Replacing a tire

[OptiMax]

I had my car in for service last night, and when they were brining it off of the lift, they punctured a tire. Of course, they replaced the tire, but I got to wondering if replacing just one tire would have any adverse affects.

The car is a 2004 Honda Accord. It was still on it's original tires (53,000 miles). The remaining tires have about 7/32 inch tread on them, and the new tire is the same brand/type as the originals.

Any thoughts?

[BobT]

I wouldn't think the diffence in wear will be significant enough to pose serious problems, but that's just my opinion.

Bob

[IFallsRon]

The Car Talk guys had a column about this. Here's what I remember:

The problem comes when the tires on the drive axle are of different circumfrence. The tires don't roll the same distance on each revolution and can cause uneven tension, leading to damage. Moving the tire to a non-drive position (rear if you have front-wheel drive) should eliminate any problems. You could have the new tire shaved to match its opposite.

[OptiMax]

Or I could just "shave it down" with liberal use of the throttle

I don't think I'm going to worry about it too much.

[PierBridge]

You replace tires in 4's......or at worst 2's......Especially with 54,000......

[OptiMax]

Didn't really have the cash on hand to replace the other three.

[Northlander]

Then I would have had them put the second one on after all it was their fault.

[Powerstroke]

I agree with northlander. It is a bad idea to run 1 new tire. It will be quite a bit taller than the other 3. You should replace at least 2 at a time so that the two on the same axle have the same outside diameter. I can see that they won't give you 2 free tires, but maybe they can cut you a discount on another one. It is nice to get all matching tires, but consider getting a cheaper tire that is just as good.

[Capt. Don*]

You are exactly right, don't worry about it. Yes it was their fault, it was a "mistake", evidently some people here don't make those. They gave you a new tire, what more could you ask of them. In the off season I turn wrenches for a Ford dealer and have done this same thing once to my own truck. I replaced one tire on the drive axle, those tires have been gone for a couple years and the truck has over 200,000 miles on it now with no axle concerns. If you think about this you are talking a difference of less than 1/8 inch in diameter, 1/16 inch in circumference. I would bet most people drive every day with this much or more variance due to inflation difference. These "replace tires in twos or fours" were born out of one thing, marketing to sell more tires, you don't have to, especially at 7/32nds. Just drive it, you'll be fine.