Can I Replace Just One Tire On My AWD?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can I replace just one tire on my AWD? Replacing just one or two tires on an AWD vehicle

could cause unnecessary wear and tear on your drivetrain

, or confuse the traction control system to think that you are frequently losing traction. A new tire is larger in diameter than one of the same brand, type and size that's part way through its tread life.

Is it OK to just replace one tire?

Tread of other tires:

If the other three tires are fairly new, you may be able to get by with just replacing one or two tires without drastically impacting performance and safety

. As a rule of thumb, if the other 2 or 3 tires are worn down more than 4/32 of an inch of tread, you should replace all 4 tires.

Can you replace one tire on a front wheel drive car?

CARS.COM —

You can safely replace only one tire if the others still have most of their tread

.

Can you put one new tire on a 4 wheel drive?

Let's Recap: If your tires' tread depth will be within 4/32” of each other, you can get away with replacing just one or two tires.

If you drive an AWD vehicle, the tires must be within 2/32” of each other

. But you should always check the vehicle owner's manual to see what the manufacturer recommends.

Do all wheel drive cars need all 4 tires replaced at the same time?

For all-wheel-drive (AWD) cars,

it is recommended that all four tires be replaced at the same time

. This is because in these cars, the computer and differential work simultaneously to supply torque to each wheel, ensuring maximum control.

Do you have to replace all 4 tires on a 4WD?

On AWD and FT-FWD vehicle, you may need to change all four tires (even if only one tire has gone bad). With AWD and FT-4WD vehicles, replacing less than 4 tires can be harmful to your vehicle's drive-train. This is why many AWD/FT-4WD vehicle manufacturers state that

all 4 tires need to be replaced at the same time

.

Where do you put 2 new tires on a front wheel drive car?

When tires are replaced in pairs, the new tires should always be installed

on the rear axle

, and the partially worn tires should be moved to the front.

Can you buy a single tire?

Typically, when you're faced with replacing only one tire, it's the result of an unrepairable situation such as a flat or a blow-out. Unfortunately, not all tires are repairable or worth saving.

Replacing only one tire mostly depends on how much tread is remaining on the opposite tire on the same axle

.

Can mismatched tires cause transmission problems?


Yes, mismatched tires can cause transmission problems

. It doesn't matter whether you're driving a two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive vehicle. What is this? Mismatched tires can cause a host of issues in the drivetrain, including the transmission.

Should I replace all 4 tires or just 2?


It's always best to replace all 4 tires at the same time

. This is because all 4 tires spin independently of one another, and different tread depths and/or styles can cause them to spin at different speeds. That could potentially damage the drive train, and possibly affect an indirect TPMS system if the vehicle has one.

Which tires wear faster on AWD?


Front tires

on an all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle often wear more quickly than those on the rear axle. Why? Because your front tires handle most of the braking and steering.

How often rotate tires AWD?

Since tires on AWD vehicles wear at different speeds, it's recommended that they are rotated

every 3,000 to 5,000 miles

. Again, this is a rule of thumb.

Do you rotate tires on AWD?


It's essential to have your all-wheel-drive vehicle's tires rotated like clockwork

. The tires on these vehicles wear at different spots, as each tire works independently of the other. These types of vehicles are much more prone to uneven tire wear, making a regular rotation a must.

What are the disadvantages of all wheel drive?

  • AWD typically doesn't get as much life out of the tires because all four wheels are being powered while driving.
  • Added weight can reduce fuel efficiency.
  • Limited off-road capabilities.
  • A more complex system, which raises the cost of a vehicle.

Can you put different size tires on an all wheel drive?

Having different sizes on some four wheel and all wheel drive vehicles

can actually do damage to the vehicle

. Since tires vary from brand to brand, and even from model to model, damage can even occur with tires of the same size if they have a large enough difference in circumference.

Can you replace one tire with a different brand?

Keep in mind, you can replace just one tire if your other tires have most of their tread, but

you must make sure you buy the same Tire Brand/Make/Model of your other tires for optimal performance

.

Can I replace just 2 tires?

Mixing tire brands or even different models may cause handling instability. And

when replacing only two, we recommend installing the new tires in the rear and placing the (older but still decent) rear tires in the front

. This may help prevent a spinout or oversteer condition on slick roads.

Is it OK to have different front and rear tires?


A car with mismatched front and back tires should still be usable, especially if it is a two wheel drive vehicle

. Tires wear out at different rates, and if one is more worn than the other, simply rotating the tires may be a possibility to prevent further wear.

Do front and rear tires need to match?

For optimal safety and performance,

Continental recommends fitting the same tires to every wheel position on your car

, so drivers should have the same brand, size, tread pattern, load index, and speed rating on the front and rear tires.

Can you mix and match tires on a car?

Is It OK to Mix Tires on Your Vehicle? The short answer is that, in general,

manufacturers do not recommend tire mixing at all

. For optimal safety and performance, it is recommended that vehicles are fitted with the same tires to every wheel position on your car.

Do tires need to be replaced in pairs?


Most of the time, you should replace your tires in pairs

. On some AWD vehicles, the manufacturer may even recommend replacing all four tires.

Can I replace just one tire on a Subaru?

Your Subaru's AWD system needs tires of uniform diameter and tread pattern to operate at peak performance. Subaru recommends replacing all four tires at once. However,

if your remaining three tires are relatively new then you may be able to replace just one with the same brand, model, and size

.

How much does it cost to replace one tire?

The tire replacement cost of a single standard tire is about

$50-$200

, depending on brand and quality. SUVs and other large vehicles can rise to around $350. Large trucks, such as pick-ups, usually cost about the same. Generally, it's a good idea to replace all your tires at once.

Does tread pattern matter on AWD?


You can only have about a 3/32 tread difference between tires on any AWD or 4×4

. The reason is with the different tread depth the tires will rotate at different rates and put un-wanted stress on the AWD drive train that can cause damage to it.

What happens if you mix match tires?

Mixed tires

can make it difficult to drive

. They make it impossible to predict the movement of a car when accelerating, decelerating, braking, and turning. Apart from steering problems, it can also affect the traction or “grip” of your vehicle, particularly when driving across wet surfaces.

Can you run two different size tires on the same axle?

Having two different-sized tires on the same axle is

generally not a good thing

. If the diameter of the two tires is close, then the rolling radius is about the same, so in the short term, you probably won't have any damage, but long term, you run the risk of messing up your car's differential.

Should newer tires be in front or back?

According to Tire Review,

new tires should always go in the back

. Rear tires provide the vehicle stability, and if they have little tread, then stability is lost.

Why do front tires wear faster AWD?

Which Tires Wear Faster On AWD? On an all-wheel-drive setup, the front tires wear faster

because they're the ones that do most of the braking and steering

. For this reason, even though the tires on all axles are used to generate traction, the ones on the front are subjected to more lateral forces.

How long should all wheel drive tires last?

Do tires need to be replaced in pairs?


Most of the time, you should replace your tires in pairs

. On some AWD vehicles, the manufacturer may even recommend replacing all four tires.

Is it OK to mix and match tires?

Primarily,

you should avoid mixing different tire brands and different tread patterns

. There are rare exceptions for approved mixed-tire fittings, but in general, manufacturers do not recommend tire mixing at all.

Is it safe to drive with mismatched tires?

Do I need to replace two tires at a time?

Placing the new tires on the rear axle helps maintain safer and more predictable handling.

As you approach 70 percent worn or more, you should just replace all four tires

. Get everything you need to know when it comes to your vehicle. To maintain optimum and balanced handling, remember not to change the type of tire.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.