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Old 05-04-2014, 06:57 PM   #1
z28dreams
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Default Need to replace a tire... only 10k miles - replace all 4?

Hi all,

I'm aware that for AWD vehicles, you generally have to replace all 4 tires for size matching/drivetrain purposes.

My question is this: Is there a low-mile consideration where it would be ok to just replace 1 or 2 tires?

I only have around 10k miles on my tires, and hate to replace all 4 =/

I tried plugging one of the tires that got a flat, but it keeps leaking and I have to refill it every 3-4 weeks or so. There's also some sidewall damage, so I don't really want to keep it on there for long.
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Old 05-04-2014, 07:06 PM   #2
sc00by4life
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Take a tread depth gauge and measure the 3 good tires, order a single tire from tire rack and have them shave it to match the others.
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Old 05-05-2014, 08:01 AM   #3
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at 10k my tires are 1/2 gone

'course they only start with 8/32's as it is...but
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Old 05-05-2014, 09:29 AM   #4
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buy a new set of 4. my suggestion on shaving is a bad idea, and more shops will not do it, not that i know of. then sell the 3 tires
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Old 05-05-2014, 10:11 AM   #5
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Why is shaving bad?

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Old 05-05-2014, 10:23 AM   #6
sc00by4life
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Originally Posted by JAMM0N View Post
buy a new set of 4. my suggestion on shaving is a bad idea, and more shops will not do it, not that i know of. then sell the 3 tires
There is absolutely nothing wrong with shaving. Absolutely nothing wrong.

And any competent tire shop can shave a tire, as I mentioned in my first post - tire rack can do it for you.
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Old 05-05-2014, 12:47 PM   #7
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Default Tire Shaving - Where else besides tire rack?

Quote:
Originally Posted by sc00by4life View Post
There is absolutely nothing wrong with shaving. Absolutely nothing wrong.

And any competent tire shop can shave a tire, as I mentioned in my first post - tire rack can do it for you.
I'd agree that having a tire shaved is certainly the way to go. But, the only place I know that still does it is tire rack. Care to help us ouit and let us know of any other national chain or local places that offer this service?
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Old 05-05-2014, 01:46 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by mheyman View Post
I'd agree that having a tire shaved is certainly the way to go. But, the only place I know that still does it is tire rack. Care to help us ouit and let us know of any other national chain or local places that offer this service?
I don't live near you so I can't help : /.

Call your local motorsports shop (not ricer shop), they'll know.
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Old 05-05-2014, 02:25 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sc00by4life View Post
Take a tread depth gauge and measure the 3 good tires, order a single tire from tire rack and have them shave it to match the others.
^this^ and it will be much less overall than purchasing a set of four.
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Old 05-05-2014, 10:09 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sc00by4life View Post

There is absolutely nothing wrong with shaving. Absolutely nothing wrong.

And any competent tire shop can shave a tire, as I mentioned in my first post - tire rack can do it for you.
Did you know that a tire that is shaved to match tread depth can be out of subarus spec of 1/4 inch within all 4 tire diameters?

Tires that get shaved should be measured by outside diameter not tread depth.

I made this mistake and the tire was a whole 1/4 inch out of spec vs the others.

Did it the right way after.....ordered same new tire.....and it didnt even need a shave even tho my tires were at 7/32. All within 1/5th of an inch from eachother.

The shop or whoever shaves tires should measure od. Not how tire rack does tread depth.........

Last edited by Scoobiesdoobies; 05-05-2014 at 11:12 PM.
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Old 05-06-2014, 10:03 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by Scoobiesdoobies View Post
Did you know that a tire that is shaved to match tread depth can be out of subarus spec of 1/4 inch within all 4 tire diameters? Tires that get shaved should be measured by outside diameter not tread depth. I made this mistake and the tire was a whole 1/4 inch out of spec vs the others. Did it the right way after.....ordered same new tire.....and it didnt even need a shave even tho my tires were at 7/32. All within 1/5th of an inch from eachother. The shop or whoever shaves tires should measure od. Not how tire rack does tread depth.........
Maybe if you're measuring incorrectly,
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Old 05-06-2014, 12:26 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scoobiesdoobies View Post

Did you know that a tire that is shaved to match tread depth can be out of subarus spec of 1/4 inch within all 4 tire diameters?

Tires that get shaved should be measured by outside diameter not tread depth.

I made this mistake and the tire was a whole 1/4 inch out of spec vs the others.

Did it the right way after.....ordered same new tire.....and it didnt even need a shave even tho my tires were at 7/32. All within 1/5th of an inch from eachother.

