Mixing tires on 99 Boxster

[jci-joe]

My 99 Boxster is in need of new rear tires. Right now there are Bridgestone S03's all around. The front tires have almost half tread left and it seems like a waste to get rid of them. I was looking at putting new S02's on the rear and keep the S03's in front.

Has anyone done this and do you see any problem. My feeling is that since the S02's will wear quicker than the S03's, when the rears wear out, I will change out all 4. My thinking is that the S02's will provide better performance than the S03's.

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

It's never recommended to mix/match tires. Especially true on a Performance Car w/ Performance Tires.

That said, you won't automatically collide with the next object you encounter, but I would definitely not take the car anywhere near it's limit with that setup.

If one simply must mix/match tires, at least keep the same tire on either side of the axle. One concern I might have are the different characteristics of the 2 Bridgestones - that they may oppose each other or heat up more, etc. I'd shoot the Tech Dept. at Bridgestone an email just to make sure you're not attempting something truly unsafe. Also, be sure to have a 4-wheel alignment done when you mount the new rubber. Good Luck...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[kls]

In a related story.... I bought my Boxster with Pilot Sports tires on the front and Toyo Proxes on the rear. I's my first Boxster, so I don't know what to compare it to. There does not seem to be a problem, other than the car does not handle ruts in pavement well. On a rutted freeway I need to keep both hands on the wheel. Should I cough up for new tires?

Mixing tires also sets-up the car for a more pronounced harmonic imbalance. Meaning road noise and potential vibrations.

Originally Posted by kls

In a related story.... I bought my Boxster with Pilot Sports tires on the front and Toyo Proxes on the rear. I's my first Boxster, so I don't know what to compare it to. There does not seem to be a problem, other than the car does not handle ruts in pavement well. On a rutted freeway I need to keep both hands on the wheel. Should I cough up for new tires?

Hi Kls:

1) What are your tire pressures?
2) What are your tread depths as measured in mm or 32's?
3) You should always have both hands on the wheel , as this is the preferred driving position.

[KevinH1990]

My owners manual says not to mix tires.

I chose to ignore that and just replaced the rears when I had a flat tire. I definitely would not mix tires on the same axle, but I haven't encountered any problems with the Toyo Proxes on the rear and Yokohomas on the front. The tread patterns are similar so that might help.

I've been using the car as a daily driver with some spirited driving on mountain roads. Before I do any high speed driving such as drivers education on a track, I plan to have matched tires all around.

[kls]

"Hi Kls:

1) What are your tire pressures?
2) What are your tread depths as measured in mm or 32's?
3) You should always have both hands on the wheel , as this is the preferred driving position."


I'm running 29 lbs in front and 36 rear. The rear tires, at their worst, have 4/32 of tread and the front 6/32.

Originally Posted by kls

"Hi Kls:

1) What are your tire pressures?
2) What are your tread depths as measured in mm or 32's?
3) You should always have both hands on the wheel , as this is the preferred driving position."


I'm running 29 lbs in front and 36 rear. The rear tires, at their worst, have 4/32 of tread and the front 6/32.

Kls, you need new rear tires...soon. When new, our tires are about 10/32's. Tires are considered "worn out" at about the 3/32nd mark.