Changing Tyres

[nippysweeties]

I had a tyre changed out around Xmas and then found out I should have changed all 4 at the same time.

Can any of the long term owners tell their experience with this? I understand the mechanics of it - different diameters etc - but is it likely to cause problems to the drive train on a WRX?

I can have them all changed out by the weekend if needs be, but I thought I'd ask on here before I take the plunge.

Any help, as always, appreciated.

Steve.

[bigal024]

I'm no expert but I'd imagine that your cars suspension setup would be able to compensate for tyre wear easily enough. Would'nt imagine it making much of a difference tbh, unless you planning some serious driving, track use etc..

Edited February 7, 2008 by BigAl024

[RS Grant]

I've always changed two at a time at least... keeping the sale tread depth on the same axle. I've no idea if thats right or wrong as I've heard the "4WD = 4 tyres at once" thing too but have never experienced problems and I've had quite a few of these cars with varying levels of power and degrees of use.

Cheers,

Grant

[jamesm]

When I bought mine from a main dealer, they had changed the front tyres only. They were a different brand with a completely different tread pattern as well as the obvious difference in tread depth.

Handled like a pig though, but probably as the fronts were a pretty cheap set. I changed all 4 when the rears needed done.

If the main dealers do it, can't imagine it will do it too much harm.

[craig79]

Personally think changing 4 tyres due to one puncture

is a bit ott. I tend to work on the same rule of thumb as grant -

change tyres in pairs end of ( << must be christmas again lol).

Craig.

[nippysweeties]

Cheers lads,

That's a great help. 2 at a time seems fair enough, so that's what I'll go with.

Thanks for your time ,

Steve.

[Bailey73]

As long as the tread pattern matches the same as the otherside then you can get away with only changing the one - The tread pattern needs to match if they are fitted on the same axle.

Hope that helps.

[corsa]

Just changed 4 on the Vectra 235 35 19" and best place sorry best price match was quick fit then the ****ed 2 alloys VXR jobs, argument started then they admitted fault and said they would repair 1 as the other one already had a scratch on it!!

More war of words on Thursday Morning.

Fuds.

[iainc]

I had a tyre changed out around Xmas and then found out I should have changed all 4 at the same time.

Can any of the long term owners tell their experience with this? I understand the mechanics of it - different diameters etc - but is it likely to cause problems to the drive train on a WRX?

I can have them all changed out by the weekend if needs be, but I thought I'd ask on here before I take the plunge.

Any help, as always, appreciated.

Steve.

As mentioned by others I always replace in pairs (unless its recently been changed anyway) and always try to stick to the same brand on all four.

Have heard the change all 4 at once, but I'm sure that the diffs can easily deal with a tyre being a few mm different to the others, as your outer wheels travel a much further distance every time you turn a corner and they manage to deal with that okay.

Only thing to watch out for is if you put 2 decent tyres on and the other 2 on the car are crap, had that on an older car and I had the back end out at every roundabout (which was a bit of a shock the first time it happened... and fun after that )