Is it okay to mix tire brands in pairs?

[russr]

I have a 2000 Protege ES. I've got OEM tires on the rear that are heavily worn and in front I have two Sumitmo HTR+ tires that are a few months old. I am looking to ditch the rear tires and put the Sumitmo HTR+ from the front to the rear.

I was wondering if it is okay to put a different brand pair of tires in front like the BFGoodritch Traction T/A V or whether it is best to just stick with Sumitomo HTR+ since they are the same tire? Only reason I ask is because the BFGoodRich are better in snow than the Sumitomo.

Thanks

[Replica]

I've got one Yokahama ES100 on the back right and the rest are Cooper 2XS's. No problems yet...although it is quite ghetto...

[garretts77]

You should be ok as long as the tread is the same on each side of the axle. It will just look a little ghetto...

[Protege52003]

my g/f had three different brands of times on her old car. she did a lot of curbing and blew out 2 over a year. they were all the same size and had similar treads. never noticed anything bad about them.......all tires do handle different though. i bet you would not have a problem if you had the same fronts and rears?

[Pretzellogic]

Just be careful the the tires have the same general characteristics as far as handling is concerned.

Trust me. Toyo Prozes 4 on the front + Bridgestone Blizzaks on the back + AWR Sway = Newton in the driver's seat, and nearly going off the road ass-first.

[russr]

Just be careful the the tires have the same general characteristics as far as handling is concerned.

Trust me. Toyo Prozes 4 on the front + Bridgestone Blizzaks on the back + AWR Sway = Newton in the driver's seat, and nearly going off the road ass-first.

When you say that the tires should have the same general characteristics do you mean don't mix all seasons with winter or ultra high perf all season with grand touring all season? Or do you mean specifically the tread pattern? How do I check to see if they have similar tread patterns?

[toucci]

don't put tires with way less grip in the rear

this would be like wearing your front tires out then rotating them. recipie for oversteer under braking

[russr]

don't put tires with way less grip in the rear

this would be like wearing your front tires out then rotating them. recipie for oversteer under braking

That's the situation I'm in now hence I'm looking to get new tires, hence my question about whether I can mix brands. I think you misunderstood my question. The tires in front are not worn, they're only a few months on them. The new tires will be brand new and I want them in front.

[toucci]

I was just giving a general pointer to let you decide for yourself. You will be fine, but if the new tires wear at a different rate than the others handling issues may arise as one pair loses effectiveness first.

I personally think you should just put the same rubber on all 4 wheels. As others said, it isn't a desirable situation and unless you drive like a maniac and destroy your front tires on a regular basis it's not going to be in your best interest.

[Pretzellogic]

don't put tires with way less grip in the rear

this would be like wearing your front tires out then rotating them. recipie for oversteer under braking Amen.

Seriously, if you can afford it, get four tires and then rotate them properly so you have even wear.

[coke321s]

Yo man if you get new tires, put them on the rear. If you get two tires of a different brand just keep each brand on the same axle when rotating the tires.

[TX Speed Demon]

don't put tires with way less grip in the rear

this would be like wearing your front tires out then rotating them. recipie for oversteer under braking

Yes but it's soo much fun :) I've got Toyo Proxes 4 on the front and worn stock bridgestone potenzas in the back. Over the past few weeks I've noticed that I can now sort of drift around turns I would formally just pull through.