Replace All 4 Tires at Once?

Blog Jul 28th, 2021

Do I really need to replace all 4 tires at once?

If you’re just getting around to taking off your winter tires, you may soon realize that one (or several) of your old summer tires are no longer safe for use. While you may be tempted to save a few bucks and just replace the worn out one(s), you could be putting yourself at risk by doing so.

Read ahead to learn the importance of replacing all four of your tires together:

Finding a comparable pair

If you choose to replace just one of your tires, or even a pair, the odds are slim that you’ll be able to find a “match set” with the same tread as the older ones. While this may not seem like a huge issue as long as you find a similar pair, you’ll be left with two tires with inferior tread, which could cause an issue down the road.

All-wheel drive

If you own a vehicle equipped with all-wheel drive, you could run into some serious problems if you don’t replace all four tires at once.

For all-wheel drive to work properly, all four tires must have the same tread design, make and model. If they don’t, the computer won’t be able to get the correct reading, which could burn out the drivetrain.

It’s also simply not safe to drive with tires with different tread lives, as mismatched tires tend to rotate at different speeds. This may not seem like a huge deal in the summer, but remember that driving in the rain can be just as dangerous as driving in the winter, especially with the increased risk of hydroplaning.

Is it that bad?

If you’re on a tight budget, you may be able to get away with replacing just two of your tires, but be aware that you may be putting yourself in harm’s way by doing so. Ideally, if you are going to replace just a single pair, make sure to move them to the back, and the older pair to the front. Ideally, if you are going to replace just a single pair, make sure to move them to the back, and the older pair to the front. Whatever you do, make sure that the pair you buy is at least the same make and model as your current set.

Avoiding the problem in the future?

If you notice that your tires tend to wear out at different rates, there’s a good chance that you aren’t rotating them often enough. Since front tires wear quicker than rear tires, it’s a good idea to swap them every 8,000 – 10,000 kilometres to keep them fresh. Most mechanics won’t take long at all to complete the job, and a tire rotation can often be done at a very reasonable price.

While some mechanics may recommend rotating in your spare tire, it’s probably not in your best interest to do so. Sure, it will help to lengthen the lifespan of the set, but spare tires aren’t typically designed for longer driving, and the mismatch in wear could also cause a problem.