So I just had my first puncture in 20 years of driving - a screw embedded in the tyre very close to the tyre wall. It wasn't repairable so I've just had a new tyre fitted at a local independent outfit for the princely sum of £49 (very happy with that, was expecting it to be much more).

With it being such a new car I said I wanted a direct replacement and my car has the Bridgestone Ecopia EP25s. The new tyre is a Bridgestone Ecopia EP150. Does it matter in any way that it's not the exact same tyre?

Apologies if it's a really daft question, but as I've never had a puncture before and my Yaris only ever needed two new tyres in seven years of ownership, I'm a bit clueless about these things.

Hmmmmm I've looked around the net it just seems to me that the EP150 is a new version of the tyre. The tread is different according to these pictures i've found. I don't know if that will make any difference ? any mechanics/tyre people on here ?

EP25

EP150

I really don't know, but I would be a bit worried that if they have different grip properties etc, the car might curve instead of going straight if you need to emergency brake. On the other hand, tires are usually worn differently on each side (I think?), so maybe it's not that critical.

Hmmm, I keep telling myself that they fit tyres all the time and I should trust them to know what they're doing, but I'm a born worrier!

Hmmm, I keep telling myself that they fit tyres all the time and I should trust them to know what they're doing, but I'm a born worrier!

They look the same looking at the tyre wall, maybe they thought they were putting the same on ? Or it might not matter ? I don't know. Maybe go back and ask these questions to put your mind at ease ?

I might do that, but don't want to look like a total eejit - I really hoped someone on the forum would know about this sort of thing!

Looking at the tread there appears to be very little difference.

Personally I wouldn't worry about it as long as when youstop quickly the car goes in a straight line... meaning it's balanced under heavy braking.

Cheers BossFox, I'll test that out at an opportune time!

No, this is definitely not a dumb question! I agree with BossFox, but I would also consider wet handling.

First can I say that the following is given only so that you are fully aware of the differences. Many drivers have no concern about mixing tyres on a vehicle.

The Bridgestone charts for the Ecopia range indicate ratings for each size - for fuel efficiency, wet grip and exterior noise and these vary dependent on size and profile.

Link for the EP25 (apparently developed for the Toyota IQ):

http://www.bridgestone.eu/bfe/lineup-print/sizeavailability.jsp?pattrenname=ECOPIA%20EP25&sitestring=Bridgestone%20Europe&locale=en_US

Link for the EP150:

http://www.bridgestone.eu/bfe/lineup-print/sizeavailability.jsp?pattrenname=ECOPIA%20EP150&sitestring=Bridgestone%20Europe&locale=en_US

As you can see the ratings for each of these vary depending on tyre size. If you can no longer get a tyre of the same tread pattern and type, for the best and very safest handling characteristics you should try to get one with at least the same wet grip. The stated wet grip criteria is for handling, straight hydroplaning, cornering hydroplaning and wet circle. The new EU tyre labelling system gives wet grip ratings from A - G, with A being the best.

The 175/65/R14 Ecopia 25 has a higher wet grip rating of 'B', the Ecopia 150 has a rating of 'C' - close, but not the same.

You now have the facts! I think I would be asking the garage why they chose not to fit the same tyre (they seem to be available).

I think the new tyre ratings scheme is fantastic, mytyres publish the figures for tyres they sell (where the data is available) this makes comparing tyre models a much simpler task.

What is very interesting is how the ratings vary for the same tyre pattern from the same manufacturer across different sizes and profiles.

As you might expect wider tyres generate more road noise.

CortinaGT thank you very much for that info, very interesting. And I'm glad it turned out not to be such a dumb question after all!

I'm sure the OP will be perfectly happy with the replacement tyre.. The differences between the one originally fitted tyre and the replacement is marginal. I doubt if it is more dangerous driving with these tyres than driving on ground that has 2mm deeper tracks on one side compared to the other side.

The law (at least in Norway, and we are also using EU standards) is that the tyres on one axle (in addition to conform with the requirements when it comes to load and speed index) should be as close in thread pattern as possible to the one on the other side. This is as good as it gets. :-)

In terms of tread I have four different tyres on my car (1 Michelin, 1 GT Champiro, and 2 Bridgestones with different tread patterns) and I have not had any handling problems. The load and speed index is consistent though.

Oh and the tread is even on each axle.

Edited 12 October, 201213 yr by trundlenut

In terms of tread I have four different tyres on my car (1 Michelin, 1 GT Champiro, and 2 Bridgestones with different tread patterns) and I have not had any handling problems. The load and speed index is consistent though.

Oh and the tread is even on each axle.

Many car owners with mixed tyre combinations never have a handling problem and hopefully they never will. But it's the extreme condition situation that can find the deficiency of an incorrect match. Even ESP systems could be misled by different levels of grip on the same axle.

Thank you Snuggles, just here to help!

Edited 12 October, 201213 yr by CortinaGT

I'm sure the OP will be perfectly happy with the replacement tyre.. The differences between the one originally fitted tyre and the replacement is marginal. I doubt if it is more dangerous driving with these tyres than driving on ground that has 2mm deeper tracks on one side compared to the other side.

The law (at least in Norway, and we are also using EU standards) is that the tyres on one axle (in addition to conform with the requirements when it comes to load and speed index) should be as close in thread pattern as possible to the one on the other side. This is as good as it gets. :-)

As far as I know the only law about tyres in this country is they must be the same construction (ie Radial) on the same axle and minimum of 1.6mm tread on all. However can anyone remember when the last time you saw a cross-ply tyre on a road car?

You can legally run a car with 2 mm tread on one side and brand new (7-9mm) on the other. However I wouldn't advise you do.

Edited 13 October, 201213 yr by Jim H