Different tyre treads?

[theelziebub]

hey all,

Does anyone know if its illegal or unsafe to drive a car with three different tyre treads?

Cheers!

[__LEE__]

as long as the speed rating and size are the same... you are safe and legal

[alvin100]

Its better to have four the same, or at least the two across the same axle line the same. It wont make a huge difference in the dry but different patterns have different ability to remove water, so you could potentially be at slightly higher risk of an accident in heavy rain. In reality if you are a sensible driver it shouldnt be a problem.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

i think you will find that the 2 back and 2 front must be the same.

[woodchopper]

And what the blazes would you know about driving with different treads Lee ??
My last car had the misfortune of suffering a puncture on its front tyre (all tyres being identical goodyears except the spare which was a michelin ).
When the said spare was put on the front the car would go round a left hand bend no problem - but when put round a right hand bend it would try and take the corner twice as sharp almost ending up losing control of the car.

My problem is people who think they know it all offering advice when they have no practical experience.
My advice from my own personal experience would be as alvin100's bettere to have 4 the same or at least 2 the same on the same axle.

[Littlejohn]

So long as it's only the tread pattern that is different:
illegal - No
Unwise and potentially unsafe - Yes.
(former MOT vehicle inspector).

[Toureman]

Dead right woodchopper, quite a few of the motoring answers are just guesses and dangerous.

If I am not 100% sure of the answer, I don't answer.

[Paul22118]

As I read this thread I am wondering if some people have grasped the wrong straw.
My understanding is that if the tyres are legal for the road in all ways (tread etc) then as long as they are the same size it is legal. This is not a situation to get into but it is legal.
What you cannot have is a mix of types. Cross ply and radial ply must not be mixed on the same axle and if there is a mix the 2 radials should be on the back and the 2 cross plys be on the front.
The ideal - all radial, all same make, all same size and wear. Any less is not ideal to the point of the illegal situation.

[__LEE__]

Woodchopper.. i would know alot more than you would ever know.

I only come on the site to help people .. no other reason..

and the reason that i think i may be able to help here is that i have been an MOT inspecter for 20 years. and i hold a current VOSA card.

you seem to want to help with this question.? but do you think you are qualified to do so? if so then please disclose.

[woodchopper]

Lee - admit it - you made a statement that was untrue - my previous experience demonstrated that - your just not a smart as u thought you were - being obvious as you can't even spell inspetor correctly.

[woodchopper]

Nor it seems can I - Lol.
Anyway since when did a mere MOT inspector run a trye distibution business ?? You may be able to spot faults on cars and be able to recognise if a tyre is legal or not - but u know nowt about tyre manufacture and handling characteristics as was plainly obvioius in your first post.
End of story.

[__LEE__]

and you know everything , don't you woodchopper?

the michelin you put on your car was probably better than your goodyear? so how did it make your car handle so poor..

it was not the tyre at fault, but more so the idiot behind the wheel..

and you still have not answered... what makes you think you know more?

[woodchopper]

Wouldn't claim to know more - just more than you on this occasion :o)

[__LEE__]

yep.. i see you are good at helping people out ..
Like on the Vectra brake problem. i suggest you stop posting on safty questions in a section you know nothing about before you help get sombody killed.

[woodchopper]

Never posted a question in the first place :o)
When your teddy gets put back in ur pram and you grow up and get an education maybe you can beome a roadsweeper - but I doubt it - Bye !