jvb6806

iTrader: (3)

the reason it isn't talked about all the time on this forum is because quite a few people know that when you replace tires on an AWD car you really should replace all of them. if it comes down to a couple of /32's it isn't a big deal, and if the tires are new enough you could probably get away with replacing just one, or find a used advan that has the same tread as the one that blew out.

i blew out a rear tire and had to run the spare for a few miles till i could park it and the dif was screaming the whole time. i parked the car until my 4 new tires were delivered.

the reason you need all 4 tires to be the same size is they are all connected in the drive train. the same logic with replacing both the front tires on a FWD, or rear on a RWD, or why you don't put your spare tire on a drive wheel. it is not only a traction issue. you do not want to have one side of your differential spinning at a different speed. again a few /32s are going to make a big difference but if you have two brand new tires in front and two old bald tires of a different brand (diameter) you are unnecessary wear to your differential.

try putting on your spare and driving it around the block... you will hear it.

JDMJNKY

iTrader: (1)

Well I've been a certified technician for a few years now 5/6 but I've been around cars since I was 5yrs old. I am no advocated specialists. It is to my understanding that 4x4's & all wheel drives are not governed by the same rules as normal passenger cars, when speaking about tire replacement.

Your tires need to have the closest rolling diameter possible. W/ an AWD or 4x4 vehicle You run the risk of damaging parts, slapping on a new tire one by one. Unjustly causing a load or bias on one, two, or a few of your drivetrain components. Yes your driving, yes it all feels the same, but a few thousandths clearance to a gear is plenty. So that's one reason why you were probably recommended 4 tires. Also if the installer know that your car is 4x4 or AWD and recommends you 4 applause to him. ( ex. if he installs one tire and you take off down the street and 30miles later something breaks.......whom would you assume is at fault.

So in conclusion he was protecting you both.

-Joel

SOG RA

iTrader: (7)

Wow. So that being said, why do people say that the compound and actual tire should be the same? If thats the case, then couldnt you have all new tires and say the front driver side tire is a different brand and compound but has the same tread depth, would it not make a difference? I could understand how the donut would cause all kinds of issues because it is so much smaller than the stock tires, it could cause issues with just about any car. But, I would just think that any minuscule difference in tread depth would be accounted for in the suspension before it caused any issues...Found this on Tirerack.com, it talks about AWD cars and replacing single tires and also explains that you can actually have tires "shaved" to match all the other tread depths, they do it in house. This could be a great option for you Kieffer.
Replacing Pairs of Tires or Individual Tires

There are several suggestions that have been offered to drivers who are replacing pairs or individual tires on their four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles. Some vehicle manufacturers recommend that all tires maintain the same rolling radius and circumference, while others suggest that all tire circumferences remain within 1/4- to 1/2-inch of each other. Other vehicle manufacturers recommend that all four tires remain within 2/32-, 3/32- or 4/32-inch of each other, or within 30% of each other in relative remaining tread depth.

Regardless of the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations, the least stressful application is when all four tires are the same tire brand, tread design and equivalent tread depth.

Before buying pairs or individual tires for all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles, drivers should read their vehicle's owners manual or contact the dealer's service department for confirmation of their specific vehicle's requirements.

Matching Tires By Shaving Them to Maintain Equivalent Tire Tread Depths

What does a driver do if one tire has to be removed from service when it and the other three tires have already worn to two-thirds to one-half of their original tread depth? Simply installing one new tire runs the risk of drivability problems or expensive driveline damage. Replacing the other three partially worn tires along with the damaged tire significantly increases the cost.

The Tire Rack can provide a solution by matching the tread depth of the replacement tire to the tread depth of the partially worn tires that will remain on the vehicle by removing tread rubber from a new tire on a specialized machine that operates as a tire lathe. While this may seem counterintuitive, the value of the mileage sacrificed by the one replacement tire is considerably less than the cost of rebuilding worn driveline components.

The Tire Rack has offered a tire shaving service that has been primarily used for preparing competition tires for racetrack use. This same service can also be used to remove tread rubber from new pairs or individual street tires used on four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles to allow them to match the remaining tread depth of the other partially worn tires that will remain on the vehicle. In addition to providing equivalent tread depth to eliminate driveline stress, shaved tires will also better match the traction and handling qualities of the remaining worn tires.

While the cost of our street tire shaving service will range from $25 to $35 for each tire, it is significantly less than the cost of unnecessarily replacing the remaining two or three good tires with lots of mileage still available from them.

Here are recommendations from some of the manufactures that the Tire Rack currently serves for matching the tires used on their four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles. Additional recommendations from other Original Equipment Vehicle Manufacturers is pending.

Kieffer87

iTrader: (2)

^^Very interesting. They need to make this option more visable while shopping for tires. I am going to verify with the Dealership what they suggest but I have a feeling they will say replace all 4. The tire shaving service does seem tempting though.

I've got my factory wheels on with snows right now until I make a decision, but like you guys said my diff was screaming with the donut. Wouldn't want to drive very far on it that's for sure.

Bom's Evo

iTrader: (14)

Yes, you can follow the same rules for a FWD car with lsd. Replace in pairs because the LSD is going to control left and right tires not front and rear.

Also, our spare is full size so it is pretty close to our stock size besides the width. Yes, I agree that it shouldn't be driven on for a long time. Also, think about FWD cars when they have a flat in the front. It is recommended that switch a rear wheel to the front and use the donut in the rear.

It's just a sure thing if you replace in pairs front or rear. About the tire brands and styles. Would you want to drive on 2 snow tire and 2 summer tire? Even though I believe it wouldn't destroy the drive train right away... It would be confused, and with LSD's all around the diffs will lock up more than normal. Plus, it would drive erratic for yourself.

Lastly, think about rotating tires. You know when you rotate the rears to the front the rears will have more tread right?
The fronts wear out the most because the weight of the engine is there. Also, the front is where you steer and brake the most.
There's no real problem in normal situations when the fronts are more worn then the rears.

Kieffer87

iTrader: (2)

Ended up just getting 4 Hankook Ventus V12 Evos. They were rated 2nd by car and driver as the best summer tires and were only $134 a piece. Ended up costing $577 shipped from tirerack which isn't bad considering I'd have almost $500 spent if I bought a pair of Advans which I'm not too fond of in the first place.

Photool

iTrader: (6)

Replacing Pairs of Tires or Individual Tires

There are several suggestions that have been offered to drivers who are replacing pairs or individual tires on their four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles. Some vehicle manufacturers recommend that all tires maintain the same rolling radius and circumference, while others suggest that all tire circumferences remain within 1/4- to 1/2-inch of each other. Other vehicle manufacturers recommend that all four tires remain within 2/32-, 3/32- or 4/32-inch of each other, or within 30% of each other in relative remaining tread depth.
Regardless of the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations, the least stressful application is when all four tires are the same tire brand, tread design and equivalent tread depth.
Before buying pairs or individual tires for all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles, drivers should read their vehicle's owners manual or contact the dealer's service department for confirmation of their specific vehicle's requirements.


http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=18

lttldggr

Measure how much tread is on the opposite tire and look for the same tire with similar tread online...

Kieffer87

iTrader: (2)

^^Yea I was hoping to find some used but for 1 its hard to come by 1 used Advan A10 and 2 By the time I finally found one I would have eaten down my new blizzaks before winter even got here.

SO if anyone is in need of a pair or 1 Advan, let me know!