Can I Replace Just One Tire on My Car?

Blowing out a tire can be a hassle. You figure that it will be a quick fix—head to the tire shop, pick out the same model (or maybe one that’s a little less expensive?) and boom—you’re done.

But in many cases, you’ll be told that you should really replace all four tires. Wait, what? The cost just quadrupled and you’re getting rid of three tires that are, as far as you can tell, doing just fine.

We get asked a lot if you can replace just one tire on your car. And, really, it depends on the situation. Here are some variables that will help identify if you can replace just one tire or two tires or if you need a set of four.

First, let’s look at why replacing a tire on your vehicle might be necessary in the first place.

When Do You Need to Replace a Tire?

In many cases, the culprit is your tire tread depth. Generally, the tread on new tires ranges from 10/32 of an inch to 11/32 of an inch. The Virginia State Police deem tires unsafe when the tread depth reaches 2/32”, and the vehicle will not pass a Virginia state safety inspection.

However, Virginia Tire & Auto recommends replacing your tires when they get to 4/32” or lower. It’s a question of safety.

Once tread wears down to below 4/32”, traction, especially in wet conditions, becomes a problem. The lower the tread, the higher the risk of hydroplaning.

Plus, with lower tread depth, your car may not be able to stop fast enough to prevent a serious accident. A couple seconds of stopping time can be the difference between stopping short or not in time.

Read: How Tire Tread Depth Affects Stopping Distance

If you can’t remember the last time you had your tires rotated, you may be burning through your front tires—yet another reason why you might need to replace a tire. Front tires tend to wear out faster than back tires because they’re carrying the weight of the engine and they steer the car, which adds additional friction.

There’s always the possibility of a tire pressure leak, which would cause the tire to be under-inflated, or a tire blowout. An over-inflated tire can also cause tire damage. Over-inflating a tire decreases the amount of contact the tire has with the road, making it more susceptible to damage when hitting a pothole.

Even if the tire tread hasn’t worn down, it doesn’t mean your tires are safe on the road. As tires age, they deteriorate, and, over time, they can become safety hazards. This is why, according to automakers and tire manufacturers, you should replace tires every five to 10 years.

Read: How Long Should Tires Last? 6 Factors to Consider

What to Consider Before Replacing Only One Tire

So, can you replace just one tire on your car? The answer is: it depends. Here’s what you should keep in mind:

1. Treads on the Other Tires

To replace just one or two tires without adversely affecting performance and safety, the other tires need to have an adequate amount of tread left. If your tires are pretty new, you may be able to get away with just replacing one or two tires.

If your tires have worn down and there will be more than 4/32” difference between the new tires and old tires, you should get all new tires.

2. Type of Tire

The tread pattern and tire type that your tires have should be similar. That is, whether they’re front or rear tires, you want all your tires to be the same model and have the same or similar tread condition.

Why? Because subtle differences in tires affect their behavior—more specifically, your vehicle’s ability to accelerate, brake, corner, and handle water. You want a balanced, predictable driving experience.

If the exact tire model isn’t available, go for the most similar option. (Ex: If you have all-season tires, get another type of all-season tire. If your tires have a directional tread pattern, don’t get a tire with an asymmetric or symmetric tread pattern.)

3. Type of Vehicle

Is your car all-wheel drive (AWD)? You may have heard that you always have to replace all four tires on AWD vehicles. And it’s true. Most vehicle manufacturers and the Tire Industry Association (TIA) recommend that you always replace all four tires at the same time if your car is AWD.

That’s because the reduced diameter of the lower-tread tires causes them to rotate faster than the new one(s). Wheels moving at different speeds on an AWD vehicle will put additional strain on engine components (such as the transmission and transfer case), which could result in major damage and costly repairs.

If there’s a variation of more than 2/32”, you will need to replace two or four tires. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to see what the manufacturer recommends; some say to replace all four, but some say it’s okay to just replace two.

It may be hard to believe that such a small difference can make a big impact, but even slightly mismatched tires could damage the drivetrain on an AWD vehicle.

Let’s Recap:

• If your tires’ tread depth will be within 4/32” of each other, you can get away with replacing just one or two tires.
• If you drive an AWD vehicle, the tires must be within 2/32” of each other. But you should always check the vehicle owner’s manual to see what the manufacturer recommends.
• If buying one or two tires, buy an exact or similar tire (brand, size, load rating, tread pattern, etc.) to ensure a balanced, safe drive.

Whatever your vehicle’s make and model, the tire experts at Virginia Tire & Auto can guide you to the tires that are right for you.

Read: How to Pick the Right Tires for Your Car

How to Care for Your New Tire(s)

If you decide to replace one or two tires, then you have to choose where to place them! Should you put new tires on the front or the back?

It’s usually best to place the new tires on the rear axle since the rear tires give your vehicle stability. This will help prevent oversteering or spinning out.

No matter how many tires you choose to replace, you can prevent premature wear by practicing proper tire maintenance:

Rotate Your Tires

To get the most from your tires, rotate them according to the schedule recommended in your owner’s manual. In addition, have a trusted tire professional inspect your tires at each rotation.

Check Air Pressure

This should be done monthly and the tire pressure should be adjusted as needed to prevent a dangerous blowout. Be sure to choose a service facility equipped to care for Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS).

Repair Flat Tires (safely!)

There’s a right way and a wrong way to repair a flat tire. Even if, based on price, they seem like a good deal, do not accept string- or fabric-based plugs. Driving on plugged tires can result in serious accidents and fatal injuries.

For peace of mind, let a qualified auto-care expert repair your flat tire. They will inspect it inside and out to make sure it can be safely patched, and, normally, patching takes 20-30 minutes.

And remember, for safety reasons, a tire can be repaired two (but not three) times. It is far better to replace a damaged tire than risk potentially serious or fatal injuries.

Read: Proper Tire Maintenance 101: Taking Care of Your Tires

Need Auto Care?

No one likes to replace a tire. But at the end of the day, we want to ensure that you have a safe ride. Replacing all four tires for one flat may seem like a waste of money, but often it is the safest investment to make for the well-being of your vehicle and all the people who share the roads with you.

Whether you need a new tire (or set of tires), a simple oil change, new brakes or complex repairs, the experts at Virginia Tire & Auto can help. For a better, safer driving experience, schedule a visit or drop into one of our convenient locations today!