Toyota RAV 4 (2000 - 2006) - 05 2.2 Tyre mismatch

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Fri 16 Oct 2009 20:02
05 2.2 Tyre mismatch - Talking Hoarse
Question about tyres for my pals Rav4 D4D (swb /3 door).
The original Toyo tyres have worn, and she was unable to get 3 more to match the unused spare. Our local reputable & trusted tyre depot have fitted the unused Toyo spare, together with 3 new Federal's. The mix is on the rear axle.
In my inexpert opinion, if Toyos are not available to properly match the spare, then it should remain there and she should get 4 new matching tyres.
I know a lot of people do this, but I don't advocate mixing tyres on the car and certainly not on the same axle, as I would not want to mix their differing characteristics, let alone with difs, abs and traction control that the RAV4 will have.
I have suggested that she checks this out with her handbook and local Toyota dealer.

What do you think of mixed tyres on a RAV4?
Thanks for any help.
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Fri 16 Oct 2009 20:58
05 2.2 Tyre mismatch - bell boy
i would have bought 4 new and kept the spare as a spare irrespective of age and cracking
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Fri 16 Oct 2009 22:14
05 2.2 Tyre mismatch - gordonbennet
Toyo's are due for delivery at the end of this month, their 4x4 tyres have been in short supply, did your friend specify tyre choice, and has she noticed any difference.

TBH i'd have been using the spare during periodic rotation of the tyres, but i would have bought a full set of four too.
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Fri 16 Oct 2009 23:14
05 2.2 Tyre mismatch - Wurzel83
I know this may not be what you want to hear but I had a couple of Federal "Super Steel" tyres a couple of years ago and they were the worst budget tyre I have ever bought (I only tend to buy budgets). They may have improved their standards recently but I would get your friend to practice braking in the wet so they know the limits of the tyres.

In terms of mixing and matching, I have always been told that its improtant to have two identical tyres on the front and that the rear should be roughly the same tread depth.

If your friend finds the tyres slide about a bit then I would consider it cost effective to put the Toyo spare back in the boot, put the two front Federals on the rear and buy a slightly better pair of tyres for the front. If your going for budgets then Marshal are well reviewed and Sava / Kormoran are also well established brands owned by Good Year and Michelin respectively. Or fo a few extra quid you could go for a mid range such as a Kleber or Falkon.
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Sat 17 Oct 2009 00:00
05 2.2 Tyre mismatch - piston power
The problem with japanese vehicles is the tyre fitted is not alaways available in the uk the same tyre design etc.

Having said that all 4x tyres can be different and it should drive just fine im sure they don't take this off road they usually leave that to a good old landrover for that!

It's best to use the spare because that tyre will be as old and needs to be used to get max wear from the tyre before the sidewall cracks due to age.
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