I know I will probably get slated for suggesting it, but I have a pair of Pirelli Scorpion Zeros (Mud & Snow) with 6mm Tread and a pair of Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snow tyres with 7mm tread.

I was wondering if it would be ok to run with a mix Zeros on the front and Ice and Snow on the back, all on 19 inch alloys?

I only drive a TD6 so no racing etc. Some reviews say it is ok, others push for spending a fortune on same tyres all round. My thoughts are that as long as the sides are matched there should not be too much of an issue.

Any thoughts and experiences on mixing? Tom

Current Drive
2011 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - Santorini Black - Ivory Leather

Previous Drives
2004 Model Vogue Td6 (Touchscreen) - Java Black - Parchment Leather
1994 RR Classic 3.9 V8 Soft dash - Niagara Grey - Grey Leather
1972 Series III SWB Safari - Green (Hand Painted) - Black Plastic

It may well be safe enough to do as your suggesting but I think anything that could perhaps compromise the safety or handling of vehicle is something best avoided if at all possible...just my opinion

Firstly, in the summer it probably wouldn't make a great deal of difference, but I still wouldn't do it.

Secondly, when it's cold and especially when you hit snow you'll have a big imbalance in grip levels, which will be dangerous.

Thirdly, just why?

Why not instead do the right thing and invest in another pair of summer and winter tyres and use them appropriately for the season?

Usual advice is don't mix on an axle.

Not the same, but I have Nexens on the front and Scorpions on the back (road 20"s) and no problems here.

Guess it will depend on how extreme conditions are as to whether you would notice ANY difference at all. You could see which axle combination works best for you as well.

Given all the work the car does already, 4x4, traction control, all the *** stuff (e.g. DSC/ALB), tyres play a small part in staying on the road (contentious, awaits flame war ) .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

I was thinking the same, I can't see much of a difference having winters on the rear and semi winters on the front. As long as the tread depth is good on all corners it will still have grip.

There must be plenty on here driving with same tyres all round but with different tread depths which I would have thought more of an issue. Tom

Current Drive
2011 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - Santorini Black - Ivory Leather

Previous Drives
2004 Model Vogue Td6 (Touchscreen) - Java Black - Parchment Leather
1994 RR Classic 3.9 V8 Soft dash - Niagara Grey - Grey Leather
1972 Series III SWB Safari - Green (Hand Painted) - Black Plastic

I went through 2 rear tyres on ns rear in 20k because alignment was out the others had about 7mm on each. I was going to go for 2 cheapies but managed to get 2 x Pirelli part worn tyres with 7.5 mm each on them no damage for €60 euro each fitted so same tyres fitted all round  Present :2008 TDV8 HSE
Gone Audi A5 2.7TDI
Gone Discovery 3 HSE
Gone Mercedes CLK
Gone Range Rover 2.5 DSE

I know they can be found and I have no issues with part worns. I just have two spare ice and snow Pirelli Scorpions sitting in my garage and two naked alloys to make the set.... Tom

Current Drive
2011 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - Santorini Black - Ivory Leather

Previous Drives
2004 Model Vogue Td6 (Touchscreen) - Java Black - Parchment Leather
1994 RR Classic 3.9 V8 Soft dash - Niagara Grey - Grey Leather
1972 Series III SWB Safari - Green (Hand Painted) - Black Plastic

I've come unstuck with mixing tyres and will never do it again

Mine was on a performance car & not a FFRR, but once bitten.....

Utlimately, one set will give up grip before the others, so the car will handle in an unpredictable way - either extreme under or over steer depending on which axle has the grip.

I get that in a FFRR you are way less likely to explore the limits of grip - at least in the summer - but you never know whats lurking round that bend when its raining and you're late......

However, life is about compromises - I change tyres at 3mm, always have all 4 the same and run winter tyres Nov-Apr - but accept that others don't.

I think you know what the right answer is - any compromises are up to you.

Genuine question - I don't know what the insurance situation is regarding non-matching tyres, I guess its OK as plenty of people seem to do it.

I run atrs up front and scorp zeros at the rear without issues and previously ran wranglers up front but they were low on tread. Braking and cornering under extremes was still fine for me.

The wranglers were at the end of their life which shows under braking in the wet but the current set are just great though!

If you put matching tyres on now the problem you face would be near enough the same as leaving as is really due to difference in grips between new and even slightly older tyres. FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

Some great comments, as said in an ideal world we should all be driving with 4 x identical brand new tyres with 8mm tread. But in reality this is not practical, as long as the tread depth is healthy and well balanced I am sure it will not really be noticeable. (and as long as I don't drive it like a Ferrari)

I might give it a go, with the I&S on the rear in summer and then on the front in winter. Also they are only for occasional use anyway my regulars are 20s with healthy Conti Cross Contacts all round. Tom

Current Drive
2011 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - Santorini Black - Ivory Leather

Previous Drives
2004 Model Vogue Td6 (Touchscreen) - Java Black - Parchment Leather
1994 RR Classic 3.9 V8 Soft dash - Niagara Grey - Grey Leather
1972 Series III SWB Safari - Green (Hand Painted) - Black Plastic

afaik the power ratio is 60/40 with the 60% going onto the rear so i would put and keep the deeper thread tyres on the rear.. ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
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The consensus advice is always to put the lower grip on the front axle.

However, with radically different tyres, that's not always obvious or consistent as the weather changes....

The rationale is that most people can handle understeer better than oversteer.