captain mercury

I did some searching, but only came across this thread:

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ht=mixed+tires

just wanted to get some fresh answers and specifically for the rx-8.

My rear tires are ready to be changed, so I'm planning on picking up some new ones. My question is: since my front tires are still in great shape, do i need to replace all 4 at once? I'm definitely not getting the Potenza's again, so they'll be a different tire altogether than what is stock. it seems logical to me that as long as i'm not mixing Left to Right it should be okay. any experts disagree???

Thanks!

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

you can rotate your tires.

RotrDoc

I might get flamed for this--as I'm sure that those who are looking for peak performance will disagree--

I ran a pair of the OEM Dunlops on one axle while the last pair of OEM Bridgestones wore out. (I'm now running all four Kumho SPT). Keep all four the same type of tire (i.e. Summer high performance) and keep a matched pair on each axle, and you'll do fine.

But, as I also learned: monitoring tire wear and regular rotation will keep you from needing to do this again next time.

SymSym

You must not mix tyres o nthe same axle. It is best to keep the same tyres all round as it may affect the handling and balance of the car if different brands are used.

captain mercury

as long as the tires that share an axle are identical, there should be no problems?
thanks for all your quick responses.

i think i'll keep my good potenza's on the front (at least for a little while) and get Kumho SPT's for the rear (cant pass on a excellent reviewed tire for that great price).

iridearocket

Why don't you get 2 new tires for the front and put your existing ones on the rear... Do burnouts everywhere you go for 2 months, and then get 2 new tires for the rear that match up. Lots of fun and at least you spread out your payments, with a great end result !!!

captain mercury

hahaha! that is what i plan to do with my 'bald' rear tires before getting them switched out. as soon as i have my new tires on order im going to find a big empty parking lot somewhere to make some noise and smoke.

dsmdriver

iTrader: (3)

Being that he already ate the rears long before the fronts, I'm assuming burnouts are already a part of his daily diet.

Try going around a corner quickly sometime

Skythe

Having come from a couple of cars with mixed tires, I can atest from personal experience. The different tread patterns can cause minor instability when cornering or going over non-uniform roadway surfaces, and driving in the rain with mixed tires can be a gamble. Just be sure to get tires of the same speed rating. Here are a couple of articles that that should give you more insight.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...currentpage=31

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...currentpage=35

captain mercury

i HAVE NOT done a single burn out yet, in my 10 months of ownership!!!
seriously.

but i LOVE to corner at high speeds, which is a part of my daily diet. i have a pleasant, curvy, and usually empty road home.

Razz1

Check the tire height. They must be the same tire height or you will have problems.

Just make sure you get a 45 height and you will be fine.

Gord96BRG

Logically? Of course the handling will be affected. Replacement tires of a different brand, tread pattern, rubber compound, tread depth, characteristic change when heated - all will contribute to the new tires having different braking, cornering, wet traction, characteristics than the old tires.

Further, logically that means that you can't expect the braking threshhold with the new tires to be at the same force as the old tires - so braking limits will be different. Likewise, cornering limits will be quite different, and the behavior of the new tires at the limit will likely be quite different as well. Depending on whether you put them on the front or rear, you WILL see more understeer or oversteer than with 4 tires of the same brand, age, and wear, perhaps of the 'snap' variety (sudden breakaway).

On an average grocery getter/commuter - it won't make a difference except in emergency maneuvre situations. On a sports car where you admit you love to corner at high speeds... I would not mix different pairs of tires.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

^^ Good answer Gord

I would find some place to buy the used tires...and buy 4.

Razz1

Of course Gord has the answer but the user is intent on mixing and matching!

JordanC

Go with General Exclaim...you will love it!