Car Parts Faqs

Two different types of tires on one car?

So I need to replace the front two tires on my car (something like the alignment caused them to get worn down pretty bad). The rear tires have PLENTY of tread life on them, but for one reason or another I may not be able to get the same type of tire. Assuming the alignment gets fixed, and I of course will buy the same size tires. If the front two tires are a different brand/type tire than the back, will this cause issues (car is front wheel drive 01 Mazda 626) given the tires in the front and rear have different traction patterns? and/or cause issues when it comes down to having the tires rotated? I would replace all four, but it may not be economically feasible for me at this moment. ~G

Public Comments

1. Re-consider, it is a safety issue. Buy 4 new ones.
2. Absolutely not. The only difference on most passenger tires is usually the tread. Unless you buy tires of different sizes, you will be ok.
3. As long as they are the same size all around the tread pattern or brand will not matter but make sure you get that alignment situation checked out for sure or you will be buying tires every six months. Good luck.
4. well as long as the tires going across from each other are the same then i believe you will be fine. like both front tires brand a and both back tires brand b.
5. I have had two different tires before on my front wheel drive Honda Accord, and I have not yet noticed a difference in the handling.
6. the only way it would make any difference is that if you were putting radial tires and bias ply tires on. this definitely would not work. if they are the same size and they are radial tires then you will for sure be ok. also being that its a front wheel drive, i would put the new tires on the front and when you do rotate then rotate them front to back. make sure the front end work is done properly and aligned first. good luck.
7. Mis matching tread patterns of tires is not a problem, when you rotate the tires the patterns can be swapped around. Save the money no need to replace two good tires.
8. I cannot afford to replace all four tires everytime one goes bad, so I have had as many as four different brands of tires on my cars at one time. Why throw out a perfectly good tire? Alignment is one issue to make sure is okay, but also make sure the tires have proper inflation. Under or over inflated tires is the leading cause of wear.
9. Tires of different models and/or brands will have different tread patterns and possibly even different speed ratings and of course if mis-matched different amounts of wear so the performance may not be the same. However, as long as you have matched pairs on each axle - the fronts match each other and the rears match each other - you should not have any significant problems. Obviously it is ideal to replace all four at the same time. In my experience people who replace all four at the same time get better life out of there tires because they tend to take better care of them. There are times however where this is not possible/practical. When replacing only 2 tires try to match the new tires to the existing ones if possible. If you can't then try to match as closely as possible - same brand perhaps and for sure the same speed rating. When replacing only 2 tires, especially on a front wheel drive vehicle, the new tires should be installed on the REAR AXLE. Yes, that's right, the REAR AXLE. Trust me on this, I got best answer the last 4 times this issue has come up here. It is the policy of all the major tire manufacturers and the Rubber Manufacturers Association that the safest place to put 2 new tires is on the rear to prevent a spin. Michelin has a fun little video on their web site if you want to know more. I got a little long there but I hope this helps. ASE Certified Automotive Service Advisor with 5 years experience in the tire industry
10. as long as the tires are the same size it won't hurt a thing, just keep them in pairs, the same 2 new ones on the front or if you rotate them just move both new ones to the rear.