Will the car pull to one side if the front tires are one new and one old?
3 Answers
Will the car pull to one side if the front tires are one new and one old? The reason is that the new tire has higher air pressure, while the old tire is slightly more worn, resulting in different grip levels between the left and right tires. The causes of vehicle pulling to one side are as follows: Different tire tread patterns: The tread patterns on the two sides are different, or one side is deeper while the other is shallower. It is best to use the same model of tires for the entire vehicle. At the very least, the two tires on the front axle and the two on the rear axle must be the same, and the tread depth must be identical. If they exceed the wear limit, they must be replaced. Unequal tire pressure on both sides: Unequal tire pressure will cause the tires to become different in size, inevitably leading to pulling to one side when rolling. Uneven spring deformation of the front shock absorbers: The condition of the shock absorber springs can be judged by pressing or comparing after disassembly.
I've been driving for over a decade and have seen many cases where the front wheels have one new and one old tire, which can indeed cause the car to pull to one side. The reason is that the new tire has better grip and less wear, while the old tire is heavily worn and has poor grip. This imbalance in traction can easily pull the vehicle off course. Especially during high-speed driving or cornering, the handling becomes unstable, making the car more prone to drifting and increasing the risk of accidents. It's just as bad as having uneven tire pressure, as it affects braking distance, which can be dangerous in emergency situations. My advice is to always replace tires in pairs on the same axle—don't skimp on this cost. Make it a habit to regularly check your tires, inspecting wear every 5,000 kilometers to ensure it's even. Safety comes first—don’t let such small issues lead to big trouble.
From a mechanical perspective, I've worked on many cars, and pairing new and old tires together often leads to alignment issues. Uneven tire wear and differences in diameter can affect front-wheel alignment, causing the vehicle to pull to one side. Over time, this can also wear out suspension components, increasing repair costs. New tires have better grip, while old ones are more slippery, creating an imbalance in handling—resulting in poor cornering or drifting during straight-line driving. I've dealt with similar cases before, and the best practice is to replace tires regularly and check balance, ensuring even wear on both sides. It's similar to checking tire pressure—neglecting it can worsen problems, affecting driving stability and comfort.
