Do I REALLY need to replace all 4 tires on my AWD?!?

[jcost10]

Hi everyone, I have a 2009 Murano SL AWD and need to replace the front 2 tires. The back tires are fine, though. I tried the penny test as well; front fails, back tires pass. The tire retailer tells me that I need to replace all 4 because its AWD. Is that true?

[HVT]

LOL....that's BS. Go elsewhere and replace the 2 fronts.

[BillArf]

snipe:

Originally Posted by jcost10

I tried the penny test as well; front fails, back tires pass.

Penny test is no good anymore. Read here Penny to Quarter: The New Tire Test - MSN Autos

[Pilgrim]

No, not true. You can replace tires - in pairs (F/R) - as needed.

BUT NOTE:

1) This means you are not rotating tires often enough.
2) If the other tires are within a couple thousandths of being worn to the tread bars, their traction on wet or slippery surfaces will be greatly reduced. Your dealer may be making a recommendation designed to keep you safe.
3) If #2 is true, with winter coming I'd replace all 4. Otherwise the car will handle badly and you will be in some danger.

It seems to me that if you have great tires on the front and tires almost worn out on the back, there is some potential for you swap ends if you dynamite the brakes. Anti-lock may take care of this for you on dry surfaces, but I'd still think the tendency would be there on wet or slippery surfaces. This is kind of "old wisdom" dating to before anti-lock brakes, so it's not the big deal it used to be.

I would say that you need to evaluate the tread on those other tires before just considering it a sales pitch. me, I keep a $1.00 tread depth gauge handy and try never to exceed 5K miles between tire rotations.

[jcost10]

Thanks for bringing me into the know!

[nitely]

The only time you have to do all 4s is when you are changing tire size to a low profile versus stock of the same size--ie-- 18s or 20s. If you are getting the exact same size then you are fine doing it 2 at a time.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by nitely

The only time you have to do all 4s is when you are changing tire size to a low profile versus stock of the same size--ie-- 18s or 20s. If you are getting the exact same size then you are fine doing it 2 at a time.

Nitely is right - with the caveat that tires can be legal but no longer effective on wet or slippery roads. I had a set of Michelin LTX radials that ran 60K miles and even though they were still legal by a couple of thousandths, they got VERY slippery. Made me nervous, and I am one of the least nervous drivers you'll find. Even though I don't mind being sideways in the road, my family doesn't like it. I got rid of them and put new tires on.

Evaluate that second pair honestly and see if you would be safer with new tires all around, and a more effective rotation schedule. You may be able to sell the old ones on Craigslist for $15 each.

[N_2_DEEP]

thanks guys this post helped me out alot with buying new tires as well. im due for a new set and with the current job situation i cant afford to buy all 4 tires at once. so 2 at a time it will be.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by N_2_DEEP

thanks guys this post helped me out alot with buying new tires as well. im due for a new set and with the current job situation i cant afford to buy all 4 tires at once. so 2 at a time it will be.

Fair enough. Personally, I'd put the best tread on the back axle to reduce the tendency for the back end to come around under heavy braking.

[N_2_DEEP]

i found a great deal on a set of 4 245 60 18 good year fortera hl tires on crigslist so i ended up getting all 4 for $200 with great tread.