Why Mixing Tires Is a Bad Idea

While mismatched tires might not seem like a big deal, the reality is that they can actually create numerous hazards for you and your passengers when you are out on the road. If you are replacing your car’s tires in Athens County, OH, there are a few guidelines you will want to follow to make sure that your four tires work together safely and effectively. Read on to learn what could happen when the tires on your car are mixed, and find out about some of your alternative replacement options.

What happens when tires are mixed

Each tire on your car serves a specific role in connection with the other three tires that complete the full set. If just one of the tires in the set isn’t the same as the rest, the handling capability of your car could be affected, which could prove dangerous when the weather is inclement or you have to react quickly behind the wheel. Mismatching could also cause your tires to wear quickly and unevenly, forcing a premature replacement.

Tire replacement options

Under normal circumstances, when all four of your tires have worn down equally, they can all be replaced at the same time. There will be other times, however, when a full replacement of all four tires isn’t ideal, like when you have the misfortune of puncturing a brand-new tire. If only a short amount of time has passed in between your purchase and the flat tire, you should be able to successfully find a new tire that is the same brand and model as the other three that are on your car.

If you are unable to find an exact match, make sure the new tire has equivalent load and speed ratings, has a similar tread pattern and is in the same performance category as the other tires on your car. It is unsafe to try to use tires of varying sizes from different manufacturers, or to mix snow or winter tires with standard summer tires. If you need one tire to be replaced quickly, but you are not able to match any of the characteristics of the existing tires, only install a mismatched tire an emergency situation when no other options are available, and make sure to replace the odd tire as soon as you can.

At Dana’s Tire Center, we understand how dangerous mismatched tires in Athens County, OH can be, which is why our knowledgeable team of mechanics is available to help you get the tires you need to drive safely. In addition, our expansive selection of tires from the industry’s most trusted brands might be just what you need to locate the right match, whether it is a snow tire for the winter or a special set of tires for a performance vehicle. To keep your car safe on the road this winter, give us a call to learn more about all of our tire services or schedule an appointment to put a new set of tires on your vehicle.

Categorised in: Tires

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