quote:
Originally posted by Peter H:
Although the manufacturer specifically recommends against it, I have been unable to find any information regarding the specific problems that may result from mounting the Pirellis on the rear of a car that will not have the same tire type on the front (I will be running Yokohama AVS Intermediates). Any advice on this would be appreciated.
Peter,
Manufacturers claim that having two different types of tires on a car front to rear (or in any position, for that matter) can result in unpredictable handling. They say that different tread patterns can result in those patterns handling road irregularities and hydroplaning 'inconsistently with one another'. They also say that different 'sidewall deflection rates' can cause a loss of control, as well as different 'compound adhesion qualities' and 'belt construction techniques'...etc.
I'm sure that it's all true, but to what degree? (I'm guessing it's a minescule one.) I guess in the event of being that on the edge of you and your car's capabilities, wherein the tires are your toenail grip on control, anything is possible. It's likely that in 99% of those events, a loss of control would've occured anyway.
I would personally avoid mixing tires just because I like all my tires to have the same sidewall and tread pattern. I like symmetry.
I'm sure that most of us have had a car in our younger years that had different tire types and sizes on it! (You remember, it was 3 different colors!) Aside of the shimmy, a pull to the right, and shocks that went dead two years ago, (not to mention the inoperative defroster), I never felt out of control!
Michael