Different tread same axle

D

DavidB

Member
Any thoughts on if this is a problem or not? Basically my Z4M had Dunlop Sport 9000 tyres on the rear when I bought it but the dealership found a defect in the tyre so, under warranty, replaced it. They said the Sport 9000 are not made any more so replaced it with whatever Dunlop's newer model is (can't think of it at the moment and the car isn't here).. I noticed today the tread patterns are completely different, the new Dunlop is similar to the original tyres on the front - any thoughts on if this could cause any issues with the 9000 opposite?
 
I personally wouldn't drive with different tread on the same axle but plenty would. I don't suppose there is 100% conclusive evidence either way, not enough to make the dealer swap out the tyre anyway, so it would come down to you.
 
what wondermike said...

but under normal driving condition probably wont make much difference. Get into higher speeds and handling on each side will be different.
 
Ask yourself this - 'Would you wear different shoes on each foot?' Probably not..... Maybe OK to mix tread for low speeds but as the only safe point of contact your car has with the road is through the tyre footprint then I would suggest same tyres/tread on each axle.
 
Email Dunlop and ask them for an opinion if it is safe to drive that way or if the other tyre should be replaced.

Don't use leading questionning, but once armed with a reply then you are sure and can either drive in confidence or armed with appropriate information can ask the dealer to change the other tyre.
 
Thanks for all your advice, I emailed Dunlop and they replied instantly:

"Goodyear Dunlop, many of our competitors, and many motoring organisations however take this further and recommend tyres of the same construction and pattern should be matched across the axle, so aiding equal handling especially in the event of extreme driving conditions. By this we include harsh braking. In some countries, such as France, mixing tyre brands across the axle is illegal.

The mixing issue also applies to tread depths as well. A tyre with 7mm of tread is going to have better water dispersion characteristics than a tyre nearing the minimum tread depth law. This means in some driving conditions tyres with different states of wear may not react in the same manner across the axle.

The choice is yours / the bill payers as to mixing tyres but, to ensure best and safest driving conditions, we advise fitting tyres with equal performance across the axle.

Regards

Product Support & Service"

Pretty much what you've said - the dealership are seeing what they can do, will report back later...
 
Glad you did write and that they were courteous enough to reply in an instant. It's great to have such a definitive response to these things.

Great ammo to take back to the dealer. :)
 
Dealer spoke to the tyre company they used who agreed it wasn't good to have different treads on the same axle - wonder if they knew that from the start and tried to get away with it. Anyway they are replacing the other tyre for no cost - I believe they are Dunlop Sport MAXX GT tyres :thumbsup:
 
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