I have a 2023 car and got a flat tire. The mechanic told me I have Michelin on three wheels, but I can only find a Bridgestone in the same size. Could I get a fine for driving like that? Is it mandatory that all tires are the same brand or is it enough that they're the same size and tread pattern?
Technical regulations don't prohibit you from mixing brands if they have the same size, speed rating, and load capacity - what matters is that the wear and type are similar. That said, many local shops and some countries do apply stricter restrictions for technical inspection reasons, so before relying on the Bridgestone, you should verify what's allowed in your specific jurisdiction or check directly with your local traffic authority, because you could actually get fined depending on where you are.
Don't drive with tires from different brands, even if they have the same size and tread pattern. What matters is that they're all the same type (winter, summer, or all-terrain) and have similar wear, not the brand. You can get fined if you're pulled over with very different tires because it affects your car's safety and handling. Best thing to do is go to the shop and find another Michelin that matches the one you have, or replace all four tires if they're getting old.
Are you sure that Bridgestone has exactly the same tread pattern as your Michelins? Because here's the thing - most traffic regulations don't actually prohibit mixing brands as long as they're the same type (summer, winter, all-terrain) and have the same wear level, but what really matters is that the pattern be practically identical. If one has deeper grooves or a different tread design, then yeah, you could get fined. The best thing would be to snap a photo of your Michelins and show it to the shop before you buy the Bridgestone, because honestly it's safer just to have four matching tires and call it a day.
technically the law lets you mix different brands as long as they meet the same size, speed rating, and tire type requirements! what really matters is that they have the same wear level and are the same climate pattern (summer, winter, all-terrain). the thing is, a lot of shops will tell you it's illegal because it gives them more guarantee selling you a full set, but actually you won't get fined for it. that said, keep in mind that your car's behavior can vary a bit if you mix brands that are very different in technology, so watch carefully how it responds in braking and cornering!
The DGT allows mixing brands as long as they have the same size, speed rating, load capacity, and type (summer, winter, or all-season), so technically you're covered! What I would recommend is checking that Bridgestone doesn't have significantly different wear than your Michelins, because the police can pull you over if they see a wheel noticeably more worn than the others. In the meantime use that as a temporary solution, but try to complete the set with Michelin at your next opportunity so you don't have to worry about every inspection.
In the meantime, you'd better get out and buy a Michelin from any tire shop or auto parts store, even if it's used but in good condition, because driving like that leaves you exposed to fines depending on where you live and, more importantly, it affects how your car brakes and handles on curves. The technical requirements (size, speed rating, tire type) do matter, but the reality is that inspectors often don't pay attention to that and just see that they're different brands and write you up. A quick option is to ask at the shop if they have a compatible used Michelin available - it's almost always cheaper than a new one and solves the problem without any risks.
The other comments say yes or no, but the reality is that most countries in Latin America allow mixing brands as long as it's just one wheel (the spare tire) and as long as the wear and type are the same. Anyway, the best thing is to ask your mechanic if that Bridgestone has exactly the same technical specifications as your Michelin tires (speed rating, load index, radial or diagonal construction), because those numbers are what matter, not the brand.
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