Need advice about buying winter tires?

Question

Are there rules about buying two different sets of winter tires for a car?
I recently acquired a Honda civic Sedan 2001 and just bought a pair of Graspic winter tires for the front (gently used 185/65/14's). Needless to say after reading your forum I realize I went about this the wrong way and should have indeed bought a set of four.
Now that I am about to buy the set for the rear tires (with rims also) what should I be looking at?
Can i, for example, buy 195/ 65/ 14's or 185/70/14's?
Do I need to stick to the same brand or just the same tread pattern?

Any suggestions would be helpful.
Oh I also have the same issue with my daughter's car, a 97 Ford Escort wagon with front winter tires of the similar size. (Marangoni Meteo's).

Answer 1

Stick with the same size and type of tires. You can go with different brands and even different tread patterns between front and back, but all four should be all-season, or standard winter, or "ice radial" (with extra grip on ice).

Answer 2

really it is okay to just two tires but make sure you change both the front two or the rear two.

you should always use the same tire size thoguh. its good to stick to the same brand for smooth driving but not required.