OK I know there have been a lot of mixed experiences with mis-matching your tires front/rear. Some people didn't have any problems at all, and some were horrible. I would like to see everyones experiences. Please share as much information as possible, such as what rim/tires sizes, brands, models, etc.

This way, if some people need to mis-match due to price, or availability, or even just to transition to another tire brand w/o having to buy a whole set at one time. People can come here to see what works, and what doesn't. Please only share your PERSONAL experiences for the G35 only(other cars will be less relevant cuz of diffrent handling characteristics and traction control devices).

I will start things off....

CAR: '04 Coupe, 6MT
RIMS: OEM 18's
FRONT: 225/45/18 OEM Michelins
REAR: 245/45/18 Avon Tech M550 A/S

COMMENTS:
With the above setup the VDC & Slip lights would come on a lot. Not so much on surface streets or low speed turns, but on freeway on/off ramps or interchanges it would slip. The car would also feel unsteady on uneven roads, especially at higher/freeway speeds.

BOTTOM LINE:
I would not recommend this setup. It is very slippy and was a hassle to drive around all the time.

The car has since then been equipped with Avon Tech M550 A/S all around and the problem is completely gone. The car handles perfectly fine with the same matching tires on all 4 corners.

 

supposidly the VDC gets completley thrown off with 2 diff brands of tires

 

Yes, I noticed that. But many other people have told me they have run 2 diffrent tires with no problems. They were all on aftermarket wheels though. Just trying to gauge an idea of what might or might not work.

 

on my oem 17, i have the oem RS-A on the front and PS A/S on the rear and no problems, execpt of a excessive center wear (PSI at 30). This is also all oem sizes.

 

For starters, you have summer in the front and all season in the rear. So you are probably getting different grip feel and the computer is sensing that as well. Also, the tread patterns are significantly different.

 

funny i was going to search this issue because same thing happened to me on monday. I kept OEM pilot sports on front and just put nitto 555 on rear, and going on curve on surface road (speed limit is 50mph) at about 55mph VDC kicked on like crazy. I drive this way to work everyday and can usually take it around 60~65. Needless to say it scared the sh-t outta me at 745AM. I had winter tire/wheel setup on it until sat and that was first sign. i think i will just put the other nittos on front as well

 

If there is a difference in grip between front and rear due to drastically different tread patterns, the ECU is tricked into thinking your wheels are slipping so its really not good to mix and match unless they are both HP tires or A/S

 

Didn't work well at the track for me. Pilots in front, Falken FK-451s in the back. Pilots started melting and chunking like crazy after 6 hard laps.

As for the street, VDC would come on more often. Other than that, driving seemed to be ok.

 

How do you like those Avaon Tech Tyres?

 

They're awesome. Much comfy ride and less tire noise.

I had Pilots in front and Avons in rear and it was scary as hell. The handling became really odd and the steering got heavier.

 

Lol that happened to me! And seriously dude...change those Pilots.

 

It's fine. I've run these combos w/no issues

F- BFG KDW2
R- SO3

F-Nitto 555
R-Potenza RE050

F-KDW2
R-T1R

 

^+1

 

Front stock pilot (225/45 r18)
+
Rear Dunlop Direzza (245/45 r18)
=
Car undrivable, wrote many post about that. You have been warned.

---------------------------------

Front stock Pilot (225/45 r18)
+
Rear Toyo T1R (245/45 r18)
=
OK after 1000km and + of "break in" (under normal driving)

------------------------------

Front Toyo T1R (225/45 r18)
+
Rear Toyo T1R (245/45 r18)
=
Loving every minutes of it!

 

Why are you running the same size all around, and narrower in the rear compared to stock? Doesn't the decreased stagger screw up the handling characteristics?