Can I fit different branded tyres to my car?
Whenever car manufacturers produce a new model, they collaborate with tyre manufacturers to come up with the ideal set of tyres to complement its performance. And not surprisingly, those same tyre manufacturers hope that the car buyers will replace the original tyres with the same brand throughout the life of the vehicle.
If you study your vehicle’s handbook, you’re highly likely to come across the suggestion that you should make a point of replacing ‘like with like’ for the best driving results. But that isn’t always practical, or even affordable, so what are motorists supposed to do?
Two tyres rarely fail at the same time
Ideally, your vehicle’s tyres would need replacing at the exact same time, which would save an awful lot of trouble. But this isn’t a perfect world and all sorts of events can occur that damage the integrity of our vehicles’ tyres. You could hit a kerb and damage the sidewall of a tyre, for example. Or you could suffer a puncture that can’t be repaired on an otherwise perfectly roadworthy tyre.
So, what is the beleaguered driver to do when just one tyre needs replacing? Replace like with like? Or choose a different tyre altogether? Does it even have to be made by the same manufacturer?
Check your vehicle handbook
The first port of call, when confronted by a question about your vehicle that you don’t know the answer to, is to consult the owner's handbook. Your choice of tyre will depend upon what the manufacturer has to say, as some vehicles have very specific requirements. In many cases, the handbook will advise you as to whether new tyres are better fitted to the front or rear wheels. Depending on a number of factors, including whether your car is front-wheel or rear-wheel drive, the handbook may suggest specific action that needs to be taken when replacing one or more tyres.
Very often, drivers will be advised to put the new tyres on the rear axle, even if the vehicle is front-wheel drive. This should prevent any occurrences of oversteering, which could cause you to lose control in adverse road conditions.
However, newer tyres are also less prone to suffering a puncture, so putting the best tyres on the rear axle makes good sense. Punctures that affect the rear tyres have a far more significant effect on handling than punctures to the front tyre, so it’s almost always best to position newer tyres to the rear.
Match tyres across each axle
For the best results, using the exact same tyre across axles is highly recommended. And the one unbreakable rule is never to mix different treads or tyre types such as winter and all-season across an axle, as this can severely compromise road-handling and safety.
Tread patterns and tyre construction methods vary widely from manufacturer to manufacturer, which is why pairing tyres is important. However, in many cases, provided that the size and construction and overall tread patterns are compatible, it may be possible to fit different branded tyres to your vehicle. However, we strongly recommend that you seek professional advice from our experts, before attempting to mix and match your tyre brands.
Book a free tyre check
You don’t have to buy car tyres from Protyre to benefit from our free tyre safety check. Whether your vehicle is fitted with premium brand tyres by Pirelli or Bridgestone, or you opted for budget models, our tyre professionals will subject them to a thorough inspection and make you aware of any potential issues before they become a safety hazard.
