Can you buy only 2 tires for a small 4WD suv? (2010, RAV4)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
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.
The RX350/330 has a completely different AWD system. Lexus does front/rear and not criss-cross rotations.
Spend more time, because that proved absolutely nothing.
What the article says is (and you have to consider the source, a TIRE SELLER!) is:
"By having all four tires at the same tread depth, power can be distributed evenly. This avoids the strain of shifting power to one pair of tires (per axle) or one individual tire when mixing old and new tires on the same axle. However, if the differentials or viscous couplings are forced to operate 100% of the time because of mismatched tires, they will experience excessive heat and unwarranted wear until they fail."
Nowhere does the article state the max difference allowable is 2/32", which is what another poster stated, and it's absolutely false.
Not even on high performance sports cars with full time AWD systems are they that finicky. I know, I have one, and I've experimented with multiple sizes over the years.
What really matters is that the total tire circumference be within 2-3% of each other.
Here's an example. A typical size tire, say, 225/50/18 for a light duty SUV, has a diameter of 26.9". A 235/50/18 tire has a diameter of 27.3"... a difference of just 1.5%. New tires typically have a tread depth of 10/32, and a completely used tire of 2/32. The difference between the 2 is 1/4". Point is, you could run a completely different size tire, and STILL be ok so long as you don't overdo it.
That is WELL within tolerances for an AWD system, and it's only suckers who don't know any better who run out and buy 4 new tires when they only need 2.
Spend more time, because that proved absolutely nothing.
What the article says is (and you have to consider the source, a TIRE SELLER!) is:
"By having all four tires at the same tread depth, power can be distributed evenly. This avoids the strain of shifting power to one pair of tires (per axle) or one individual tire when mixing old and new tires on the same axle. However, if the differentials or viscous couplings are forced to operate 100% of the time because of mismatched tires, they will experience excessive heat and unwarranted wear until they fail."
Nowhere does the article state the max difference allowable is 2/32", which is what another poster stated, and it's absolutely false.
Not even on high performance sports cars with full time AWD systems are they that finicky. I know, I have one, and I've experimented with multiple sizes over the years.
What really matters is that the total tire circumference be within 2-3% of each other.
Here's an example. A typical size tire, say, 225/50/18 for a light duty SUV, has a diameter of 26.9". A 235/50/18 tire has a diameter of 27.3"... a difference of just 1.5%. New tires typically have a tread depth of 10/32, and a completely used tire of 2/32. The difference between the 2 is 1/4". Point is, you could run a completely different size tire, and STILL be ok so long as you don't overdo it.
That is WELL within tolerances for an AWD system, and it's only suckers who don't know any better who run out and buy 4 new tires when they only need 2.
Maybe YOU should spend a little more time reading it, because inside that article is this link
Here are recommendations from some of the manufactures that Tire Rack currently serves for matching the tires used on their four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles. Additional recommendations from other Original Equipment Vehicle Manufacturers is pending.
Audi As published in their vehicle owner's manual, "rolling radius of all 4 tires must remain the same" or within 4/32-inch of each other in remaining tread depth.
Porsche Cayenne within 30% of the other tire on the same axle's remaining treadwear.
Nissan GT-R when replacing less than four (4) tires, each tire continuing in service must have at least 6/32 inch (5 mm) of remaining tread depth.
Subaru Within 1/4-inch of tire circumference or about 2/32-inch of each other in remaining tread depth.
The owner's manual in a Subaru doesn't even give you that much leeway. Calls for outright matching size, tread, etc and explicitly degree of wear. Otherwise it may lead to "serious mechanical damage to the drivetrain".
Subaru Within 1/4-inch of tire circumference or about 2/32-inch of each other in remaining tread depth.
You got that from Tirerack, who is basing that off an ERRONEOUS misprint that Subaru put out for years, which they themselves no longer follow. Don't believe me? Go look at the size of a Subaru spare and tell me how much smaller it is than their standard sized wheel/tire setup.
Quote:
Originally Posted by notnamed
The owner's manual in a Subaru doesn't even give you that much leeway. Calls for outright matching size, tread, etc and explicitly degree of wear. Otherwise it may lead to "serious mechanical damage to the drivetrain".
Subaru screwed up many years ago with a misprint in their maintenance guides that called for no more difference than 1/4" in the CIRCUMFERENCE of their tires.
Problem is, they meant DIAMETER. This had the effect of scaring Subie owners into buying a brand new set of tires every time anything happened to a tire. Nevermind the fact that there are plenty of stories of owners who routinely just replace 2 or even 1 tire and drive with no ill effects. It's not damaging the drivetrain and heating it to failure. You'll hear countless Subaru owners say this on Subaru forums. The NASIOC forums in particular can tell you all you need to know.
There isn't a single manufacturer in the entire world that has a tolerance of only 1/4" in circumference for their AWD systems... not even Subaru.
subaru screwed up many years ago with a misprint in their maintenance guides that called for no more difference than 1/4" in the circumference of their tires.
Ire world that has a tolerance of only 1/4" in circumference for their awd systems... Not even subaru.
If the other 2 tires still have good tread the other option is to have the new tires shaved down to a matching tread depth.
And you truly don't know what car you drive without going out to look at badges?
Since it sounds like you've already been running mismatched tread depths due to not rotating enough you should likely at least change your differential oil.
I know that shaving tires used to be a thing, but when I destroyed a tire on my AWD Ford Escape a few years ago with only 15k miles on it nobody (including Mr Google) could direct me anywhere that could perform that service for any price. I ended up having to buy a set of four.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
