Tire question- at what point do you buy 2 new tires when 1 needs replacing?
 

Hello,

I just got a screw in the sidewall of one of my run-flat tires (read $$$) that cannot be fixed, so I need to get a new tire. The tires have about 18K miles are probably at 50% use.

At what point would you get two new tires instead of just one? Car isn't 4 wheel drive, so I am not too worried about one tire having a slightly larger rolling diameter than the others.

Thanks,
Neil

At 50% wear I would replace both, 1 so you don't get pull left to right, 50% isn't great but not bad so it is has served you.by the time it is worn out your other tire ( the 1 new one you haven't bought yet) will be 50% worn out and you will be in the same place you would be now with a mismatch set of tires. And Peace of mind. But if flat tires are common for you that may sway your decision. Just my thoughts:)

depends on the car and the application. If its for a comuter car, id consider replacing just one.

However I think the real answer is to find a more moderately priced set of tires, and get a AAA plan for towing.

Just did that on my 2001 Boxster two months ago. Flat rear snow tire and did not drive long on it(old Blizzak) but damaged the sidewall beyond repair. Bought 2 new Pirelli snow tires for the rear. Happy I replaced both. :)

When it comes to safety I do not compromise.

Replace both, store the good slightly worn one (you don't want it to dry rot ) in case you have a problem down the road......

This right here. I never understand why people are willing to skimp on tires. I don't know if there's another single item on a car that more influences performance, comfort, and safety than your tires.

My wife's X5 has had 2 replaced because of nails in the sidewall. I purchased the "spare tire kit" for her car and will be changing to standard tires when these are done.

Always replace both. If they are on the drive end of the car the diff/transaxel will be constantly working because of the different circumfrences (spelling?) A friends BMW threw up warning lights all over the place because he had a worn spare on the front so the car. Half of the cars computing thought the car was turning because of more rotations on one side, and the other half of the computing said not, so it said problems goto sickbay.

No two tires will ever be the exact same circumference. Brand new sets of tires are not the exact same circumference.

Tires are manufactured to be within a tolerance of the same circumference, and they start wearing unevenly as soon as you drive them.

I buy used tires on eBay and Craigslist all the time. Look for tread wear that is close to what you need to "match".

Bollocks to the tire salesmen who say you need to buy in matched sets.

Buy 2 new tires and keep the good old one. You never know when you may need it to match up another half-worn tire.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1390850929.jpg

If I had a nail in one of the run flat tires on pretty much any vehicle, I would be buying 4 tires. Actually, I don't think I would drive off the lot on run flat tires if I were to purchase a car wearing them.

In your case, buy two, store the good one, as suggested above

My wife shredded a tire on the highway in her nearly brand new F150 after hitting a piece of metal. That's the only excuse I needed to replace all four of the crap Goodyears.:)

one problem is if you store the new tire (in the dark, under nitrogen, whatever) for 6 years and never use it, the tire is still dangerous to mount and use

if you cannot bring yourself to buy 2 new tires and it is an in town car only or low speed car, then buy one matching tire and have it shaved to the exact tread depth of the opposite tire

Happened to me: Screw in the sidewall of my '79SC pretty new rear wheel. Could not get a new replacement of the same type and size (Pirelly P-Zero Nero All Seasons) because they don't sell my size anymore. For new tires, to do it right, I would have to replace all 4 tires. I found a used tire here on Pelican, same make and size, with about the same wear and age. It's on my car now. No problems.

How do people get nails and screws in the sidewalls of their tires?

In my case the screw was just outside the running surface. The tire repair shop refused to patch it because of new liability issues. I understand if the puncturing bit is not located exactly inside the running surface a responsible tire shop will not patch the tire anymore. At least not here in California.

I usually get two new ones in that scenario and move the best to the spare.

could you replace all four with regular tires?

Buy a used tire?

It seems like 185/70/15 is not a common size.
What sort of "every day" commuter tires do you guys run?