tire mixing

[Deansdream]

Just traded my '05 Boxster S for an '06 C2S. The vehicle had 15k miles and is Porsche pre-owned certified; front tires were graded 7, rear 5, and the minimum required for certification is 4. So I assume I'll soon have to replace the rears.

Question. Can I replace the rears with Michelin Pilot Sport and keep the Pirelli PZero Rosso on the front until they need to be replaced? The car's my daily driver unless it snows, and i'll be on the track come Spring.

[Loren]

Here is what Porsche says "If new tires are to be mounted or the tires of one axle are to be replaced, tires of the same make, the same type and with the same specification code must always be used on each of the two axles. If tires are replaced on one axle only, the different tread depth from that on the other axle can cause a noticeable change in the familiar handling. This is especially the case if new tires are mounted on the rear axle. This effect decreases with increasing tire mileage."

[docdavid]

Here is what Porsche says "If new tires are to be mounted or the tires of one axle are to be replaced, tires of the same make, the same type and with the same specification code must always be used on each of the two axles. If tires are replaced on one axle only, the different tread depth from that on the other axle can cause a noticeable change in the familiar handling. This is especially the case if new tires are mounted on the rear axle. This effect decreases with increasing tire mileage."

On a 997 would it be OK to have sport contact 3 tires on rear and sport contact 2 tires on front?? Can no longer get sport contact 2 tire in 265-40-18.

[Loren]

Here is what Porsche says "If new tires are to be mounted or the tires of one axle are to be replaced, tires of the same make, the same type and with the same specification code must always be used on each of the two axles. If tires are replaced on one axle only, the different tread depth from that on the other axle can cause a noticeable change in the familiar handling. This is especially the case if new tires are mounted on the rear axle. This effect decreases with increasing tire mileage."

On a 997 would it be OK to have sport contact 3 tires on rear and sport contact 2 tires on front?? Can no longer get sport contact 2 tire in 265-40-18.

Ask your dealer for a list of Porsche approved tires for your car

or

become a Contributing Member here and get access to that TSB as well as all Porsche TSBs.

[SPIRO]

You should ask your service manager to call "Porche North America After Sales Manager" , to get you two free tires. You may be elegible, if your rears need replacement, but your fronts are not worn out; this applies if the same brand and matching N number of tires are not available. You will have to pay for two tires that replace the worn ones, and Porsche will pay for the two others to match .

I was able to benefit from this recently. My dealer matched the prices on TireRack (and I didn't have to pay shipping!) plus the costs to mount and balance were very fair. It may be the only time you get something free from Porsche.

But you have to be persistent, my manager initially said he knew nothing about this .

Edited December 31, 2008 by SPIRO