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I have just bought two secondhand tyres for the front of my car.

One seems a bit larger than the other but is supposed to be the same. One has a lot more tread than the other as well.

Are they both supposed to have the same tread pattern on them?

Janice

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 23 April 2010

You need to ensure that the size of the tyre is the same (for example 185/60/R14).

If your car is an All-Wheel Drive model it is important that the tyres are of identical size as it can affect the operation of the transmission and driveline.

It is recommended to always have the best tyres on the rear, however in your case it is certainly not desirable to have a mismatch of tyres on the front. This can strongly influence the way the vehicle tracks on the road.

I would strongly recommend you visit your closest tyre store and ask them to check all tyres and recommend the best position of each.

There is a place for second hand tyres in the market but you need to be very careful where you purchase and the information you are given.