Should You Always Replace Car Tires in Pairs? - Consumer Reports
The complexity arises when the existing tires have significant mileage. On a two-wheel-drive vehicle, a brand-new tire paired with an older, worn tire on the same axle creates an imbalance. Because the new tire has a larger diameter due to its full tread, it rotates at a slightly different speed than its worn counterpart. This can cause the car to pull to one side or interfere with the traction control and anti-lock braking systems. According to experts at Consumer Reports , if your tires are more than 30 percent worn, you should generally replace them in pairs to maintain balanced handling and braking performance. can you buy just one tire
The short answer is yes, you can buy just one tire. However, while it is physically possible and often the most budget-friendly immediate choice, whether you should depends entirely on the health of your remaining tires and the type of vehicle you drive. Should You Always Replace Car Tires in Pairs
Technically, tire retailers are happy to sell a single unit. This is common when a relatively new tire suffers a non-repairable puncture or sidewall damage. If your other three tires are nearly new—typically with less than 2/32" to 4/32" of tread wear—replacing just the damaged one is a perfectly safe and logical decision. Because the new tire has a larger diameter