Do I Need to Replace Both Front Tires If One Is Damaged?
2 Answers
If one front tire is damaged, it is recommended to replace both. Below is relevant information about car tires: 1. Functions of tires: Support the entire weight of the vehicle, bear the load of the car, and transmit forces and moments in other directions; transmit traction and braking torque to ensure good adhesion between the wheels and the road surface, thereby improving the car's power performance, braking performance, and passability; work together with the car suspension to mitigate impacts during driving; 2. Tire lifespan: The lifespan of tires is related to many factors, such as climate, road conditions, driving habits, installation, maintenance, etc. According to international regulations, if tires are used normally, they must be replaced when the tread depth wears down to 1.6 millimeters.
After driving for so many years, I often get asked this question by friends. Actually, replacing just one tire isn't absolutely impossible, but there are many factors to consider. First, you need to check the wear level of the other tire—if it's still fairly new with tread depth less than halfway worn, you can temporarily replace just one for emergencies, but I recommend matching them as soon as possible. If the two front tires wear unevenly, the car may pull to one side at high speeds, and even worse, braking in rainy conditions could lead to different grip levels, increasing the risk of skidding. Safety should always come first, especially if you frequently drive long distances or carry family members. I once had a close call myself, so now I've developed a habit: whenever one tire fails, if the other has been in use for over three years or 50,000 kilometers, I replace them as a pair. Nowadays, tires aren't expensive, and you can even save money by ordering online—what matters most is driving with peace of mind, and the replacement process doesn't take much time. Regularly checking tire pressure can prevent many tire-related issues.
