What do you think about mixing different brands of tires (front to back) on the 19 in Sport Package wheels?

I have a 6 speed Sport Package G37 on order, and really want to put all-season tires on the car (I've tried using a separate set of winter tires in the past on other cars, and it doesn't work for me... Philadelphia doesn't have harsh enough winters to need pure snow tires, but summer only tires are impossible; I don't like highway driving in the winter on dry roads with snow tires, plus I like the better rain traction year-round of all-season tires). The choices are either to swap the 19 in Sport wheels for the base 18 in wheels (which come with all-season tires), or, mix tires on the 19 in wheels.

No manufacturer makes all-season tires in both the 225/45-19 front and 245/40-19 rear Sport sizes. Michelin makes the Pilot Sport A/S in the 245/40-19 rear size, and Goodyear makes the Eagle RS-A in the 225/45-19 front size. I wrote to both companies, and neither one plans to offer a tire in the other size.

The tread patterns are different, but both are Z speed rated tires. What do you think about mixing them - Goodyears on the front, and Michelin's on the rear?

Thanks!

 

I personally wouldn't do it. Here's a good article from Tirerack:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...jsp?techid=136

 

It is up to you, but that does not sound like a good idea.

 

Put 245/40/19's on the front and rear, you'll decrease understeer and the diameter will be relatively close to stock.
I would still get a second set of winter tires/wheels. They now make performance winter tires which are perfect for cars that only see a few days of snow a year, like we do in seattle. It saves wear and tear on your expensive 19's, and they perform reasonably well for a winter tire in both rain and snow. I personally run the Michelin arctic alpine PA2's, but alot of people have had good luck with the Dunlop M3's

 

I agree with redlude97, I went with 17" Dunlop M3's, and they were ten times better than the summer tires. They also save my OEM 18" rims from all the salt and sand we get thrown all over our roads first sign of snow/sleet.....

Makes good sense to switch over each season.

I wonder if the new Brake/rotor set up will play havoc on all the rim/snow set ups already purchased.......I don't think my ASA KA 3 would clear the new Calipers.......

 

+1 here

 

ok i have 245 eagle rsa 's what do u mean they dont make them in this size? I have the eagles on rear and potenzas in front. If I find potenza rears you can have my eagle rears

 

I was under the impression that it’s OK to mix tires as long as it’s in pairs. On my old G35 I replaced the two OEM rears with a different brand and had no problems. What do you experts say?

 

Dont do it or your car will only go round and round in circles.




JK......Its not ideal for maximum performance but people do it all the time. But since rears typically wear out faster then fronts just switch the fronts over to the same kind once those wear out.

 

Im from Philly also and I might just run the summer tires throughout winter. Last winter we got like 3 days where it actually amounted to anything so snow tires dont seem worth it. Just dont drive stupid and start break early when light snow comes.

 

Well, I was thinking about doing it with my wife’s IS250. The fronts were already replaced with new OEM's (the dealer did it with my wife’s OK but she did not consult me ). Now the rears are almost gone, and of course, she has different sizes front & back so I can’t just switch tires. I find the OEM Potensa’s are a bit noisy so I want to go with a quieter tire.

 

ya i even know tire guys that run different brands front to rear. not a big deal.

 

Not too big a deal unless you are tracking the car. Just dont mix winter/ summer/ all season etc.

If you want to go all seasons all around I would suggest Michelin Pilot Sport AS Plus... 245s on the front 275s on the back.