Do All Four Car Tires Need to Be Replaced at the Same Time?

[HoldenFitz]

Car tires do not need to be replaced all four at the same time, but it is best to replace them in pairs. Changing both tires on the same side ensures that the tread patterns and wear levels are consistent, making the car more stable and safer to drive. The typical lifespan of a tire is about 2 to 3 years or 60,000 to 100,000 kilometers. During each maintenance check, the tire pressure and wear condition should be inspected. Tire pressure should be maintained between 200 kPa and 280 kPa. Both underinflation and overinflation can affect driving safety and the tire's lifespan. Tires are circular elastic rubber products mounted on metal rims, designed to support the vehicle body, absorb external shocks, maintain contact with the road surface, and ensure optimal driving performance.

[LeLilliana]

Last time I changed tires, I asked the master at the 4S店, and he said it's best to replace all four at once. Tires from the same batch have consistent wear, so the car won't pull to one side when driving on the highway, and the handling is better. My 5-year-old Focus was completely replaced following his advice, and now the steering feels very stable. Of course, if some tires are particularly new, it's acceptable to replace only the damaged ones, but the new tires should be installed on the rear wheels, as the front wheels are responsible for steering and are more prone to slipping. If you only replace two, tires with different grip levels can really make you nervous on rainy days. In the end, safety comes first, and if your budget allows, replacing all four is the most worry-free option.

[AndresAnn]

As a mother of two, I pay special attention to tires. Replacing tires depends on the specific condition of the car: if all four tires are worn out to a similar extent, replacing them all at once is safer, especially when frequently driving on highways to pick up and drop off kids. If you've just replaced two new tires a few thousand kilometers ago, it's also acceptable to replace only the damaged one. I remember Old Zhang in our neighborhood, whose front tire tread was almost worn flat but he hesitated to replace them all, resulting in a rear-end collision on a rainy day. Now, I regularly use a coin to measure the groove depth of the tires and prepare to replace them when they wear down to the warning line.

[CalebLee]

Having worked in an auto repair shop for eight years, I've seen too many tire blowout incidents. Replacing all four tires simultaneously is the industry standard because new tires have consistent friction coefficients, ensuring more stable braking distances. Especially for front-wheel-drive vehicles, where the front tires handle 70% of the braking, new tires are a must. However, for cost-conscious individuals like taxi drivers, they can move the less worn rear tires to the front and only replace two new tires on the rear. The key is to identify the cause of the wear—whether it's misalignment or suspension issues. I once had a customer who, to save money, replaced only one tire, and three months later, the other tires were all deformed.

[MacCassandra]

Just changed tires and sharing some insights: It really depends on the budget! I drive a used Polo as my daily car, and last year during Double 11, I replaced all four tires with discounted ones for just over 800 yuan. If it's a brand-new car, I'd recommend considering a full replacement at the 30,000-kilometer check-up. But from my experience, when the front tire tread wears down to 1.6mm, it's time to change them, while the rear tires can hold out until 1mm. However, it's crucial to avoid mixing tires from different brands—different rubber compounds can affect grip. Last month, a friend tried to save money by replacing two tires with off-brand ones mixed with the original tires, and the car started drifting during high-speed turns.