Mixing Tyres

[Cygnus]

Hey all, I'm pretty sure by the looks of my tyres, my last stealer service did not rotate my wheels! My treads in the front wheels are becoming quite close to the wear indicator (1mm maybe?). But my rear wheels still have maybe around 1cm to the indicator. So I've ran about 25000km, and my tyres are 16" Contis.

Now, what are people's thoughts on mixing different tyres for front and rear wheels? If mixing tyres, what brand/model do you guys recommend to mix with the Contis in the back?

[leasaunce]

imo it should be ok, as long as the left and right side have the same brand of tyre.

it become a problem when you have the left shoe different to the right shoe

[MACCAA]

Not a big fan of mixing tyres.Put the good ones on the front.You'd be suprised how long the worn ones will last on the back.
Basically all the rears do is keep the bum off the ground....
Cheers
Len

[brad]

Hey all, I'm pretty sure by the looks of my tyres, my last stealer service did not rotate my wheels! My treads in the front wheels are becoming quite close to the wear indicator (1mm maybe?). But my rear wheels still have maybe around 1cm to the indicator. So I've ran about 25000km, and my tyres are 16" Contis.

Now, what are people's thoughts on mixing different tyres for front and rear wheels? If mixing tyres, what brand/model do you guys recommend to mix with the Contis in the back?

i doubt the rears have 1cm as they only came out with ~8mm but I get your meaning.

legally you can run different brands/tread patterns on the same axle but it isn't very smart because of differing levels of traction.

what you are proposing (different on front to rear) is fine. You can even run different sizes/profiles front & rear.

About the only thing i'd suggest (and millions will disagree ... /dons flame suit) is that if all your tyres are the same size, run the best tyres on the rear (if practical).

I'm not sure if they are available in the right size for your car but if you don't want Contis again, try:

• Maragoni Mythos
• falken FK452
• Bridgestone Adrenaline RE001
• federal 595RS
• Dunlop SportMaxx
• Firestone Firehawk Wide Ovals
• Pirelli Dragon

I've either driven on these or mates have recomended them. Some may not suit a Polo as they were fitted to bigger, heavier cars (Subaru Liberty size).

[McCosker]

Everything from Buses to race cars run different tread patterns on the front to the rear (steering tyres and drive tyres). so i dont see the problem with running a polo with different treads front and back. Currently i have different treads on the front and back. Like others have said, you just have to keep them in pairs and there shouldnt be a problem.

[callen]

With in three weeks of getting my car I had nails go through the side walls of two of my tyres.

I now have conti's on the back and Michelin Pilot Precedas on the front. I havn't had any problems at all and the handling actually feels much better than when the Conti's were on the front.

Just make sure the tyres that you are putting on the front are a good quality tyre so that the front and back grip is failry matched.

[Ben_GTI]

Provided the backs are the same and the fronts are the same its all good. However, if you have uni directionals on the front and directionals on the back, this can cause problems I'm told.

The fronts are the most important in a FWD car, everything happens through them. The back is just to stop the ass dragging.

[brad]

Provided the backs are the same and the fronts are the same its all good. However, if you have uni directionals on the front and directionals on the back, this can cause problems I'm told.

directionals are preferred on the steer axle if you have both types

The fronts are the most important in a FWD car, everything happens through them. The back is just to stop the ass dragging.

Until the tail hangs out or wants to lock up.

I like putting the worst on the front so they wear out quicker

[The_Hawk]

You should always put your best tyres on the ones that steer is what I have always been told, even more so in a front wheel drive car since they do everything.

[Grant]

You should always put your best tyres on the ones that steer is what I have always been told, even more so in a front wheel drive car since they do everything.

i think brad's reasoning is (correct me if im wrong) that it is preferable/safer to have the front wheels lock before the rears under heavy braking. since a wheel locks once the braking force exceeds the friction/grip. but then again thats why we have ABS..