Do You Need to Replace Two Tires Together When Changing Tires?
2 Answers
Replacing tires does not necessarily require changing two together; it depends on the situation. Cases for replacing one tire: If one of the four tires on the car is accidentally damaged and must be replaced, only that one tire needs to be changed, while the other usable tires can continue to be used. Cases for replacing a pair of tires: When car tires wear down to the specified position and need replacement, 99% of car owners replace two tires at once, one on the left and one on the right, because the wear on the left and right tires is generally the same. If all four tires are severely worn, all four should be replaced at once. The front tires should ideally maintain consistent tread and wear, while the rear tires are less critical.
Actually, you don’t necessarily have to replace two tires at once, but it’s generally recommended, especially for tires on the same axle, to ensure driving balance and safety. Once, I only replaced one front tire because the other had less wear, but the new tire had better grip while the old one held it back, causing the steering wheel to shake during turns, and I almost skidded off the wet road in the rain. Later, a mechanic told me that a significant difference in tread depth can lead to unstable handling and increase accident risks. For regular wear checks: use a coin to measure the tread—if it’s less than 1.6 mm, it’s time for a replacement. Considering tires typically last around 50,000 km, replacing them in pairs ensures even usage and prevents rapid wear on the new tire. In short, safety comes first—don’t cut corners to save a little money.
