Toyota Auris HSD - Mis-matched tyres

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Tue 17 Mar 2015 11:07
Toyota Auris HSD - Mis-matched tyres - MarcusC

I've just put a deposit down for a used Auris HSD.

I noticed that the rear tyres were mis-matched (standard Michelin on one side, Continental on the other (quite different tread patterns). They both look reasonably new tyres.
I pointed this out to the salesperson who just said that people will tend just to buy whatever tyre they can get based on price or availability which is fair enough - I know that it's generally recommended to have matched pairs of tyres but in practice there are lots of cars out there with mis-matched tyres.
I guess the previous owner had a puncture at some point.

I wasn't that worried but I found a copy of the manual online and found this:

"Make sure that all tires are of the same size, brand, tread pattern and total load capacity.
In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the specified tire pressure level.
The ABS and VSC will not function correctly if different tires are fitted on the vehicle."

Is this just the car manufacturer covering itsef or should I have reason to be worried?

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Tue 17 Mar 2015 11:50
Toyota Auris HSD - Mis-matched tyres - skidpan

Is this just the car manufacturer covering itsef or should I have reason to be worried?

All the ABS and VSC can detect is the speed of wheel rotation so providing the tyres are the same size and inflated to the correct pressure the car will work fine.

Personally I prefer to keep matching axle sets but I would not be throwing a perfectly good tyre away.

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Tue 17 Mar 2015 12:00
Toyota Auris HSD - Mis-matched tyres - catsdad
I have often wondered about this given the (claimed and real) difference between different tyre manufacturers products. I guess the reality is you have to be doing something pretty extreme to make a difference to the car handling if they're both premium tyres with similar tread depth at the correct pressure. In Spain, and perhaps other countries, the law requires matching tyres as per your handbook and maybe Toyota are covering themselves with the wider market in mind. Last summer I changed out one worn tyre and an otherwise good mismatched tyre before going to Spain just for this reason although I subsequently noticed several local cars over there with blatant mismatches. Although it's annoying to spend out for something that may not matter in practice, the cost of an early replacement to achieve a match is not a lot in the context of buying a car. In my own case the "odd" tyre did irk a bit and the trip abroad gave me the excuse to get matching fully matching tyres. In your case if the UK manual says the same as online and if you are buying from a main dealer then I would have a go at getting it sorted as part of the purchase. Not a deal breaker in my eyes though.
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Tue 17 Mar 2015 12:03
Toyota Auris HSD - Mis-matched tyres - Auristocrat

This is standard safety information that Toyota uses - the same info is in the owners manual for the petrol/diesel Auris, etc.

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Tue 17 Mar 2015 12:17
Toyota Auris HSD - Mis-matched tyres - coopshere

One thing that might affect your reasoning as to wether to change the tyre(s) or not is your insurance policy. Of course it will only be relevant if you have an accident that requires the insurance assessor to examine the vehicle, but a lot of polices include the rider that the vehicle should comply with the manufacturers specifications.

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Tue 17 Mar 2015 12:39
Toyota Auris HSD - Mis-matched tyres - Ordovices

Then surely they would have to specify a brand, model and variant?

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Tue 17 Mar 2015 12:45
Toyota Auris HSD - Mis-matched tyres - Auristocrat

Depending on whether the Auris in question is a first or second generation, Michelin tyres were OE on the first generation, and, depending on tyre size, Bridgestone, Michelin, Continental or Dunlop are OE on the second generation. So if the car is second generation, the Continentals could be the OE tyres rather than the Michelins.

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Tue 17 Mar 2015 13:10
Toyota Auris HSD - Mis-matched tyres - Ethan Edwards

If your lookimg to maximise your MPG you'll find it more important that they are all Eco tyres ie Michelin Energy Saver's or Conti Eco Contacts. Which is what you'll want on the Auris HSD.

Incidentally Big T didn't fit Eco tyres on the Yaris HSD in Sept '12 (when I bought mine) as OEM though. They may do now though.

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Tue 17 Mar 2015 13:15
Toyota Auris HSD - Mis-matched tyres - Auristocrat

Only Eco fit tyres on the facelift Yaris Hybrid are Bridgestone Ecopia on some LHD versions

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Tue 17 Mar 2015 15:26
Toyota Auris HSD - Mis-matched tyres - jc2

I've had tyres of the same make/size/rating on one axle but with different tread patters because the manufacturer had changed the pattern.

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Tue 17 Mar 2015 19:15
Toyota Auris HSD - Mis-matched tyres - daveyjp
Toyota will do one manual for the whole of the EU and just translate it. Some Countries have stricter tyre laws than the UK and tyres on the same axle may have to be the same manufacturer, tread pattern, size etc.
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Tue 17 Mar 2015 22:40
Toyota Auris HSD - Mis-matched tyres - Avant

The previous owner may, like me, have had an irreparable puncture and found that Continental couldn't supply a replacement, however hard the tyre dealer tried to find one, as mine did.

I played safe and under protest had a pair of new tyres (Kleber Quadraxers) fitted, but I can't blame anyone who isn't prepared to or can't afford to so that.

I'll never buy a Continental tyre again.

Edited by Avant on 17/03/2015 at 22:40

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Wed 18 Mar 2015 00:33
Toyota Auris HSD - Mis-matched tyres - Smileyman

Most people don't give such a matter a second (or even first) thought - if the tyre retailer say yes then they rely on the retailer's professional advice, no doubt influenced by cost too

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