Mismatched tire brands

Now Bill, they only allow bald tires if it is on a dually axle. Don't exaggerate.

Spdloader proclaimed:

I do sincerely hope you are not proposing that the typically governmental asinine legal standards used for determinine a worn out tire are at all applicable to how dangerous the handling can be on mismatched tires. Or whether mismatched tires on the same axle would potentially void a warranty due to owner abuse and failure to pay attention.

Again, so what is your point? Ever pull a vehicle out of the ditch because some doofus thought thoas standards were good enough and was running around with mismatched tires and discovered why serious drivers refuse to consider the concept?

Spdloader proclaimed:

Thats pretty odd. I've personally witnessed the results of mismatched tire brands combined with a bit of driver misjudgement and poor driving skills. Tends to spin out pretty much every time. Granted that driving on mismatched tires or even unmatched inflation pressures is a definite sign of poor driver skills in the venues I learned from.

I'd say you have zero chance of being on a jury if you are much of an expert on anything. Folks with backgrounds in troubleshooting and reliability theory seem to be especially unwelcome to both sides.

L.W.(ßill) Hughes III proclaimed:

Is this mis-matching, in your experience, where you have 3 worn (bald) tires and one new one (the spare)?

LOL I use to drive to school in a twenty dollar car on twenty five cent used tires from the dump, tell me about it:

Billy Ray wrote:

The ones Ive run across are one tire of substantially different make and or model from the others. With just a bit too much speed for the surface, it tends to result in really squirrelly handling.

Of course I check tire match with a hands off hard stop on the sports car, and getting near the lane boundaries is a "fail".

Billy Ray proclaimed:

I was just thinking, after reading Bill's post, that back-in-the-day we probably all had mis-matched tires at least some of the time.

Every Fall we would take the snow tires out of the garage and nad put them on the rear and the best two of the four regular tires on the front.

I followed this pattern myself up until I sold my Dodge Dart in the 80's which was the last time I snow tires. I sold that car, in the summer, and I don't remember anyone commenting that it had 2 snows installed.

It is still quite common to see commercial pickup and delivery trucks with 'traction" tires on the rear and 'road' tires on the front.

I will say this again Lon,

I said "WILDLY Different tires".

I said I was pointing out the differences between the US and Canada when I mentioned the 3/32 tread depth. I WAS NOT saying I support it.

Yes I have pulled people out of ditches with thin tire tread, but the tread didn't CAUSE the accident, driving too fast for conditions DID. Conditions being : speed, curve, low pressure tires, wet roadway, not enough tread on tires, driver inexperience etc.

My point was, I do have a lot of experience with this, but in no way am I proclaiming to be an expert. Just relating real world experience. A lot of it.

By the way:

I hear, that if you mix and match a Bridgestone, with a Cooper, and a Michelin with a Goodyear, and drive the car backwards, you'll hear Molly Hatchet playing "Flirtin' With Disaster".

I sure as heck wouldn't want to do that.

Spdloader

Well, if you follow some of the advice in this thread, its a wonder that more of them haven't exploded, or worse, just from the mis-matching.

Spdloader

- tires same size. Duals not touching and nothing stuck between them.

- tires same type (not mixed radial and bias). Front tires for buses cannot be recapped, retreaded, or regrooved.

Important to note that this is not from a law, but from the California "Commercial Driver License Handbook", and appears to be taken a bit out of context, lol. This link starts with the following section and then discusses each part of the Commercial vehicle: "Commercial Driver License Handbook

Section 10: Pre-Trip Test

A pre-trip inspection should be done the same way each time so you will learn all the steps and be less likely to forget something.

Before the pre-trip test, the examiner will check the brake lights, emergency flashers, turn signals, horn, and splash guards (if required). If any of these items do not work, the test will be postponed.

During the pre-trip test, you must show that the vehicle is safe to drive. You may have to walk around the vehicle and point to or touch each item and explain to the examiner what you are checking and why. You will NOT have to crawl under the hood or under the vehicle.

You may only use one of the guides shown on pages 125 or 126 when taking your pre-trip test. The memory aid cannot include instructions on how to perform the pre-trip inspection. If you do not pass the pre-trip inspection test, the other tests will be cancelled.

Remember: You are allowed a total of three attempts to pass the pre-trip, skills, or driving tests. See page 5. (Here for more information)

All Vehicles

Study the following vehicle parts for the type of vehicle you will be using during the CDL skills tests. You should be able to identify each part and tell the examiner what you are looking for or inspecting.

Vehicle Overview

As you approach the vehicle, notice its general condition. Look for damage or if the vehicle is leaning to one side. Look under the vehicle for fresh oil, coolant, grease, or fuel leaks. Check area around the vehicle for hazards to vehicle movement such as people, other vehicles, objects, low hanging wires, or limbs, etc.

Check the parking brakes are set and/or wheels chocked. You may have to raise the hood, tilt the cab (secure loose objects so they don't fall and break something), or open the engine compartment door. Check the following: "

-- Then it goes on to discuss each component of the commercial vehicle.......

Here is the complete section on the tires, fyi:

"Tires

a.. The following items must be inspected on every tire: - tread depth: Check for minimum tread depth (4/32 inch on steering axle tires, 2/32 inch on all other tires). - tire condition: Check that tread is evenly worn and look for cuts or other damage to tread or sidewalls. Also, make sure that valve caps and stems are not missing, broken, or damaged. - tire inflation: Check for proper inflation by using a tire gauge, or inflation by striking tires with a mallet or other similar device. - tires same size. Duals not touching and nothing stuck between them. - tires same type (not mixed radial and bias). Front tires for buses cannot be recapped, retreaded, or regrooved. NOTE: You will not get credit if you simply kick the tires to check for proper inflation." Tomes

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With all due respect Mike, back up your claim. If it's law, it will be documented and easy for you to find.

As I understand it, tires must be;

-same type (size, load range, inflation, speed rating) on same axle.

-minimum tread depth of 3/32"

-all bias ply OR all radial ply.

-Brian

True, Earle, but you can be damned sure that the plaintif's lawyer would very carefully point the dreadful consequences of such a mismatch had it existed. The 215/235 difference (nearly an inch nominal) is probably a valid argument.

As Bill po> It is said that a jury is the conscience of a community. I'll bet you

I wrote my district attorney's office a long letter, telling them exactly what I thought of their refusal to prosecute a sex offender in my community, who had been caught red-handed. Then I published, at my own expense, an article characterizing the local sheriff as "stupid" for her role in the same incident. I doubt they will ever let me sit on any jury here.

We weren't, as far as I know, talking about 215/235 on the same axle. We were talking about Firestone matched with Goodyear, both radials, or even two different model tires from the same manufacturer. And Canadian cops or accident investigators throwing their weight around. I am so glad that I don't (yet) live in a totalitarian society.

Earle

acceleration.

This legal crap is very regional. In California if you have bad brakes, and bald tires, and are talking on a cell-phone when you kill a motorcyclist, the worst that will happen is a negligence charge, and a fine..

Those are the tiny spares that are placarded for "emergency use only" with distance and speed limits (45 MPH?) on the warning, aren't they?

L.W.(Bill) Hughes III wrote:

My used `89 Cherokee still had its factory-fresh "space saver" spare in place when I bought it.

TW wrote: