Bridgestone Vs Yokohama (4.3)

[Zathras]

My RAV4 (06) has just had its two fronts changed from Yokohama Geolander (225/65R17 101H) to Bridgestone Dueler H/T 687's.

I wanted to have matching Yokohama's fitted but the leasing company refused. This means I have a mixture of tyres as the fronts are now Bridgestones and rears / spare are Yokohama. I'm not happy with this but wanted to have some other views on the matter given my lack of knowledge in this area before I go into any kind of battle with them.

Should I be as uncomfortable as I am with mixed tyres?

What happens if I need to use my spare on one of the fronts, am I right to be worried / cautious about using that configuration?

Should I be considering carefully which ones go on the front and which on the rear due to grip differences?

Which tyre is regarded as better and why? it seems the Yokohama is more expensive but the reviews I've been reading are mixed.

I'd appreciate any thoughts on this!

Cheers.

[anchorman]

In an ideal world you will have matching tyres at least across each axle. In reality finding any weaknesses in not doing so would probably need quite controlled conditions on a test track. When I had a company car they had their own tyre policy (I think it was Michelin Energy's at the time because it gave them marginally more mileage) and I don't think anybody ever attributed any accidents or performance issues to them.

It will be better to keep them matched front to rear and only use the spare for the duration of a repair but I wouldn't lose too much sleep. I often get involved with cars that by the time they have come to the second or third owner have four different brand tyres on and you would never tell by driving them.

[bonjo]

My RAV4 (06) has just had its two fronts changed from Yokohama Geolander (225/65R17 101H) to Bridgestone Dueler H/T 687's.

I wanted to have matching Yokohama's fitted but the leasing company refused. This means I have a mixture of tyres as the fronts are now Bridgestones and rears / spare are Yokohama. I'm not happy with this but wanted to have some other views on the matter given my lack of knowledge in this area before I go into any kind of battle with them.

Should I be as uncomfortable as I am with mixed tyres?

What happens if I need to use my spare on one of the fronts, am I right to be worried / cautious about using that configuration?

Should I be considering carefully which ones go on the front and which on the rear due to grip differences?

Which tyre is regarded as better and why? it seems the Yokohama is more expensive but the reviews I've been reading are mixed.

I'd appreciate any thoughts on this!

Cheers.

I put a pair of Geolanders on mine (petrol 203), the worse tyres I have had! Bad fuel consumption, terrible tyre noise, understeer, understeer understeer & no traction improvement in rain & snow. I am affraid I have gone back to the Toyo's and the car has got back to normal!

You should not have an issue at all with mixing tyres on a car provided they are the same size, grade & application. I would be best to have matching pair on each axle.

I had the dueler on my previous shogun, ace tyre for and 80/20 road use B)