Should tires be replaced in pairs?
2 Answers
Replacing tires depends on different situations. Here are the relevant introductions for tire replacement: 1. For front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive vehicles, you can replace only the tires on the driving wheels. For all-wheel drive vehicles, it is recommended to replace all four tires at the same time. 2. If it is a new car and has not been driven much, you only need to replace the problematic tire because the wear on the tires of the same axle is similar. 3. If the tires have been driven for tens of thousands of kilometers but do not need replacement yet, and only one tire has a problem, replacing just one tire may cause uneven height, leading to bumpy rides or steering issues at higher speeds. In this case, it is best to replace a pair of tires. 4. If the repair shop does not have the same brand or model of tire for the vehicle, replace a pair for short-term driving, but for long-term driving, two pairs should be replaced.
Is it necessary to replace two tires at the same time during a tire change? I must say, from a safety perspective, it's extremely important. I've been driving for many years, and every time I replace tires, I always do it in pairs because only when both tires wear evenly does the vehicle drive steadily. If you only replace one new tire, its grip will differ from the old tire, leading to slower braking, less responsive turning, and especially in rainy or snowy conditions, it can easily cause skidding—it's no joke. The new tire will wear out quickly, the old one may not hold up, and the overall balance being off can accelerate wear on other parts. I recommend developing a habit of regularly checking your tires and replacing them together when the wear is similar—don't compromise safety for small savings. In the long run, replacing both is more cost-effective than replacing just one, reducing the number of trips to the shop and saving money where it counts.
