QuestionQUESTION: I have an 02 Tribute with the original tires used only in the summer (studs are on 7 mos of the year). Car has about 46K on it so summer tires have about 25K max (car used around town). Just got a slash cut in one tire that cannot be reparied. Tire shop guy says he cannot replace it with a similar tire...only will sell me 4 new ones even though the tread on the other 3 is "not bad" in his words.
Question: can I replace the tire with a comperable 235/70R16 or does it have to be the same brand (continental). Tire guy did not indicate that the tread etc had to be new, but several other forums indicated that not only should I have the SAME size, and BRAND....but the tread should be same to protect the AWD. Not sure whom i can trust to get a straight answer. i don't have a problem buying one new Continental tire if I need to but I would rather not replace all 4.....
Thanks!!!!
ANSWER: There are several issues to question here. The first is in my opinion the most important.
The vehicle is an '02 and I'll assume that these are the original tires. If this is so then these tires are in my experience beyond their SAFE lifetime and should be replaced. Irregardless of the brand tire or tread depths.
To answer your other issue about same brand, size and tread pattern. I agree completely that the size and brands should be the same, although the tires may have the same aspect ratio and bead size each manufacturer's tires are a different Outer Diameter.
I can't see where tread design would have much of an effect unless you intend to put an AGGRESSIVE Mud Grip tire on your vehicle.
I know it's not the answer you wanted but, I Hope this helps,
Brett
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: HI...
Thanks for responding....They are the original tires...but they are only on the car for less than 1/2 a year....I live in Anchorage, Alaska and use studded tires on all 4 wheels from about early October through April. This year we did not change them out until May 15 (when the law says you must) as we had about 24 inches of snow fall the last weekend in April. They have quite a bit of tread left probably 60%.....At any rate.....are you saying that even though they do not have much wear, tires should be replaced every few years....with no regard for the amount of tread? Is that because the rubber breaks down? I have never heard of this but am interested in your answer because a lot of people here do what we do and switch tires twice a year expecting each to last twice as long...
As for my original question....in the days since I posted I have spoken to several others and even called the dealer. According to the general wisdom....the tread must be very nearly the same on all 4 tires or the AWD will bind. The dealer stated that even a 1/4 inch difference could affect the drive train. The dealer also said that unless the other tires were very new (maybe only one or two seasons of use) we could not use just one new one. He suggested looking for used tires if I did not want to spend upwards of $500 for 4 new ones....as long as the used one was similar in tread depth. He did not say anything about the age of the tires being any problem....just the tread depth.
So I guess that is something to think about when purchasing a AWD vehicle....
Thanks again....
AnswerFour years is a general rule of thumb for the life expectancy of tire. There is not a hard & fast rule that I'm aware of pertaining to the climate where the tires are used. Given that you live in Alaska and the fact that the tires have very little road time it is probably safe to use the three tires and purchase a used one. I would however, pay close attention to any sidewall cracking or cracking in the tread grooves. Yes, the components in the rubber do begin to degrade over time.
Brett
