Do my front tires have to match the rear?

The short answer is that, in general, manufacturers do not recommend tire mixing at all. That means having the same brand, size, tread pattern, load index, and speed rating on the front and rear tires. However, there are exceptions that can lead to mixing tire brands.

Is it OK to just replace front tires?

If your tires’ tread depth will be within 4/32” of each other, you can get away with replacing just one or two tires. If you drive an AWD vehicle, the tires must be within 2/32” of each other. But you should always check the vehicle owner’s manual to see what the manufacturer recommends.

When replacing two tires where should they go?

When tires are replaced in pairs, the new tires should always be installed on the rear axle, and the partially worn tires should be moved to the front.

Should 2 new tires go on the front or rear?

According to Tire Review, new tires should always go in the back. Although new front tires will spread water and maintain traction, worn tires in the back will hydroplane and may cause the vehicle to spin out, says Tire Review. This is the same for vehicles with rear-, front- or all-wheel drive.

Can I install two new tires instead of four?

When installing two new tires instead of four, you first want to be sure that your new tires are the same size and tire type as the ones you are replacing. Next, you want to be sure that your dealer always installs the new tires on the rear axle of your vehicle.

What happens when you replace tires in pairs?

When tires are replaced in pairs, the new pair of tires (assuming the vehicle is equipped with the same size tires all of the way around) should always be installed on the rear axle and the existing partially worn tires moved to the front axle.

Which side of the car do you put new tires on?

Next, you want to be sure that your dealer always installs the new tires on the rear axle of your vehicle. It doesn’t matter whether your vehicle is a front-, rear-, or all-wheel-drive car: if you can only replace two tires, they should ALWAYS go on the rear axle.

Should I fit the same tires to every wheel position?

For optimal safety and performance, Continental recommends fitting the same tires to every wheel position on your car, so drivers should have the same brand, size, tread pattern, load index, and speed rating on the front and rear tires.