One question that my customers ask me from time to time about vehicles with all wheel drive is tire matching and tread depth. The manufacturers of all wheel drive vehicles recommend using matching tires as well as maintaining the same tread depth on the matched tires.
What happens if a tire blows out or is not repairable due to a road hazard? Depending on vehicle manufacturer recommendations regarding tread depth or overall diameter measurements a new tire may need to be shaved. Typically we see about 30% difference in tread depth as the starting point to shave tires for proper tread depth on replacement tires.
If you have tires that are about 30% worn it may benefit to buy just one matching tire and have it shaved to the correct tread depth by Tire Rack prior to shipping. Give the Tire Rack an extra day to shave the tire and we'll ship it directly to you or your installer. If the tire is more than half worn it may be beneficial to replace all four tires for your vehicle with new tires.
Typically the cost to do the street tire shaving is $25-$35 each. If this service would benefit you give me (Chad) a call 800-461-5527 ext 742. Check out a Tire Tech article at Tire Rack offering some further details on Matching Tires. Refer to the Matching Tires By Shaving Them to Maintain Equivalent Tire Tread Depths heading with-in the Matching Tires on Four-Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive Vehicles tire tech article.
Also a few Recommendations for some of the manufactures using all-wheel drive or four wheel drive systems.
What happens if a tire blows out or is not repairable due to a road hazard? Depending on vehicle manufacturer recommendations regarding tread depth or overall diameter measurements a new tire may need to be shaved. Typically we see about 30% difference in tread depth as the starting point to shave tires for proper tread depth on replacement tires.
If you have tires that are about 30% worn it may benefit to buy just one matching tire and have it shaved to the correct tread depth by Tire Rack prior to shipping. Give the Tire Rack an extra day to shave the tire and we'll ship it directly to you or your installer. If the tire is more than half worn it may be beneficial to replace all four tires for your vehicle with new tires.
Typically the cost to do the street tire shaving is $25-$35 each. If this service would benefit you give me (Chad) a call 800-461-5527 ext 742. Check out a Tire Tech article at Tire Rack offering some further details on Matching Tires. Refer to the Matching Tires By Shaving Them to Maintain Equivalent Tire Tread Depths heading with-in the Matching Tires on Four-Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive Vehicles tire tech article.
Also a few Recommendations for some of the manufactures using all-wheel drive or four wheel drive systems.
| Audi | As published in their vehicle owner's manual, "rolling radius of all 4 tires must remain the same" or within 4/32-inch of each other in remaining tread depth. |
| Porsche | Cayenne within 30% of the other tire on the same axle's remaining tread-wear. |
| Subaru | Within 1/4-inch of tire circumference or about 2/32-inch of each other in remaining tread depth. |
Please call our customer service team at 800-428-8355 ext 360. We would be happy to review your original order to check for replacement parts if applicable.
Shaving the tire will void the manufacturers treadlife warranty.
-Marshall@tirerack.com
My 13 BMW X3 28i has rear right pirelli P7 all season damaged with a nail. Now I wonder if I should just buy one new tire and shave it to match the others or buy all four new. The tread depth on other three is around 6/32 with 8200 miles. any recommendation?
thanks
Shaving would be the most cost effective solution. Give me a call @ ext 4792 if I can help. -Marshall@tirerack.com