Is it ok to have different tyres at front and rear for AWD?

[wixy]

Just wondering, is it ok to have different brands of tyres at the front and rear of an AWD vehicle?

Does this void warranty?

[ultrablue]

as long as they are the same size there would be no problem

[wixy]

You sure?

From my google searching it seems that most people say it is a problem to have two different sets of tyres or tyres with different amounts of wear, on awd subarus.

Can anyone else offer any advice?

[Sentinel]

Haven't specifically heard anything relating to AWD Subi's, but if you think about logically:

For example, a car has brand A on the front, and B on the rear (which is the most likely situation.)

If brand A offers a different level of grip to brand B, it 'could' 'theoretically' induce understeer / oversteer issues when cornering, 'potentially' greater braking distances (although the efficiency of the brake is more of a contributing factor), and lastly acceleration may suffer due to poorer grip. Having differing level of wear has the same effect!

If you watch any form of car racing, especially big rear drivers, they often say that differing tyre wear has a big effect on the handling.

Lastly, just about all dealers suggest rotating your wheels/tyres at every service for this reason, unless you have directional and/or staggered wheels/tyres... Oh, and road noise may differ due to compound differences!

When you're talking about tyres, they are the only thing b/w you staying on the road and sliding off. If you're considering only buying two new tyres then don't - buy all four... No amount $$ can suffice for safety.

As for warranty - wouldn't have a clue!

Hope this helps.

Cheers

[Boxer]

Only other thing to note from your second post wixy is you stated "different amounts of wear"

Similarly to different sizes - different amounts of wear will give (very slightly) different diameters which will cause the viscous coupling (centre diff) to be constantly at a speed differential and cause heat and wear.

I wouldn't think the small difference from have tyres at differing wear would be enough to cause dramas.

[541NTT]

well i bout my wheels second hand, they had 2 good nankang tyres on them but needed 2 more, i picked up a set of bridgestone potenzas for the front (will put bridgestone all round once the rears need replacing- 19s aint cheap!) and i have no issues.

i think for general street use it doesnt really matter, if you want to track the car then i would try to have them all the same just for grip purposes- the awd diffs should only act up if the tyres were different profiles.