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So you have a flat tire – just one – that cannot be repaired. The other 3 tires are still in decent shape. You just need one tire to replace the ruined one, right?

Wrong.

In many cases, you’ll be told to replace two or four tires at a time. Wait, what? Suddenly the quick fix to replace one bad tire turned into a costly repair! We get asked a lot if you can replace just one tire. And really, the answer depends on the situation. There are many variables in making the decision to replace just one or two tires, or if all four need replaced.

Can I Replace Just One Tire on my Car? Replacing just one tire is generally not recommended, however in some situations, you can get by with it. It depends on the other 3 tires, the type of tires on our vehicle and the type of vehicle you have. If you want good traction, optimal vehicle handling and ride comfort it is recommend to replace all four tires at the same time.

Think of it as a pair of shoes. If one of your sneakers got a hole in the bottom, would you buy just one shoe to replace it? Probably not. Trying to run with one old shoe and one new shoe would feel a bit awkward and lop-sided.

The same goes for shoes (or tires) on your vehicle if you replace just one. If there are significant differences of tread wear or patterns between the tires, it will negatively impact your vehicle’s stability and performance. If one tire is clearly different than the others, the electronic and mechanical systems in your vehicle such as the anti-lock brakes, transfer case, differentials and traction control systems may have trouble understanding information from your tires. Consider these 3 points when deciding if you can replace just one tire on your car.

Tread of other tires: If the other three tires are fairly new, you may be able to get by with just replacing one or two tires without drastically impacting performance and safety. As a rule of thumb, if the other 2 or 3 tires are worn down more than 4/32 of an inch of tread, you should replace all 4 tires. Learn more about tread depth in this article: Do I need new tires? Start with the Penny Test.

Types of tire: All four tires should be the same type of tire (all-season, summer or winter tires) and similar tread patterns. Even small differences in tread designs can affect the way your vehicle brakes, accelerates, turns corners, and handles water. If the exact model isn’t available, find one that is a close match. For instance, if you have all season tires, stay with all-season tires, or if your tires have a directional tread design, don’t get a tire that is non-directional.

Type of Vehicle: If you have an all-wheel drive (AWD) for four-wheel-drive (4x4) vehicle, it is always recommended to replace all four tires at the same time. Uneven tire wear or tire diameters can cause problems with the drivetrain. If one tires has a different tread depth, it will have different accelerating, braking power and handle differently than the others.

Check your owner’s manual for your vehicle’s specific recommendations. Some manufacturers even have restrictions against replacing fewer than four tires at a time.

But I can’t afford to buy four new tires today!

Good news! If you choose Hilltop Tire Service for your tire repair and replacement needs, we’ve got some solutions for you!

• Used Tires – Our East location has a large selection of used tires to choose from. Chances are we may be able to find you a set of 4 matching used tires with a good amount of tread on them still that could cost the same as buying just one new tire! Our skilled tire technicians know just what to look for when it comes to used tires.
• Financing Available – We offer the Firestone CFNA credit card that gives you 6 months of interest-free financing if you qualify! You could buy 4 new tires without hurting your pocketbook today! The Firestone CFNA credit card information can be found here.

When in doubt trust the pros.

Changing just one tire is generally not recommended, but there are some situations where you can get away with it. If you’re not sure, you can always trust the tire professionals at Hilltop Tire Service to give you an honest opinion. When it comes to tire care, it’s better to be safe than sorry.