Do I really need to replace all four tires on my vehicle at the same time?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- The answer to this question really depends on your car.
Most of the cars on the road today are front-wheel-drive, and a few are rear-wheel drive. These don't necessarily need to have all four tires replaced at once. Usually two at a time is sufficient. But all-wheel-drive systems are becoming more popular, and they do require all four tires to be replaced at one time. So for AWD vehicles, the short answer is yes, but here's why.
In vehicles with all-wheel-drive systems, including Subarus, Audis and Cadillac’s, the differential and the computer work together to send the right amount of torque to each wheel to minimize slippage and maximize control. If one of the tires is a different size than the others -- because three tires are worn and one is brand new -- the computer will take an incorrect reading and the differential will work too hard. Drive this way long enough and you'll burn out the drivetrain. Instead of needing a set of tires you will be looking at the cost of replacing your vehicle drivetrain likely at a cost of 10 times the cost of the tires.
There are exceptions, even for AWD vehicles. If the tires only have a couple thousand kilometres on them and one needs to be replaced, that's okay because it will be within the manufacturers recommended variance. Also, if you need to use the small spare to limp to the nearest repair shop, that's probably not far enough to do any serious damage.
Remember to rotate your tires because it extends their life on any vehicle; but for AWD vehicles, rotating the tires also makes sure that the tread wears evenly and doesn't place a strain on the drivetrain.
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Had a chain link puncture my tire. No one had tires on hand. Drove 90 miles home. Hell of a day.
Few things are more frustrating than an unexpected flat tire. 😔
Just had a flat tire 185 miles away from home.. Donut held up pretty good..
Excellent video!!
what about a Front wheel drive, and i have one of my rear tires replaced the other day, should I replace the other rear? vehicle is 1 and half years old.
I've been told my whole life you have to have all four tires changed at the same time on an all-wheel drive vehicle or can damage to drivetrain and confused the computer well something about that just didn't make sense to me so I had four different tires on my Subaru for over 6 months and it really just fine with no problems
Different tread patterns while not ideal are not going to damage your AWD system. The tread DEPTH is what is important as stated in the video. 3 bald tires and 1 new tire is what you absolutely want to avoid.
@@UrbanAutomotive01 yes 3 bald tires and one new tire is not good I agree with that and I do agree that the tread depth as some effect but I don't think it damages the vehicle like people say it does all four of my tires were at different tread depths I would say as long as you're within an inch of each other you got nothing to worry about
Joe the symmetrical AWD on your Subaru is very durable but it does have its limitations. Think of it like going into a shoe store and only wanting the left shoe... there is a reason they sell them in pairs. If you did only get 1 new shoe... yes... you would be OK. After a while though you would start to "feel it" from walking funny. No different for the AWD system. The manufacturer knows the limitations and are the ones that set the recommended amounts. Keeping in mind we are talking about modern computer controlled AWD systems on modern vehicles and not 4WD systems on a 1/2 ton pick up truck from the 90's. A pair or set of tires on the Subaru are a LOT cheaper than replacing the components of its AWD system. 😉
@@UrbanAutomotive01 I agree with that statement but sometimes when you're growing up poor you just got to make due and at the time I had four tires that fit they were all different but they're all within an inch of each other with the tread and I honestly don't think it made one difference on that car and I was hard on that car that was what I was a little younger and I thought I was a race car driver LOL that's Subaru held up with everything I put it through on and off road so I am convinced that I just happened to get one of those vehicles that for some reason took the abused when I got rid of it it still ran like a champ I just happened to crash it and bent the right front truck assembly push the whole tire back and it was rubbing so I just got rid of it got a new vehicle would have been an easy fix but I was kind of tired of the vehicle anyways wanted something new
@@joejohnson9993 Yea from the research I've done, I've concluded this is just propaganda from people trying to sell you sh*t you don't need. Obviously take care of the vehicle you own, but seriously the whole "AWD" is so oversold, all the "safety for your family and whatnot", is BS, just want you to spend more money. Just drive slower and you'll be safer lmao. Can get away with 2WD and common sense. If you got a subaru you can get your new tires shaved down from TireRack if you really want to. But you'll be fine - think of all the non car people out there that have done dumb sh*t with their tires, have their differentials exploded? Prob not, but their head gasket's definitely have haha.
