

 

If you can only afford one or really don’t want to get a pair or full set, make sure the new tire is placed on the rear axle with another tire with the deepest thread (even check the full sized spare) to avoid uneven wear or a variety of other problems.

It’s good to keep in mind that different seasoned tires and different tread tired should never be mixed.

Also, when choosing a new set/pair of tires, take into consideration the climate you live in: a lot of cars with come with all season tires, which is usually okay. But with dry, wet or snowy climates, other seasoned tires may be a better fit. Just keep with the same specs. If you do go with different specs for your tires than your car needs, be wary that it may not handle as well or wear unevenly, especially in bad weather or emergency situations. 

Some vehicles have what a “staggered fitment", which means the tires on the back need to be a different size than the front; so this is the exception to the rule.

Rotating tires can also be an important for the wear. Some vehicles don’t need it because the vehicle is aligned perfectly and all the mechanics allow the tire to wear evenly. But for the rest of us, getting your tires rotated can save and prolong the life of your tires. Your vehicle guide book should be able to tell you when to rotate them