tyre pattern question

webmonkeyuk · 2 Dec 2010 at 13:04

Bit of a thick question here, but i was just wondering is it best to have the same tyre pattern on the front and back wheels or are you best with the same on the front and a different pattern on the back or does it make no difference? also i will be needing some new tyres soon and was wondering if anyone could point me towards some good one in 195/60/R15 size, after running budget tyres and then seeing online that you can get a decent name like goodyear/continental for similar prices its changed my mind somewhat

stoofa · 2 Dec 2010 at 13:21

There is nothing legally to stop you running 4 entirely different tyres with entirely different tread-patterns.
From a performance point of view, ideally you want 4 matching tyres.
It just means that you know exactly where each tyre will grip (or let go).

If you must mix then make sure that the two tyres on any one axel are the same - so replace fronts or rears.

It's advised to have the newer/best tyres on the rear of the car (with FWD) - used to always be advised to have the best on the front, but this changed a few years ago.

mjt · 2 Dec 2010 at 15:47

Matching all-round in an ideal world.
At least put the same ones on each axle if you must be *****.

Alibaba99 · 2 Dec 2010 at 17:01

Some brands actually use different tyre patterns front and rear on the same type of tyre. The P Zero used to come with a directional front for water clearance and grip and an assymetric rear biased towards traction.

webmonkeyuk · 2 Dec 2010 at 17:13

ive got the same brand on the front (Federal 657) which are rubbish and ive got 2 different brands on the back, and ive just looked today and the back one are summer tyres. ive never even bothered asking about season tyres when ive been to get some, i think i will be sticking to all season ones next time. just glad i dont need to use the car much in this weather

[TW]Fox · 2 Dec 2010 at 17:14

webmonkeyuk said:
ive got the same brand on the front (Federal 657) which are rubbish and ive got 2 different brands on the back, and ive just looked today and the back one are summer tyres. ive never even bothered asking about season tyres when ive been to get some, i think i will be sticking to all season ones next time. just glad i dont need to use the car much in this weather

Almost all tyres sold in this country are 'Summer' tyres.

webmonkeyuk · 2 Dec 2010 at 17:35

Whats the major difference between a "summer" and a "all season" tyre and would using an "all season" tyre have much benefit in our so called winter :confused:

i guess something that could deal with wet conditions allso would be good, these federal's dont seem to like the cold & wet

latercomer2 · 2 Dec 2010 at 17:52

all weather are meant to cope with all weathers - dry, wet, cold, snow etc. Bit of a jack of all trades. Check out the winter tyre thread(s).

[TW]Fox · 2 Dec 2010 at 18:06

latercomer2 said:
all weather are meant to cope with all weathers - dry, wet, cold, snow etc. Bit of a jack of all trades.

You know how the saying goes, jack of all trades master of none

latercomer2 · 2 Dec 2010 at 18:12

absolutely but anything should be better in winter than summer times, even a jack of all trades

[TW]Fox · 2 Dec 2010 at 18:16

latercomer2 said:
absolutely but anything should be better in winter than summer times, even a jack of all trades

When it snows, agreed. Just have to ask yourself if it snows enough to be worth the significant performance degredation for 9 months of the year.