Mix & match tyres.

[colly0410]

I needed & new tyre for the upcoming MOT & before Plod pulled me over, I was having problems finding a matching make: I phoned the MOT place I normally go to for advice & he said "you can fit any make of tyre as long as it's the same size & spec as the others!" I could have sworn new regs came in that you had to have matching tyres on the same axle. Shows how little I know..

[John M0GLN]

I think the 'same size and spec' means they are matching even if they are different makes, I've had a single tyre replaced during a recent MOT test with one of a different make.

But your query made me look on the web, and I saw the AA site

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/saf...tyres.html

which surpised me with this advice,

"Generally it's good practice to fit the best/newest tyres on the rear – in wet conditions, this favours understeer rather than oversteer."

If anyone had asked me I would have said the front wheels as they do the steering, the main braking and for probably on most cars the driving.

Shows how little I know as well.

John

[colly0410]

Interesting about better/new tyres on the back, I'd have thought front as well. When I saw my ropey tyre I was going to put the spare on, then found out it's a 'skinny wheel' so that put the ky-bosh on that, I've had the car for 4 years & never knew about the 'skinny wheel' lol..

[Radio Fixer]

Shows how great modern tyres are, punctures are rare now. Some are probably driving around with the odd nail in a tyre but they seal so well.

Think this car has a full spare but its never been on the vehicle in the 8 years we have had it. So is it worth paying extra for a spare now that they are giving aerosols with new motors ... Seems not, particularly if you are low mileage < 4K a year for us.

Gary

[Skywave]

. . . I've had a single tyre replaced during a recent MOT test with one of a different make.

Ditto.

The AA site . . . . surprised me with this advice:
"Generally it's good practice to fit the best/newest tyres on the rear – in wet conditions, this favours understeer rather than oversteer."

Err, surely that depends on whether the car is front or rear-wheel drive?

Al.

[Nick]

[quote='John M0GLN' pid='45809' dateline='1403018408']
The AA site . . . . surprised me with this advice:
"Generally it's good practice to fit the best/newest tyres on the rear – in wet conditions, this favours understeer rather than oversteer."

Err, surely that depends on whether the car is front or rear-wheel drive?

Oddly, no. I have exactly the same on our Volvo v70. At the MOT last week they put the two best tyres on the rear for exactly this reason. Further, they are not the same make but identical spec with slightly different tread patterns..

[Mark Hennessy]

The question about the driven wheels (front or rear) is only a concern when accelerating. Under all other conditions, it's not really an issue; when cornering and/or braking, you want the best grip on the rear for the most predictable handling.

Generally, when you've gone into a bend too fast, the majority of drivers won't continue to accelerate, instead lifting off and perhaps braking as required. When you do these things, weight is transferred to front wheels (more so on the outer one), so increasing the grip there, while the rear wheels will have less mass pressing them down onto the tarmac, so potentially less grip. This is why it's helpful for them to be the best; both in terms of "newness" - as tyres do "go off" over their life - and in terms of tread for when there is water on the road.

I worked this out some 15-20 years ago, and remember that no-one believed me at the time. It was nice when this became "general advice".

Of course, things might be different for those who like to practice "powerslides" and similar techniques (which obviously have no place whatsoever on the public highway). Hence my mention of "the majority of drivers" above.

For those interested in improving their driving, I highly recommend picking up a copy of "Roadcraft - The Police Drivers Handbook". I bought mine shortly after passing my test, realising that what I needed most was help with attitude - like most new drivers, of course.

http://www.roadcraft.co.uk/ - take the quiz while you're there

Sadly, a lot of drivers settle into an autopilot routine, seeing little more than the back of the vehicle in front. Certainly around here, the standards are pretty terrible most of the time. This becomes acute when you cycle, though to be fair, the overwhelming majority of car drivers are very good around cyclists who are following the rules of the road.

[Skywave]

. . . . realising that what I needed most was help with attitude - like most new drivers, of course.

And not just 'new' drivers, either! Drivers of Mercedes, BMW and especially Audi cars spring to mind.

Certainly around here, [Evesham] the [driving] standards are pretty terrible most of the time.

Agreed - without any reservation whatsoever.

Al.

[colly0410]

Been looking round & seen lots of cars & vans with different makes & tread patterns on same axle, Wayne next doors got 3 different makes & treads on his car & it passed it's MOT, well after new shocks & other stuff that cost him £330, but tyres OK. His is a 51 reg, mines a 10, my tyre needs replacing because it's got a bulge in the sidewall..

[colly0410]

Well I've got the new tyre fitted & the tread looks almost the same as the other tyres, booked in for service & MOT next Tuesday, hope it doesn't cost too much..