Whilst you might be a safe and smooth driver there could be occasions you will need to push your tyres to an extreme, for example harsh braking or a heavy swerve. Fitting the same construction and pattern on both axles aids equal handling.
Different brands and patterns of tyres may also vary slightly in height and the speed they roll due to their individual designs or state of wear. In some cases (especially if the vehicle is a 4x4 or has a wheel monitoring system that requires a similar rotation of the wheels) this could affect the performance or mechanics if the tyres were mixed. Often the owner’s handbook will give the vehicle manufacturers advice on the subject.
Whilst there are laws on mixing radial and crossply tyres in the UK, there is no law requiring the same pattern – the choice is yours when it comes to mixing patterns. To obtain the best and safest driving conditions we advise fitting tyres with equal performance, following the manufacturers guidance on the subject. It is worth noting that some countries do have laws on mixing. If you are planning on travelling abroad, you will need to check current laws of the country you will be visiting and those you will be driving through.
To aid equal tread wear, tyres can be rotated from front to rear at regular intervals to prolong the lifetime of your tyre. Ideally tyres should be rotated at intervals of 6000 miles for cars and around 4000 miles for 4x4 vehicles, unless the manufacturer states otherwise. It is important to note that this is only recommended for vehicles where all tyres are the same size and are not directional.
For directional tyres, rotation instructions are as follows: