New Acura Owner

I originally posted this in the tire section but didn't get much of a response. I know there are a lot of opinionated people here and would appreciate your thoughts on my dilema. Due to a flat that couldn't be fixed, my 04 TL has one mismatched tire (Bridgestone RE950) on the rear. The tire dealer didn't have the EL42 in stock. My EL42's have only 1,500 miles on them.

1) Is it resonablly safe to keep the RE950 on the car and just rotate the other 3 tires. I was told by the tire shop that I shouldn't notice the difference in tires if it stays on the rear?

2) If no to the above, then should I invest in another EL42, Tire Rack has them very cheap ($115), or an RE950? Yes, I know the reported problems with the EL42, but hadn't noticed any issues with them on my car.

Personally, I wouldn't have purchased the RE950 to begin with, but didn't want to have the old tire remounted and deal with the slow leak. This happened on a Sunday and my options were limited. I only use the car on the weekends so logistically it was difficult for me not to get a new tire the day I was at the tire shop.

I have an extra rim and can mount the 5th tire as a full size spare and keep it available for use in case I get another flat.

Thanks for your advise.

Champcar1

I think I would go ahead and buy another EL42 and have it put on and use the RE950 as your spare. I wouldn't mix and match tires like that. It may not necessarily be dangerous, but it certainly could and probably will have some effect on handling. If you absolutely must mix and match then do it two at a time and put both on one end of the car or the other at the same time. In other words, don't put one on the LF and one on the RR, put them both on the front or the rear.
Hope this helps.

rets

You could either get 1 EL42 or 2 better tires or 4 better tires... IMHO... I prefer to have two same tires in the front/back.

Thorin78

any one know if the spare tire in the trunk can be replaced w/ a full size spare? I'm guessing no, but doesn't hurt to ask.

Ron A

This has been covered before, but I will repeat: a full size spare will fit in the opening, but it is about 6-8" (I forget my exact measurement) taller than the small spare, so the floor of the trunk will not sit flat. You could build up the area around the full size tire so the floor will sit flat, but then you will lose a lot of trunk space, and there isn't that much there that you would want to lose any.

whiteTL

There is no point in getting new tires. I work at a tire shop, and people mis-match tires all the time. As long as you keep two of the same ones in the front, or two of the same ones in the back. Have two different type of tires on the car is not dangerous. I had the ultra performance summer tires by Bridgestone and they wore off quick. I would just wait till the odd pair wears out and buy your new ones.

New Acura Owner

I currently have the following and was thinking about rotating LF >>> RF >>>>LR. The right rear would have to stay put.

LF (EL42)------ RF (EL42)


LR (EL42)------RR(RE950)



Are you saying that I should match up the rear tires, either with another EL42 or Re950? If so, which would you recommend?

Thanks

whiteTL

That setup is fine. As long as the front is matched. I would mis-match the front, since it is a front wheel drive car. You shouldn't lose any traction or control whatsoever. Once the tires in the front gets bald, then you will have to get new tires.

Sherlock

I would tell them to go F**K themselves and match the tires, to hell with "cant find any" then put 4 new ones on. jesus that was pretty cheap of them. We're sorry, we can't find a replacement door in blue for your ABP, we'll just put on an anthracite one, it'll work just the same.