Hazards and misconceptions of replacing one tire

[schwejo]

and the unloaded spare has a smaller radius than the unload standard tire, but it has much higher pressure so that the loaded values are relatively close.

There is a misconception that many discuss on various car forums about how a tire operates like tank track, but it simply isn't so. The operating radius is what counts... as has already been said here of course.

[RallyRidge]

Working in a tire shop for 8 years I have seen a few awd cars with mis matched tires . I have seen the brake pads worn completely on the same corner as a brand new tire. Other three brakes were almost brand new and the other three tires bald.

I have also heard terrible noises that literally completely went away when the tires were replaced.

I have also seen cars with mismatched tires have no issues whatsoever after thousands of miles . Its the chance of causing irreversible damage that keeps the shops from replacing one or two or three tires. If you want to tempt fate just take your wheels in off the truck. They will probably be fine with it then.

[DeuceRon]

This is a great thread. Never really thought about it, however I have about 7k on my tires right now. If I blow one, I'll probably replace just two and rotate them front to back when it's time.

Good discussion..

[RTS11]

Originally Posted by chiph

Couldn't you buy a new (one) tire and get it shaved to match the circumference of the other three? Yes, you'd be throwing away several 32nds of an inch of rubber on it, but it would be cheaper than buying 4 new tires.

Chip H.

Online you can buy used tires of all types. Maybe an option for some? www.usedtires.com

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=...at=0&_from=R40

[FineLine]

I think the best option for dealing with one damaged tire during early to middle tire life is buying a new replacement tire and having it shaved down to match the tread depth of the other tire on the same axle. I recently had this done for my wife's Subaru Forester AWD. During an annual state inspection the dealer found one tire with sidewall damage and recommended replacing them as a set of four. Subaru has a specification for maximum circumferential difference between tires and the difference between a new tire and what was on the vehicle was over the spec. These were Yokohama Geolanders @ around $200.00 each. I bought one new OEM tire from Tirerack.com and they have a shaving service for $25.00. You just need to buy a tread depth gauge and get a good measurement on the matching tire and tell them the depth you want it shaved down to. Put the pair of tires with the shaved one on the rear axle to let it wear in before rotating to the front. Tirerack.com was great to work with on this.