Replacing 1 tire?

[expegino]

2022 Expedition Timberline, 20K on the car/tires.

1 tire has some sort of a puncture of in the inside sidewall, causing a slow leak, and cannot be fixed.

Tires currently on are GY Wrangler.

What is the general consensus on replacing the one tire, vs 2 tires, vs all 4 tires? From what I gather on the internet, AWD/4WD vehicles are sensitive to operation with tires w/ different threads. That leads me to believe all 4 should be replaced.

Thank you! (I tried to use the search function, but couldn't find anything on the topic).

Cheers

 

[Fastcar]

4X4 are sensitive if different size tires are placed on the same axle with true posi traction. The tread design unless you put a mudder on along with a highway tread shouldn't make a whole heck of a lot of difference imo.

 

[expegino]

Thank you, great point about the thread design, I didn't think about that. I was going to replace the tire w/ one exactly the same. What about thread depths? Is a new tire going to make a difference w/ another one on the same axle that has 20K miles on it?

 

[Frank Wilson]

Thank you, great point about the thread design, I didn't think about that. I was going to replace the tire w/ one exactly the same. What about thread depths? Is a new tire going to make a difference w/ another one on the same axle that has 20K miles on it?

I'd just put the new one on and forget about it. When the other three need replaced, just do all four.

 

[Calidad]

Its only an issue if your using awd on surfaces that don’t require it. Another words if your only using awd on slick poor surfaces minor tire size differences shouldn’t be an issue. Huge snow dump this past week I was in and out of awd the past 5 days given I was going between snow packed roads to just wet pavement where awd is unnecessary. Easy enough to switch between as needed.

 

[ccssid]

A good read:

https://www.tirerack.com/upgrade-garage/can-tires-be-shaved-to-match-tread-depths-on-allwheel-drive-fourwheel-drive-vehicles

 

[Fastcar]

A good read:

https://www.tirerack.com/upgrade-garage/can-tires-be-shaved-to-match-tread-depths-on-allwheel-drive-fourwheel-drive-vehicles

Is a good read. But remember Tire Rack sells tires. I'd suggest that the air pressure fluctuation caused by the sun heating the tires on one side increase or decrease the size of the tire as much or more than individual tire wear. Unless your using nitrogen.

 

[Moeman]

Agree with previous comment, and will go even further to say that just maintaining the same exact tire pressure in every tire is not something every owner does. I'm probably one of the more particular people. I shoot for 0.5psi when I check them, but I won't hassle changing it if TPMS is telling me they're within 2psi.

 

[JasonH]

Generally on an AWD vehicle you would change the tires on the same axle. But if you're not using the AWD, it shouldn't be a problem. Some stores will give you a credit towards a new tire if the old one still has tread and can be sold as used.

 

[VCFP153]

I would replace at least 2.

 

[Mr Big]

You can replace one tire with the same tire tread and size. If you are worried about a difference, put the new tire on the back and keep 2 matched tires on the front.
I've owned 2- and 4-wheeldrive trucks for decades and if I get a blowout and my tires are still good, I replace the one bad tire. I've never experienced any anomalies if the new tire goes on the back. If you put the new tire on the front, you risk the vehicle wanting to drift because of the resistance due to mismatched tread.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

If you put the new tire on the front, you risk the vehicle wanting to drift because of the resistance due to mismatched tread.

^^THIS^^

And just a side note, but I have noticed some tire shops around me (SW PA) have signs up that say that if they are replacing only 1 or 2 tires, they are required (?) to put the new ones on the back and move the existing back ones to the front for this very reason...

Not sure if it's a local thing, state thing or some funky federal thing that nobody wants to talk about until you need a new tire(s), but regardless, it's still a good idea IMHO...

However, barring an irreparable puncture (like the OP) or a blowout, under normal circumstances, I ALWAYS replace all 4 tires at the same time. But OTOH, I have been accused of having OCD about keeping my tires rotated/balanced/aligned/inflated correctly too

And also a warning for anyone who cares:

"But remember Tire Rack sells tires" this is SO true in SO many ways, to the point that I refuse to go within 3000 miles of one of their stores..been there, done that, NEVER AGAIN !!!!!

Thankfully I have 2 local tire shops that I know I can trust to do excellent work @excellent prices, WITHOUT any yippity yappity nonsense about "oh, and BTW, you also need this $800 part/repair too, we might as well do it now, while we have it up on the rack"

 

[BravoAlpha]

Get one tire and rotate the spare into the mix. Now you got two new tires on the front axle and a proven spare