FAQs
With Tire Shaving, a Flat on an AWD Car No Longer Means Replacing All Four Tires. The conventional wisdom among drivers of all-wheel-drive vehicles has been that when they need to replace a single tire, every tire should be replaced.
Do I have to replace all 4 tires on 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.
Do you have to replace all 4 tires with run flat tires? ›
depending on how much tread you have on the other tires you may have to replace in pairs, but not all 4 unless they need to be replaced because of other reasons. They say you don't want to have a brand new tire riding on the same axel as a tire with a lot of miles on it.
Do I need to replace all 4 tires on Xdrive? ›
All 4 should be changed but at the bare minimum, a pair should be changed (both front or both back). So the dealership called and said they only need to order the replacement tire and checked the tread depth and it is all within BMW's tread/circumference specs.
Is tire shaving a good idea? ›
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.
Can you just replace 1 tire on AWD? ›
Type of Vehicle: If you have an all-wheel drive (AWD) for four-wheel-drive (4x4) vehicle, it is always recommended to replace all four tires at the same time.
Can I replace just one tire on AWD vehicle? ›
It may be hard to believe that such a small difference can make a big impact, but even slightly mismatched tires could damage the drivetrain on an AWD vehicle. 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.
Is it OK to replace only 2 tires on AWD? ›
Type matters - We recommend changing all four tires for an AWD because the higher tread of new tires makes them spin slower than the older tires with a lower tread due to a reduced diameter.
Is it OK to replace 2 tires instead of 4? ›
If two of your tires wear out faster, it may only be necessary to replace those two instead of replacing all four. If you do, it's important to have the two new tires installed on the back and the partially worn tires moved to the front – even on front-wheel-drive vehicles.
Is it OK to replace run-flat tires with regular tires? ›
Yes, you can! Replacing run flat tires with run flat tires is recommended but not required. If you do choose to swap out your run flats for conventional tires, here are a few things to keep in mind. When switching from run flats to regular tires, you should replace all four tires at once.
It is recommended to replace all four at once because your tires are key to the performance and handling of your vehicle, it's important for them to be as identical as possible. If your tires don't match, one end of your vehicle may not be able to respond as quickly as the other, making it difficult to control.
Can you replace just 2 tires on a 4 wheel-drive reddit? ›
If we were talking about an AWD/ 4wd and wanting to put just 2 on, I would factor in the age tread depth and condition of the better tires and go from there. If the "better" tires are say more then half tread and are fairly new, then go for it. If you can match brand, size and model to the exact ones to the older ones.
Is xDRIVE 4 wheel-drive all the time? ›
Under normal circ*mstances, xDRIVE distributes drive power between the front and rear axles in a 40:60 ratio. When road conditions change, xDRIVE can change this distribution to provide the most power to the axles with traction, even allocating up to 100% of its power to one axle.
How long do AWD tires last? ›
Some tire experts contend that tires can last anywhere from six to ten years if they're stored and cared for properly. We recommend replacing tires aged 6-10 years, no matter how much tread remains. When it comes to replacing tires, things can be a little unpredictable.
Does Discount Tire offer tire shaving? ›
Discount Tire does not perform tire shaving services. It is not a service that we endorse as it may void the tread life warranty and coverage of Certificates purchased with your tires.
Why do people shave tires? ›
Another method to maximize the performance of your track and competition tires is called "tire shaving". This process shaves off the outermost layer of tread area, accessing the tire's best performance characteristics without having to wear them to that point.
Is it OK to replace 2 tires on AWD? ›
Type matters - We recommend changing all four tires for an AWD because the higher tread of new tires makes them spin slower than the older tires with a lower tread due to a reduced diameter.
Should I replace 2 or 4 tires on AWD? ›
It is recommended to replace your tires in sets of four for all vehicles but particularly important for all-wheel drive vehicles. All four tires should be the same brand, tread design, size, construction and tread depth to prevent differences in the outside diameter of each tire.
Is it OK to replace only 2 tires? ›
If two of your tires wear out faster, it may only be necessary to replace those two instead of replacing all four. If you do, it's important to have the two new tires installed on the back and the partially worn tires moved to the front – even on front-wheel-drive vehicles.
Should new tires go on front or back AWD? ›
By placing the newer, better tires on the rear of the car, we're maximizing the control and traction available at the rear wheels and keeping the rear of the car as stable and planted as possible. For most typical, everyday drivers, a loss of control at the rear axle isn't something that's easily managed.