Just picked up Octavia vRS TDI Hatchback - 56 plate

I should have checked before (and I'm not going to quibble about it now) but I only noticed when I got back that the front tyres (18") are different brands...

Nearside has Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 225/40 ZR18 92Y

Offside has Falken 452 225/40 ZR18 92Y

The two rear wheels are Falken FK 452 as well.

Does it matter?

Is it better to have identical tyres on each axle?

If I have two different ones would they be better on the rear than on the front?

Is it worth switching so that I have two identical Falkens on the front and the odd Falken/Dunlops on the back?

Both front ones seem to be newer with slightly more tread left than the rear ones.

Any thoughts welcome.

Regards,

Jon

___________________________

Happy new Octavia vRS owner

Edited 13 March, 201016 yr by jonjc

Best solution is 4 identical tyres, or the same tyres on each axle.

Get one Falken and change the dunlop. (or if the dunlop is newer, change one falken) I would rather drive 4 identical tyres.

If the tyres are worn differently, the worn tyres go up front. This is contrary to what one supposes. The idea is simple, a car that understeers is easier to cope with than a car that oversteers.

Edited 13 March, 201016 yr by magic62

I'd never have different tyres on the same axle. No problems with different front to rear. I'm perverse and prefer the best tyres where the steering, and 80% of the braking are. Sorry- you know it makes sense.

Same as Magic62's advice;

Buy one Falken 452 and get rid of the Dunlop; then put the two tyres with most tread on the rear, the other two on the front.

Overall always best to have all 4 tyres the same make/model.

PS> Welcome to Briskoda; you have a great car; Enjoy it!

Edited 13 March, 201016 yr by bahnstormer vrs

I am with you there, as long as one can keep the front tyres on the road the chances are that the rear ones will follow. Vice versa it is not so true.

I believe that having different tyres can confuse the ESP as well, not worth risking it for braking as well - it's the only thing between you and the tarmac

ESP ist mostly disturbed by different circumfences of the tyres. Means if you have different sizes tyres on the car. But if the griplevels are too different ESP will have to work more under extremer conditions.

Having too much grip on the front tyres will cause the rears to loose grip if you turn in too fast. A loose rear will mostly surprise you and you will react too late. Having less grip up front mostly causes understeer, which is, under normal circumstances, controlable.

If your going far too fast, nothing will help.

Personally I've never driven with different makes/models on the same axel.

I'm happy to split front to rears.

Right now I have Bridgestone REO50A's on the front and Flaken 452's on the rear.

I'd look at the two fronts, decide which has the most life left in it and then buy a matching tyre.

What's the spare? Could you swap that in to match an existing tyre?

What's the spare? Could you swap that in to match an existing tyre?

Good answer. Is it not illegal to have different threads on the same axle? I think it is illegal here in Eire.

What are the tread depths on the two front tyres?

Just swapping the Dunlop for a 452 may be worse than what you have now.

e.g. If you have equal tread depth now and you end up with say 10mm and 4mm on a 'pair' of 452s.

Good answer. Is it not illegal to have different threads on the same axle? I think it is illegal here in Eire.

I think its illegal to mix Radial and Crossply on an axle, but that's not really relevant with modern tyres?

I'd be more worried about different tread depths, particularly on a driven axle - but that's just my 2p.

What's the spare? Could you swap that in to match an existing tyre?

The spare will likely be a 205/55 16 on a 'steelie'; so not an option.

What are the tread depths on the two front tyres?

Just swapping the Dunlop for a 452 may be worse than what you have now.

e.g. If you have equal tread depth now and you end up with say 10mm and 4mm on a 'pair' of 452s.

Very valid point! Best option would therefore be to get a pair of new Falkens.

What's in the spare well?

452's are good, and I personally would have the better tyres at the front.

For those doubters about having the best tyres on the front , I would never have near bald tyres on the rear.

I do not dispute that if the rear tyres did not grip effectively and the fronts did, then oversteer may result under certain conditions.

Edited 15 March, 201016 yr by gregoir

For those doubters about having the best tyres on the front , I would never have near bald tyres on the rear.

I do not dispute that if the rear tyres did not grip effectively and the fronts did, then oversteer may result under certain conditions.

I would never have nearly bald tyres ANYWHERE on the car. The weight of the VAG TDI engines should be sufficient to maintain understeer, even with slightly less tread on the rear...

I would never have nearly bald tyres ANYWHERE on the car. The weight of the VAG TDI engines should be sufficient to maintain understeer, even with slightly less tread on the rear...

Quite the opposite IMHO, my dear fellow.

The weight of the VAG TDI engine will provide more grip at the front,that will serve to magnify the effect of less grip being available at the back; resulting is a trip to the undergrowth!

I see your point, but ATS disagree

If you're buying two new tyres then they should go on the back and then your current "pair" should go on the front.

Every tyre place I've dealt with in the past 5+ years have said this is the recommended way of doing things.

Once upon a time it was new tyres on the front - but that hasn't been recommended to me in a long time.

Thanks all for your thoughts.

It sounds as though my current set up is not catastrophic or illegal - just not ideal.

Having just spent a load of money getting the car, it pains me to have to go straight out and buy two new tyres when there are a good few miles left on the front. Since I do about 30,000 miles a year and don't hang about I predict that new tyres will be due in a couple of months anyway so I think I'll take my chances and just wait.

Here's hoping my next post isn't a report of motorway carnage :S

Regards,

Jon