Should You Replace Two Tires When One Is Damaged?
3 Answers
When one tire is damaged, it is advisable to replace a pair of tires. Below is relevant information about tires: 1. Main material of tires: The primary material of tires is rubber. Rubber has the characteristic of aging over time or when stored, leading to significant changes in the tire's physical properties such as hardness and wear resistance. If aged tires continue to be used, it may affect vehicle performance at best or cause a blowout at worst. 2. Tire lifespan: Generally, all-season or economy tires have a lifespan of 3-5 years or about 50,000 kilometers. Under normal circumstances, tires have a sufficient lifespan of 1 year from the date of manufacture. However, for high-performance tires, the lifespan is only about 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers.
I drive frequently, and when a tire is damaged, it's generally recommended to replace both tires on the same axle, such as the front or rear wheels. This helps maintain the vehicle's balance and prevents steering instability or accelerated wear caused by uneven tire wear on the left and right sides. From my experience, if only one tire is replaced, especially when the other tires have been used for several years, the difference in grip between the new and old tires can pose safety risks at high speeds. A friend of mine only replaced one front tire, and soon after, the other side also developed issues, requiring additional expenses for a wheel alignment. In short, replacing two tires is safer and more economical, unless all the tires are still relatively new, in which case replacing just one may be considered. Regularly checking the tread depth can also help identify problems in time.
As a car owner with years of driving experience, I believe it depends on the situation. If the other three tires are less than two years old and the tread depth is more than half, replacing only the damaged one is a cost-saving option. However, if the tires are severely worn, such as being over three or four years old or having tens of thousands of kilometers, it's more reasonable to replace two tires on the same axle to avoid issues like shaking or braking problems caused by the difference between new and old tires. I once tried replacing just one tire, and the car kept pulling to one side during acceleration—it was only fixed after a mechanic adjusted it. Remember, the position of the drive wheels is also important—for front-wheel-drive cars, prioritize replacing the two front tires. Cost-wise, replacing an extra tire might cost a few hundred more, but the long-term savings on maintenance are worth it. It's advisable to perform a wheel balance after replacing the tires.
