Do I Need to Replace More Than One Tire at a Time?

A damaged tire puts you and your car in danger. While keeping four pieces of rubber in good working condition may seem as easy as it gets, there are a number of complications that can come into play. If you want to keep your tires and your car healthy, keep reading. 

Can I replace just one tire?

The answer to this question depends on a few variables. In short, under the right circumstances, it can be totally ok to only change one tire. Keep reading to learn more about the factors that come into play when it comes to proper tire maintenance.

Check for Tread Consistency

The tread condition across all four tires determines whether it is sufficient to only replace the tire in question or change all four. If tread depth varies too severely across your tires, your ride will be shaky and mechanical issues can begin to develop.

Specialists suggest replacing a tire when the depth of the track is less than 4/32 of an inch. Use a penny to check the tread depth of the remaining three tires. If it is noticeably lower than the tread on another tire, you will have to change all four to bring them back to even treads.

Does the type of tire I use matter?

All four of your tires should be the same brand and style. If your tires are not the same, you out your car’s alignment and your own safety in jeopardy. 

If you replace a single tire with a different type than the other three, it could cause the vehicle to wobble or worse. Everything from cornering to deceleration and handling will be influenced.

Can I change only one tire if my vehicle is AWD?

If your vehicle is all-wheel-drive, it is a good idea to change all four tires at the same time. Since all of your tires are taxed roughly the same amount in AWD vehicles, your tires should all be on a similar schedule when it comes to replacement.  Diverse tread depths are dangerous for an AWD vehicle as it influences the powertrain and can cause all four wheels to lock up.

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