The shop or whoever shaves tires should measure od. Not how tire rack does tread depth.........
Wouldn't this imply that if you order 4 tires, the circumference is going to vary so much, that three of them would need to be shaved to match the smallest?
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Old 05-06-2014, 01:06 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by JonnyV2889 View Post

Wouldn't this imply that if you order 4 tires, the circumference is going to vary so much, that three of them would need to be shaved to match the smallest?
Sad isnt it....tires come from the factory out of round all the time......
And this isnt the case always just my experience. And you should NEVER shave a tire based on tread depth.....
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Old 05-06-2014, 01:10 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sc00by4life View Post

Maybe if you're measuring incorrectly,
Not me. A very well known performance alignment shop in the san francisco bay area....
I watched them....and they charge good money to shave the tire....I dont think they would turn down business like that after measuring od with a stagger gauge and rebalancing all my tires. Btw best balance ive ever had.
All my measurements were within 1/5" of eachother. One brand new tire @ 11/32 and 3 tires at 7/32.....

Nothings perfect guys.......
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Old 05-06-2014, 01:13 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scoobiesdoobies View Post

Sad isnt it....tires come from the factory out of round all the time......
And this isnt the case always just my experience. And you should NEVER shave a tire based on tread depth.....
Just because a tire is out of round doesn't mean the circumference is going to change...
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Old 05-06-2014, 01:16 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JonnyV2889 View Post

Just because a tire is out of round doesn't mean the circumference is going to change...
Well no duh....tires are shaved for more reasons than circumfrence differentials....
Cupping, out of round, sticker for race day........just saying not all tires are perfect. Ive had imperfections in almost every tire ive bought. Incuding my girlfriends tired which have the worst radial pull ever......

Does not change my point. Shave tires based on outside diameter........

You could have a 245/40 on one wheel and a 235/45 on the other with the same tread depth........doesnt mean they are the same OD. Not that you would mismatch tires but thats besides my point.
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Old 05-06-2014, 08:13 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scoobiesdoobies View Post
You could have a 245/40 on one wheel and a 235/45 on the other with the same tread depth........doesnt mean they are the same OD. Not that you would mismatch tires but thats besides my point.
Well that's an extreme example.

I've never had an issue having tires shaved based on tread depth because you can more accurately match the wear patterns of the other tires.

I.e if a good tire measure 5/32-4/32-3/32 (yeah my example has camber wear), it's best to match the tires as closely as possible.

The only time when measuring by OD would be if you're buying different sized tires or a different brand/model - which again would jot be recommended.
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Old 05-07-2014, 04:29 PM   #18
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shaving a tire based on tread depth is perfectly acceptable and does yield a proper circumference when done correctly.

Shaving a tire for competition does not make it stickier. It reduces the tread squirm under load for better response.

Your example of a 245/40-17 vs. 235/45-17 is not valid as their starting diameters are different.

to the OP buy 1 tire and have it shaved to the proper tread depth
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Old 05-07-2014, 10:55 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Luke@tirerack View Post
shaving a tire based on tread depth is perfectly acceptable and does yield a proper circumference when done correctly.

Shaving a tire for competition does not make it stickier. It reduces the tread squirm under load for better response.

Your example of a 245/40-17 vs. 235/45-17 is not valid as their starting diameters are different.

to the OP buy 1 tire and have it shaved to the proper tread depth
Lol how unbias is this comment....

And I was running 215 45 17.
7/32 and 11/32....out of spec based on tread depth.....in spec based on circumference.

That is all.
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Old 05-08-2014, 06:34 AM   #20
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Who made your tires?
Were they really the same make and model?

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Old 05-08-2014, 04:04 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scoobiesdoobies View Post
how unbias is this comment....
If I wasn't offering an unbiased comment wouldn't I, as the moderator of The Tire Rack sponsored wheel and tire forum and a Tire Rack sales guy, want the OP to purchase 4 new tires?

I am here to provide CORRECT information when technical questions come up

and in this case, as I have already stated, the OP should buy 1 tire and have it shaved to the proper, matching tread depth
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Old 05-09-2014, 12:24 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Luke@tirerack View Post

If I wasn't offering an unbiased comment wouldn't I, as the moderator of The Tire Rack sponsored wheel and tire forum and a Tire Rack sales guy, want the OP to purchase 4 new tires?

I am here to provide CORRECT information when technical questions come up

and in this case, as I have already stated, the OP should buy 1 tire and have it shaved to the proper, matching tread depth
Well yes and no. You offer the service so you technically cant say otherwise......
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Old 05-09-2014, 01:47 AM   #23
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Well yes and no. You offer the service so you technically cant say otherwise......
Dude. Relax.
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Old 05-09-2014, 07:38 AM   #24
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correct information is just that correct information
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Old 05-09-2014, 02:37 PM   #25
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Dude. Relax.
Dude im laying in bed puffin on that wiz kahlif. Cant be any more relaxed!
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