sosonic

I usually get and use tires all of the same brand tire and and tire weight.

Anyway, I replaced the front OEM (Potenza 040) with the Potenza 050A tires. Just when I did that (that's how these things work out) a "pal" wants to give me a deal on some new Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD07 tires.

I noticed the weight of the tires were different Potenza = 27 lbs vs Yokohama = 25 lbs. The 2 tires are pretty close overall and would be the same size 225/45 18in. However, I do know of people that mix different sizes for front and back... Anyway, it could be Potenza 050A in front and Yokohama Neova AD07 in back...

Does anybody think the slight difference in weight makes any difference? I've heard conflicting info. on this.

SmokeyTheBalrog

It is my understanding, that it is a VERY bad idea to mix tires. You want the same kind of traction / tread on ALL 4 wheels. You are asking for trouble if you don't have the EXACT same tire on all 4 wheels.

Even mixing 040 and 050A is a very very bad idea.

Good luck missed the next tree, you'll need it.

sosonic

Ouch... I do plan to replace the other 2 pretty soon.

But mixing the 040 and 050A is not as bad as you make it seem. Granted, I'm not pulling high g turns and racing on a track, but the car is not so unstable that I'm barely missing trees and spinning out everywhere. You actually don't really notice the difference. Well except for LESS road noise as the Potenza 040s are some loud suckers... The Potenza 050As are quieter.

SmokeyTheBalrog

I was exaggerating/joking/being sarcastic

Tires are the single most important part of your car. The rest of your car is both useless and pointless without them.

Consider, your ENTIRE car is FLOATING in mid-air. The ONLY thing that moves or changes the direction of your car are you tires. Specifically, the roughly 1 foot by 1 foot square where the road meets you tire.

I've seen econo cars turn from dangerous in dry weather to competent all weather cars just by putting decent tires on. I've seen decent cars turn in dangerous cars by putting bas tires on.

Having different tires means that each set will act different under different circumstances.

MazdaJeff

I was wondering about this as well. When I was looking for a new car I test drove the 350z GT. The car comes with a 19" rear and 18" front. I wonder how this affects the car.

I'm not so sure the tire weights make a big diffrecne. Many people here stagger tires that are different weights.

Typically for AWD you want to keep all four corners the same, however for a RWD I don't think it is a big deal.

NotAPreppie

I have replaced tires in "axle pairs" before without any issues. In an even more frightening scenario, I have a buddy who replaced on blown Kumho ASX with an AST and he hasn't had any problems (yet).

That said, it's always best to replace all four tires at once. Even replacing them in axle pairs you can bias traction front or rear in unpredictable ways.

SmokeyTheBalrog

Many cars will have different sized tires (read staggered) but they are the same make/model/version of the tire. If your car is going to turn, you want the sane tire on all 4 corners.

If you are only going in a straight line (dedicated drag strip car) then front /rear differences are fine.

For the 350z some magazine decided to see if the could make the z really perform on a twisty track. One of the first steps was loosing the staggered wheels.

Read the stickies:
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-55/so-you-think-staggered-tires-wheels-great-idea-50607/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-55/effects-wheel-size-weight-performance-51865/

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

the whole weight thing is way over rated, grip trumps weight in most cases

but to answer the question, only GOD can tell the difference in having a pair of tires weighing 25 lbs each vs 27 lbs

MazdaJeff

I've seen the stickies. Interesting on the 350.

Thanks

SmokeyTheBalrog

The story about the 350 is in the first sticky I linked too.