Can mismatched tyres cause problems?

I recently took my car to my regular garage to have one new tyre fitted on the front offside. I assumed they would fit the same as they were replacing (a Michelin Cross Climate) however they have just replaced it with a bog standard tyre. Will this cause any problems?

Asked on 3 June 2026 by Christine Barker

Answered by David Ross
The Michelin Cross Climate is an all-season tyre, so it differs in design, construction and performance from winter tyres and summer tyres. While it is not essential that they fit an exact replacement in terms of brand and model, it should also be an all-season tyre, as mixing tyre types on the same vehicle can cause an imbalance in terms of grip and therefore handling and braking performance. We would suggest checking the make and model of the replacement tyre, and if it is not an all-season tyre return to the garage and ask them to replace it with an equivalent tyre.
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