Question about tires?

Will it hurt anything to have different brands of tires on the car? I got a flat on the way home from work today and now I've got a get a new tire for our Camry. The car has three Michelin tires that show very little wear. However, I suspect that those fairly normal looking Michelin tires are quite expensive (about $35 to $40 more than some of the other brands).

Lee Spain said:

Will it hurt anything to have different brands of tires on the car? I got a flat on the way home from work today and now I've got a get a new tire for our Camry. The car has three Michelin tires that show very little wear. However, I suspect that those fairly normal looking Michelin tires are quite expensive (about $35 to $40 more than some of the other brands).

Lee, I think it might be best to put two Michelins on the front and two of the same lower price tires on the back, then use the other Michelin for a full size spare. I do not think it's a good idea to mix them on each axle.

Lee so long as the tire size and the speed rating are the same it should be fine, I find that MICH tires are a little over priced have had good luck with Continental good tire for the price.
Pete

Lee, I agree with Darian. You shouldn't mix tires on the same axle. It may alter handling and breaking, especially in wet conditions. If most of your driving is at low speeds it probably isn't critical, but for $40 more I'd match what is there.

George

Lee I just wanted to add Iv been an auto tech for 40 + years use the new tire as a spare when You get a matching tire no rush as it won,t affect driving all that much so long as its the same size and if it wasn't the abs light would have come on along with the traction lamp.
Pete

Hi Lee,
For handling and a predictable grip from left to right, stay with the same type per axle. Using one of you Michelin's as a spare isn't a bad idea. For a Camry, you've got heaps of decent tires available and way better prices. I take it you don't autocross the car on weekends?

I rotate a set of six identical tires on my Jeep, and as a pair gets worn, I replace them at the same time (BF Goodrich). Long ago I raced a 914 and rotated a set of eight, also bought and sold only in matched pairs. Perellis at first then Fuldas, then BF Goodrich Comp TA. If your tires have the same tread and same depth use them on the same axle. Some can be sensitive to rotational memory. When you rotate, be sure the left tire gets marked left, right tire gets marked right, and when you buy new ones, put your best tread up front.

Thanks,
Steve

Thanks guys. I'll probably get another Michelin.