Do I Need to Replace All Four Tires?
2 Answers
Replacing all four tires is necessary because tires bear the overall weight of the vehicle and require high balance. If not replaced simultaneously, it can affect the vehicle's operational balance, such as causing the car to drift without steering input or experiencing skidding during braking. These issues can directly impact safe driving, with greater imbalance leading to more significant effects. Replacing all four tires at the same time, along with tire rotation, helps maintain consistent wear rates, ensuring uniform performance across all tires. Tires on the same axle should be of the same specification, structure, manufacturer, and tread pattern.
You don't necessarily have to replace all four tires at once, it depends on the situation. For general city driving, if the other two tires still have minimal wear, you can just replace with the same brand and put them on the rear axle. But be aware that mixing old and new tires may cause uneven force distribution, making the car prone to pulling to one side. If you frequently drive on highways or the tires are over five years old, replacing them all is the safest option. Don't try to save money by only replacing the front tires – if they hydroplane in rainy conditions, losing control of the rear end is even more dangerous. I always check the tread wear indicators when replacing tires; if they're below 1.6mm, I replace them all without hesitation. Remember to get wheel balancing done for new tires to avoid steering wheel vibration.
