The answer for whether you should replace all four or just one or two of your vehicle’s tires depends on several factors. Here’s what we recommend:
1. Tread Wear
If all four tires are worn evenly, it’s generally a good idea to replace them together for balanced handling and safety. Uneven tread wear can lead to handling issues and impact traction. Plus, mixing new and old tires can affect performance, especially if the difference in tread depth is significant.
2. All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) Vehicles
For AWD or 4WD vehicles, it’s typically recommended to replace all four tires at once. These systems rely on equal tire sizes and tread depths to prevent damage to the drivetrain. If one or two tires are replaced, it could cause unnecessary strain on the system, leading to expensive repairs.
3. Tire Rotation and Alignment
If your tires are worn unevenly due to poor alignment, suspension issues, or irregular rotation, it’s important to correct those issues before replacing tires.
4. Budget Considerations
Replacing all four tires at once can be more expensive, but it’s often safer and better for overall vehicle performance. If budget is a concern, replacing two tires is typically fine as long as they’re installed in pairs on the same axle (both tires on the front or both tires on the rear).
5. Tire Type and Size Matching
It’s important to replace tires with the same type (all-season, winter, performance, etc.) and size to maintain vehicle stability. If you only replace one or two tires, ensure they match the remaining ones as closely as possible in terms of tread pattern and wear.
Conclusion
If your vehicle is front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, you can often replace just two tires, provided you put them on the rear axle (for safety reasons, even on front-wheel drive vehicles). For AWD or 4WD vehicles, replacing all four is usually the safest and most effective option to ensure proper performance and avoid potential damage to the drivetrain.