I need some advice...i have 2 decent Michelin Stock MXV4 tires on my 2006 4 cylinder accord, and 2 of the same tires that are older and wearing pretty bad. Is it a bad practice to get 2 new tires(different brand of course) and put them on the front and have the 2 good michelins put on the back? will i need to be concerned about rotations? alignment? wear patterns? should i only upgrade all 4 tires at the same time?

Different tread patterns would concern me. I would replace four only.

i always change out tires at the same time. therefore making sure i have even wear and that i can remember when i put the tires on the vehicle. the only time i have changed out 1 tire and not the rest is when i had someone cut the tire.

Different tires fornt and back will have different traction and deflection behaviours under load, not the best thing to do from safety perspective.

should i only upgrade all 4 tires at the same time?

Always the best practice if finances allow it.

If you really can't do all four, why not put two newer Michelin MXV4's (what I believe your car came with) on the front? Then you'd have all 4 matching, just with different tread.

Those tires usually last 80k miles if they're rotated every 7500 miles. How far did yours get you?

I don't think I would ever change out just two tires w/ a totally different tire. As others have said, always change out 4 if you can. I mean, looking at the wear tendencies between tires, my experience with the MXM4's is that the grip they had at less than 10k was almost that of a bald tire, while the grip of my Pole positions has degraded at a much slower rate. Basically, I wouldn't want to be stuck in a situation where one end's grip was always going to be significantly different from the other ends.

With that said, just before I hung up my non-snows for the season I replaced the rears with two brand new tires (Bridgestone pole positions). One of them went flat and wasn't repairable. I only had about 9-10k on the tires overall so I figure I would be ok as long as I keep the new tires on the front for a bit while they wear down to match the other two. Though, I didn't feel comfortable doing that in the winter, heh.

You will be fine if you get 2 new tires. Rotations will be affected though because you want to same type of tire on the axle. You don't want two different treds on the same axle.

Just get a good tire...none of that cheap stuff will work.

I'd replace the two and not worry about it. Keep the new ones on the front and the old ones (on the back) will last 2X as long. Replace them as a set next time.

Unless Ford has changed policy, they don't recommend rotating tires on a front driver, just replace in pairs.

I'm gonna get ripped for that I'm sure. Go ahead though.

Unless Ford has changed policy, they don't recommend rotating tires on a front driver, just replace in pairs.

I'm gonna get ripped for that I'm sure. Go ahead though.

The Ford dealership rotated the tires on my grandma's sable so I guess that's changed! :)

Doesn't bmw recommend not rotating tires as well? I thought I heard that somewhere. But, I'm sure most of the dealerships and people who own them rotate the tires anyway.

The dealerships wouldn't tell you didn't need something if they could charge you for it.

I've replaced only 2 tires before without any problem. Just like you, I put 2 new tires in the front and moved the 2 good but used tires to the rear.

I didn't rotate the tires until I put like 15K miles on the front tires.... just to even them out with the rears.

Like stevencrosbie said, you'll be fine.

you'll be fine. I don't like it because I like having four matching tires (looks better in my opinion). But if you're looking to save some money, replacing only two is definitely acceptable:thmsup:

On my previous car which was my commuter car, I replaced just two tires had two bfg tractions on the front and goodyears on the back... Until one of the goodyears blew out. I replaced them with the same BFGs I had on the front.

While the car drove OK, it drove significantly better with 4 of the same type tire.

In a Dec 2007 issue of the Honda Service News they recommend putting the new tires on the rear. Its a cornering traction thing.. I would agree if the ones going to the front are in real good shape. Click on link below.

http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SN/a071200.PDF

If you really can't do all four, why not put two newer Michelin MXV4's (what I believe your car came with) on the front? Then you'd have all 4 matching, just with different tread.

Those tires usually last 80k miles if they're rotated every 7500 miles. How far did yours get you?

Honestly this is the better option in my opinion, though I don't think 80K out of Energy tires is very likely (based on numerous set from the past on my Volvos). However they usually get the mileage warranty (60K on H rated, 25-35K on V rated) and a bit more. But that requires discipline: being religious in checking pressures and rotating properly (5000K miles is the most on a FWD).

Also remember that most tires Honda puts on its vehicles as OEM are not the same as the model you'd buy in the aftermarket, even if they look identical and have the same name. Honda sets specs for them and while they may say they have these high, they're usually lower than what the same aftermarket tire is for $$$ reasons (i.e. an OEM Energy or OEM Pilot HX MXM4 will get less tread life, corner worse, and/or be noisier.) Sounds crazy, but it happens and there is a noticeable difference from my experience (two Volvos I've owned, one friend's Volvo, a friend's Civic, a friend's BMW.)

The newer Exalto A/S is a nice tire that seems to be extremely popular, however the downside (only one I know of other than its moderate price) is it's a directional tire. Not a huge deal for me, but some don't like that.


If you don't go with the same tire brand on the two new tires, make sure each axle has a set on it and they're matched properly (same speed rating and traction ratings.)

In a Dec 2007 issue of the Honda Service News they recommend putting the new tires on the rear. Its a cornering traction thing.. I would agree if the ones going to the front are in real good shape. Click on link below.

http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SN/a071200.PDF

Thanks for the link. I cannot afford to replace all four tires, so I replaced the two front tires only. However, reading the Service News makes me feel uncomfortable now... My two rear tires have about 50% thread left though.

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/findPromotions.do?rcz=60543&rc=ILCINT&pgid=173
try that or even costco if you have membership.

http:http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=11237724&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US
60 dollar off select tires
+ 10 dollar off select bf goodrench tires
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=11197762&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US

or pricematch to discount tire from tiredirect or costco if they have the same tire:thmsup:

(60K on H rated, 25-35K on V rated)

Honda sets specs for them and while they may say they have these high, they're usually lower than what the same aftermarket tire is for $$$ reasons (i.e. an OEM Energy or OEM Pilot HX MXM4 will get less tread life, corner worse, and/or be noisier.)
Gee... wonder why my stock MXM4s seems to be limited to 30K miles (~85% Hwy).

Your car has V-rated tires on it. Michelin only puts a minimal warranty on the original design MXV4 (depending on the retailer.) Very few V-rated tires had a decent warranty, though that's changing lately:


[205/60-16 v-rated] * Some are less/none for 55 and 50 series tires

BFG Traction T/A = 60K
Bridgestone Turanza EL41 = none
Bridgestone Potenza RE92 = none
Continental ContiProContact = 40K
Dunlop SP Sport Signature = 60K
Firestone Firehawk GT = 50K
General Alitmax HP = 40K
Goodyear Eagle Response Edge = 50K
Khumo Ecsta DX Aroma = none
Michelin Primacy MXV4 = 60K
Michelin Energy MXV4 S8 = none
Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus = none
Michelin Pilot Primacy = none
Michelin Pilot MXM4 = none
Pirelli P6 Four Seasons = none
Sumitomo HTR+ = none
Yokohama AVID V4S = 60K

I would probably put on four new tires.

But, always put the newer tires on the REAR! Michelin just lost a $40million lawsuit because it's dealer put the new tires on the front.

http://www.michelinman.com/tire-care/tire-basics/reartire-change/

interesting video...

If you read the manual for the car and for your stock tires, it states that it is not recommended having different tires, treads, or speed ratings.

My front two stock Michelins wore out at 12500 miles and had them replaced under manufacturer's defect. My defense, my rear tires are cambered in, and I have no tread wear significant like the front. In addition, I have only spun my tires 3 times, so they could hold that against me nor did I tell them.