Topic: Is it ok to install Car tires from 2 different companies ?

[bulldozer]

Hi ,

I have a Chevy cobalt front wheel drive. The tires at the back seem to be more worn out that the front ones so I am looking to just replace the back tires. I am looking into buying Goodyear from Canadiantire. This will make the front wheels make/threads different that the back ones.

Is this alright or do i need to have all similar tires?

Thanks in advance

[DrJay]

Any mechanic would immediately tell you to put on matching tires as they will wear evenly and you have matching size and tread. The only issue with missmatched tires is even though tire size might be the same, each manufacturers tire differs in performance. Now depending on the make of tires (front and back) some may argue this is a good thing and it is not uncommon for some people to put winter tires on the front or rear (depending on drive FW or RW) and leave the allseasons on the non drive wheels. 

So it is 6 of 1 half a dozen of the other here. My humble advice try it and see how it works for you. Then make the change if your not happy with it. At best you saved money on two tires. At worst you will end up with 4 new ones.

Good luck!

[HeliDriver]

There's some good info here about mixing tires: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=136

Bottom line, as long as the other two tires are similar in construction, performance category, and speed rating, you should be okay. Best is still all four tires the same though, and make sure you rotate them so you don't wind up in this situation again. 

Oh, and same with winter tires (four is best), but if you have to use just two, they always go on the rear - doesn't matter whether the car is FWD or RWD.

[Skippy]

I had more or less the same question and got some good advice on this forum about this time last year when one of my winter tires blew.  Here it is: http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,60915.0/topicseen.html

I have (actually my dad) since replaced all four tires with new Nokians, though I used to have two Blizzaks on the back.  Of course, the tires are worth more than my car!

-Lise

[bulldozer]

Thanks for all the suggestions. It seems it would be better to go with the same tires. I though I would save some money but its not an option anymore. I am out of luck anyways since I am leasing the vehicle so I need to go with manufacturer recommended.