Does Having Different Left and Right Tires Affect the Car?
2 Answers
Having different left and right tires can affect the car. Here is some extended information about tire maintenance: 1. Replace with identical tires: When replacing tires, remember that tires of different types, models, or structures cannot be mixed on the same vehicle. Tires on the same axle must especially avoid mixing. If one side's tire is being replaced, the other side should be replaced at the same time. 2. Prioritize performance when selecting tires: The choice of tires is closely related to vehicle performance. Some people think that replacing original tires with wider ones is safer, but if the engine and vehicle weight remain unchanged, excessively wide tires may reduce grip, leading to potential skidding on wet roads and thus being less safe.
I once had a situation where the left and right tires on my car were different. At the time, I opted to save money by only replacing one tire, and it caused major issues. During daily driving, the car would always pull slightly to the right, especially when changing lanes on the highway—it felt like the steering wheel was being tugged, making the drive very unsteady. Driving in the rain was even more dangerous; once, while turning on a small road, the car nearly skidded, and I had to pull over in a panic. This imbalance led to uneven tire wear—the left tire wore out much faster while the right one remained relatively intact. Within less than half a year, I had to replace the entire set, which was a huge waste of money. Most importantly, the safety risks were high. Due to the uneven grip, braking distances could lengthen, and in an emergency, the car would be nearly uncontrollable. Later, I learned my lesson and replaced them with a matching set of new tires. The car immediately felt much more stable. My advice: never skimp on this expense.
