Do car tires have to be replaced in pairs?
3 Answers
Whether car tires need to be replaced in pairs depends on the specific situation: 1. If one of the four tires is accidentally damaged and needs to be replaced, only that one tire needs to be changed; 2. When car tires are normally worn to the specified position and need to be replaced, two tires should be replaced at the same time. Situations that require tire replacement include: 1. Tire deformation; 2. Severe damage to the tire body; 3. Severe damage to the tread; 4. Damage to the bead; 5. Bulging or cracking on the tire sidewall; 6. Damage caused by driving with insufficient tire pressure; 7. Tires that have been repaired more than three times; 8. Tires worn to the wear limit; 9. Chemical corrosion; 10. Severe aging and peeling.
I think it's best to replace car tires in pairs, not just one. The reason is simple: uneven tire wear can affect vehicle handling and safety. Last month, I encountered this issue: one tire got punctured by a nail, and I thought replacing just that one would be fine. However, when driving on the highway, the car kept pulling to one side, and during emergency braking, it nearly went out of control, which scared me into rushing to the repair shop. The mechanic explained that mixing old and new tires can cause differences in grip, especially on wet or slippery roads, making it easier to skid. Additionally, the tires on the drive wheels must be consistent. For front-wheel or rear-wheel drive vehicles, you should replace both front or both rear tires to maintain balance. With four-wheel drive vehicles, you need to be even more careful, as mismatched tires can cause issues with the drivetrain. During regular checks of tire pressure and tread wear, pay attention to differences between the tires on both sides. It's also recommended to perform regular wheel alignments to prevent problems. For the sake of safety, spending a bit more to replace tires in pairs is definitely worth it.
As a frequent visitor to auto shops, I understand that tire replacement doesn't strictly require changing two at once, but I strongly recommend doing so. Only when tires wear at the same rate can vehicle performance remain stable. If only one tire is replaced, the difference in tread depth between the new and old tires can lead to uneven grip during braking, potentially increasing stopping distance; it may also cause pulling during steering, affecting handling. This risk is particularly heightened in rainy or snowy conditions. Once, while helping a friend with car repairs, I noticed a slight drop in fuel efficiency after replacing just one tire—the imbalance in resistance increased fuel consumption. When checking wear, it's crucial to observe if it's even on both the inner and outer edges; if wear is severe, it's better to replace all tires to avoid future issues. For non-drive wheels, a single replacement is temporarily acceptable, but the new tire must match the size and type of the old ones. Regular tire rotation can extend lifespan and reduce the frequency of paired replacements, but prioritizing safety is always worthwhile.
