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Subaru has the tightest tolerance and they sell 500,000+ cars per year in the United States these days. 2/32" is the max tread depth difference between tires. If you have a tire fail, you have to shave the replacement tire to match or replace all four tires.
My Toyota 2004 WD (not sure if it's true 4x4) two front tires are getting low on thread and will need to be replaced soon.
I read online that for all wheel drive cars you must change all four tires at the same time. Is that correct? I rather not buy four new tires since the rear ones still have a lot of thread on them.
I have an AWD, large SUV, and I only replaced the two front tires.
My Toyota 2004 WD (not sure if it's true 4x4) two front tires are getting low on thread and will need to be replaced soon.
I read online that for all wheel drive cars you must change all four tires at the same time. Is that correct? I rather not buy four new tires since the rear ones still have a lot of thread on them.
No for most cases.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Surfertx
Is it normal for AWD car to have front wear out faster? Wife did replace all 4 tires (bought from Costco) about two years ago.
If one never rotates tires then one would notice that on any car that the front tires wear faster than the rear. Keep in mind that those are the tires that turn left and right also. Add also that front tires have to grip the road first, so depending how hard one hits the accelerator that will also create wear.
As a owner of Japanese AWD's (Subaru and Lexus/Toyota going back to the 90's) they've all been FT systems. So whenever a negative situation occurs the other tires take over and adjust the drive. American AWD's are PT systems, they are normally in 2WD and convert to AWD when the needs arises. They feel of of the drive is noticeably different.
Normally replacing two tires will be fine. But it depends on how much the wear is on the other tires. So if your front tires are reaching 2/32 and your rear tires are at much higher X/32 let's say. Then you need to take the vehicle somewhere and check it for front end for issues. It could be something as small as needing an alignment or something as large as a frame problem.
i would never have known that these cars were so sensitive to such minor differences.
i dont think the car will fail to start if you only change 1, 2, 3, donut spare, ... tires; however, from the tone of this thread, i gather it would be more ideal to change all 4 at once, finances permitting, so that the fwd/4wd/awd/... system operates optimally.
If one never rotates tires then one would notice that on any car that the front tires wear faster than the rear. Keep in mind that those are the tires that turn left and right also. Add also that front tires have to grip the road first, so depending how hard one hits the accelerator that will also create wear.
As a owner of Japanese AWD's (Subaru and Lexus/Toyota going back to the 90's) they've all been FT systems. So whenever a negative situation occurs the other tires take over and adjust the drive. American AWD's are PT systems, they are normally in 2WD and convert to AWD when the needs arises. They feel of of the drive is noticeably different.
Normally replacing two tires will be fine. But it depends on how much the wear is on the other tires. So if your front tires are reaching 2/32 and your rear tires are at much higher X/32 let's say. Then you need to take the vehicle somewhere and check it for front end for issues. It could be something as small as needing an alignment or something as large as a frame problem.
National origin doesn't matter-- Most AWD vehicles are FWD until the front wheels slip then they transfer power to the rear.
Some Subaru models are full time 50/50 torque split. Audis with the longitudinal drivetrain (A4 and higher models) are 50/50 torque split or 60/40 etc.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee and Durango are RWD until the rear wheels slip but some models also have a real transfer case that can lock
It seems that per the manual the RAV4 is now a PT AWD system, so depending on the depth of all four tires and their location on the vehicle it may cause it to pull in a different direction than center. Also it seems that all four tires need to be similar is size due for the electronics to work correctly. Has nothing to do with normal driving. It has no off road capability at all
Quote:
Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, tread pattern and
total load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the
recommended tire inflation pressure level.
The ABS, TRAC and VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems will not function
correctly if different tires are installed on the vehicle.
Quote:
Do not mix tires of different makes, models or tread patterns.
Also, do not mix tires of remarkably different treadwear.
The dealer replaced 2 tires at a time for me for my Lexus RX350, so I don't see why not. I honestly can't remember if they rotated or changed anything up, but the dealer will do it, so I'm sure it's fine.
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