Typically vehicle manufacturers will tell you that they do not recommend tyre mixing at all. And no matter what the situation is its always best to follow the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.

Mixing tyres can cause safety and performance issues and lead to complications down the road. However, we also know that every situation can’t be ideal. Maybe due to the lack of availability of tyres or due to budget constraints mixing tyres could be unavoidable. Here, we provide insights and specific recommendations for mixing tyres in unavoidable circumstances as well as answer the most common questions you might have about tyre mixing.

Can I use different brand tyres on my car?

Tyres from different brands might look similar, but their tread depths might vary. When you choose a different brand tyre, the tread depth and pattern may change, and it may not be comparable to your car's current tyres, which may affect grip levels when driving. Hence, it’s always recommended to have all four tyres of the same brand. However, if it’s not possible to get the same brand then mixing of brands is possible if you fix a pair of identical tyres (same brand and same tread pattern) on the rear axle or a pair of identical tyres on the front axle.

Can I mix different tread patterns on my car?

Similar to the tyre brand, having the same tread pattern on all tyres is recommended. However, if that is not possible in any given situation ensure that the tyres with the same tread pattern are placed on the same axle.

For example, the two rear tyres must be the same brand and tread pattern, and while the two front tyres can differ from the rear they must still be identical. Since the tyres on the same axle as expected to always be identical, it is important to always replace your tyres in pairs.

Can different tread depths be mixed?

Just like the tyre brand and tread pattern, mixing tread depths is ideally not recommended, but is possible in some conditions if necessary.

For instance, if you were to replace two tyres instead of four then the set of two new tyres would have more tread depth as compared to the old ones. In such a case mixing the tread depth is possible if you place the set of new tyres with maximum tread depth on the rear axle. The new tyres have a deeper tread and tend to grip the road and displace water more effectively than the old worn tyres. This is extremely important when driving in wet conditions to avoid the likelihood of spinning out of control.

Can I have different tyres on the same axle?

Mixing tyres across the same axle is especially dangerous, and it is strongly advised against. You can’t have different tyres (difference in brand, size, tread pattern, tread depth) on the same axle.

For example, during tyre replacement, if you were to fit only one new tyre to the car, it will have a higher tread depth than the other three tyres, even if they are of the same brand and tread pattern. By fitting a tyre with a difference in tread depth on the same axle you are forcing the tyres to work independently as the varying tread depth creates imbalance causing issues while driving. The same rule applies to tyre brands, tyre size and tread patterns.

Can I mix winter and summer tyres?

It is strongly recommended not to mix winter and summer tyres. Depending on the season these tyres are designed to function differently. Hence, you definitely should not mix and match those treads because doing so will cause the vehicle to become imbalanced and lose control.

Can I have different size tyres front and back?

Having different size tyres front and back is not possible for all the vehicles. However, some vehicles come fitted with tyres that are of different sizes on the rear and front axles from the factory. These tyre mixes are specific to the car and require special considerations during replacement. In this situation always follow the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer for utmost safety. And, if you are unsure visit a tyre shop near you and seek advice from the tyre experts.

Tyres with the different load indexes and speed ratings can also be used under certain conditions. To get the best performance, it is advised that all four tyres have the same load index and speed rating. You can, however, if necessary choose tyres with greater ratings as long as they are appropriate for your vehicle, but never lower.

For optimum safety and performance same brand, same tread and same size for all four tyres is the rule of thumb when replacing tyres. Tyres must, at the very least, comply with the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations for size, load index, and speed rating. Hence, whether you have a two-wheel drive,  four-wheel or all-wheel drive, whether it comes down to safety or even just the mechanical functionality of your vehicle fit the same tyres on every wheel position on your car.