I recently took my car to discount tires to have a slow leak repaired. My tires had 17,000 miles on them. I was told the tire could not be repaired and I could not replace only the one tire. I needed all new tires because with the amount of tread I had left on the others if they put on only one new tire it would damage my 4 wheel drive. I have never heard of this and neither has anyone I ask. I bought the new tires, were they right in telling me I needed all new tires?
Answers from the Automotive Experts
Marlene,
Depending on what type of 4-wheel or all-wheel drive
vehicle and how much tread was remaining on the three tires this could be true.
When tires roll, the tire diameter is changed as they wear, and a new tire will
roll slower than a worn tire as it has a larger diameter.
Some all-wheel drive vehicles can be damaged if the tires
are not within a 20% diameter of each other. The damage is caused in the differential and the
transfer case as one wheel turns faster than the other.
f you are unsure of what you were told get a second opinion from an ASE certified technician in your area, and you can search for one near you by giong here:
http://www.ase.com/bluesealsearch/locator.php
Good Luck!