Should I Replace 1 Tire or All 4 Tires?

New tires are a big investment. Find out how many tires should be replaced on your vehicle.

Whether you had a blowout, drove over a nail, or just have old worn out tires, every driver will have to replace their tires at some point. When you need to get new tires, it’s important to know how many of your tires should be replaced. We understand that new tires are a major investment and you only want what you need. With the help of Blain’s Farm & Fleet, you can find out how many tires you should replace at one time.

Replacing One Tire

If you choose to only replace one tire, pair it with the tire that has the second-most tread depth. They should both be mounted on the rear of your vehicle. Replacing only one tire is not as ideal as replacing two or all four tires.

Replacing Two Tires

If you choose to replace two tires, they need to be mounted on the rear of your vehicle. Rear tires give your vehicle stability. Without that, steering and breaking on wet surfaces can cause your vehicle to spin out or rollover at higher speeds. When the rear swings out, it’s called oversteer. With new tires on the rear, the old tires will first lose traction, which means your vehicle won’t turn as sharply as it would with four new tires. This is called understeer, and is a much safer driving condition.

It’s also important to note the tire size recommended for your vehicle. With some vehicles, the tire size is the same for all four tires. If that’s the case for your vehicle, the two new tires need to match the two existing ones. There are other vehicles where the front tires are a different size than the rear tires. Always consult your owner’s manual before purchasing new tires.

Replacing All Four Tires

The best option is to replace all four tires at the same time. You’ll have the same tread depth for each new tire, which provides a safer ride and helps with even tread wear. With a difference in traction, new tires can wear out faster. If you own an all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive vehicle, you have to replace all four tires at the same time. In order to achieve the traction advantages from these types of vehicles, all four tires have to mechanically connect together.

At Blain’s Farm & Fleet, we understand that having a safe ride is a priority. That’s why our automotive service center is here to help you safely get back on the road. You can buy top quality tires from your local Blain’s Farm & Fleet tire shop, or shop for tires online with our tire lookup feature. Search for tires online by the make, model, and year of your vehicle, and you’ll be matched with the right tire size. Plus, you can have your tires balanced or repaired at any of Blain’s automotive service centers. For all your auto and tire repair services, request a quote online or call 1-800-365-9936 to schedule an appointment.