Many factors affect the way a tire wears, which means that one or more of your tires may need replacement before the others. That said, replacing all four tires may still be the better choice, even if the other tires still have usable tread. Why?
Replacing all four tires provides you with a wider variety of choices when replacing them, and it’s the best way to ensure your ride retains consistent handling and performance.
For your vehicle to perform at its best, your tires should all be of the same size, load-carrying capacity, speed rating, construction and tread pattern. The only exception to this rule is vehicles that rock a staggered fitment, which have different tire sizes on the front and back axles.
But because tires don’t always wear at the same rate, you may find yourself mixing new and old tires. When replacing less than four tires, it’s ideal to replace them using the same tire make and model. If the same tires are not available, be sure to replace them with tires that have the same load-carrying capacity, speed rating, construction and size.
If you can’t find a tire that’s an exact match, make sure to use it temporarily, as you would with your spare tire. A tire with a different size, load-carrying capacity, speed rating or tread pattern can lead to poor handling and be unsafe in severe weather or emergency driving conditions.
When replacing only two tires, we recommend installing the new tires on the rear. This helps maintain reliable traction in wet weather. Similarly, when replacing only one tire, be sure to match it with the best of the three remaining tires and place them both on the rear axle.
MIXING WINTER TIRES
When the weather calls for winter tires, be sure to install four winter tires. Industry standards recommend never mixing winter tires with non-winter tires of any type. Also referred to as snow tires, if you mix winter tires with non-winter tires, it will result in a serious imbalance in traction, which can lead to a loss of control in severe weather driving. That’s why we highly recommend installing winter tires on all four wheels.
If you have more questions about winter tires, we’ve got you covered with our winter tire FAQ.
And if you’re looking for new winter tires, you can get our industry-leading low prices on your winter rubber online!
MIXING RUN-FLAT TIRES
While run-flat tires can provide peace of mind, you should never mix them with non-run-flat tires. Mixing run-flat tires can cause instability in your vehicle's overall ride and performance. This is because run-flat tires are built with reinforced sidewalls that provide a completely different driving feel than non-run-flat tires.
Meanwhile, if you mix run-flat and non-run-flat tires, your non-run-flat tires will be more vulnerable to leaks and punctures. This entirely cancels out the point of your run-flat tires.
TIRE MIXING ON AWD VEHICLES
When replacing tires on your all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicle, it's highly recommended that you replace all four at once, even if one or more still have tread life left. If the difference in tread depth between the remaining tires and the new tires is too great, serious mechanical damage could occur.
If the remaining tires have enough tread depth that they are considered within a safe distance of the new tire's tread depth, then you can replace only the tires that need replacing.
The best way to find out if you can safely mix tires on your AWD vehicle is to consult your owner's manual or contact your vehicle dealer for your vehicle's safe tread depth differences.
When it comes to AWD/4WD vehicles, it's typically recommended that you maintain the same size as your original equipment tires, even when installing winter tires, unless specified by the vehicle manufacturer.
If you roll in an AWD vehicle, it's also critical not to mix tread pattern types, such as all-season and all-terrain. Using different tread patterns can over-activate the AWD and potentially cause damage to the system.
When it comes to tire replacement, you're in the right spot. We have the largest inventory of tires, all available at our unbeatable low prices. Plus, if you need to replace your tires as soon as possible, we have financing options with different payment arrangements.
When you're ready to buy your new set of tires, be sure to buy and book online to wait less time in-store!
If you have any other questions about mixing tires, winter tires, run-flat tires or even tires for your AWD vehicle, stop by your nearest store or schedule an appointment, and we'll get you taken care of!