What I've noticed is all the videos recommending 4 tire replacements after one flat are from shop businesses, hmm wonder why...
Yes, get tire alignments and take care of your daily. But when shops are charging $80 for a simple air filter change(5 min job, $15 part), you gotta realize they're gonna bone you on many other services as well!
Helpful and entertaining - thank you. So it seems AWD is an invitation to spending more money on tires than necessary in places where AWD is unnecessary.
...and...
"Big words"..... please, don't insult the use of accurate language. Symmetry is not a "big word." Let's let those that have a limited vocabulary discover how to look up words and expand their vocabulary.
Can i replace two different tires with same profile but different tread pattern than the other two? Assuming that all 4 have the same tread depth
That doesn't make any sense because by that logic the car can't turn because the wheels spin at different rates of speed that why they invented the limited slip differential to compensate for just such things
So, my 2008 volvo xc70 needs two front tires changed. They still have some life to it but there's slits on the sidewall. The back tires have decent tread depth, I'd say half of what they come with. Is it ok to rotate the back tires to the front and install two new ones in the back? Oh and the new tires are the exact same size and model of the current tires. Thanks for the video
Most reputable tire shops will only install 2 new tires in the back, for safety especially on a wet surface. Even on FWD.
even if only 1 tire is damaged it's best to change all 4 tires to avoid vehicle damage where you will be paying much more money then
I have an AWD IS350 F Sport (staggered setup by default- where fronts are 225 40 18 and rears are 255 35 18) . I got a flat on the front right tire yesterday. So i replaced the front two tires initially. Then my mechanic recommended to change the rear ones too, since now I had brand new tires on the front and old ones at the rear. So I did that and installed 2 brand new tires on the rear. I have brand new tires on all 4 now. But the issue is that the fronts and rears are two different brands. In fact, I couldn't get matching brands for both of my sizes. Is this a problem? Would really appreciate your input!
How does the car drive since? Did it mess around with the awd?
@@flacko001 car drives just fine, even with different brand of tires between the front and back. I was told as long as for each axle its the same brand, should be good. Who knows about long term tho. All 4 being the same is ideal though.
Okay so how about this my awd suv just got a blown tire due to a road hazard and I’ve seen everywhere that I need to get a set of four new ones but the other 3 are pretty much brand new last owner that had the car got them like 5 months ago would it be fine to buy a new tire of exactly the same brand ? I understood your video to an extent but I’m still unsure hoping to hear your thoughts thanks in advance 🤝
You are fine. Tread pattern differences affect handling and braking. While obviously not ideal the tread depth is the key to not affecting the AWD system of the vehicle.
@@UrbanAutomotive01 is that a yes or no
@@thedirtytowel3155 Tread depth is what can damage the drivetrain. If all the tires are within 2/32 of each other you are fine.
Tread design (different brand tires) affect traction and handling but as long as the Tread depth is in the same parameters on all 4 tires you are OK and it will not do damage to the AWD system.
its not all big words. he is attempting to be succinct and precise. let him talk and do not interrupt.
Obviously a tire company wants you to buy 4 tires. How could 32 of an inch make a difference?? I wish someone would do a test. The guy drove a different brand tire for a year with no problem. The guy at Costco almost had a brain glitch when I orderer 2 tires online for my Subaru. Definitely did not install them until I ordered 2 more :(
BUT WHY?! Everyone just regurgitates the mantra, like anything Albert has said. Do you actually understand what you talk about? Why the difference in wheel size makes clutches wear out? If you don't actually understand, any statistics on repair needs due to different tire size?
I'm baffled too,aren't all four wheels driven through differentials and isn't the function of a differential to isolate whatever is happening on 1 wheel from what is happening on another wheel?
So if you buy four brand new tires and you get a sidewall puncture on one tire you have to spend close to $1,000 to replace all four? 😂
just happened to me, bought a brand new awd car with obviously brand new tires. i’ve had it for about 3-4 months and one of my tires got punctured on the side wall. took it to discount tire and they measured all tread depths on all 3 other tires, considering they were still fairly new, i was good to go with getting the one new tire. if i was any lower on tread on the other 3, i would’ve had to get all 4 unfortunately.