Is it OK to replace just one tire on an AWD vehicle?

[pugsx]

AWD CX9 was rear ended resulting in a punctured right rear tire. Is it ok to replace just that one tire? Or press for all 4 tires replaced since the owners manual says "it is dangerous to replace just one tire.....".
27K miles on the original set of tires. They do still have some life left on them.

 

[xxxmonoxidechil]

You risk damaging the transfer case replacing just one. I actually had an old Mountaineer that grenaded its transfer case from replacing just 2 tires. I wouldnt risk it. Buy a full new set, then just sell the remaining good 3 tire's locally on Craigslist.

 

[mica.msp]

Exactly^^^

Personally I would never replace just one on any vehicle, unless it was brand new when it needed to be replaced.

 

[xxxmonoxidechil]

If its a 2wd car, Then replacing a single tire on a non drive wheel wont cause any real issues. Or even better replacing the tire's in a pair on a specific axle. But such is not the case for the AWD car's.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

This might help.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=18

 

[tex2670]

I'd push the insurance company to pick up the tab for all 4 tires, since the replacement is necessitated by an accident.

 

[Preferio]

I haven't done a lot of tire work in my 12 years in the business, but I do know that manufacturers generally supply you with information pertaining to the maximum variance. I know Subaru is 2/32" but other than that, I'm unsure of other manufactures specs.

 

[IslandTractor]

A good tire shop can shave down the single new tire to match the others. That is certainly a less expensive option than replacing all four when only one is damaged.

 

[ceric]

IMHO, you should at least replace a pair since your tire was 1/2 way gone already.
Depending on the AWD/4WD setup, some requires all four to be replaced, others are OK within certain tolerance.
For example, for AWD, if the front/rear are engaged by clutch plates, there is no reason to match front/rear 100% accurately.
For 4WD, I would try hard to maintain all four tires to be as close to the same diameter as possible (including PSI).

In the case of CX9, mismatched tires on the rear axle likely will damage the rear differential, not the transfer case.
Remember that there is a coupling device between rear differential and transfer case.

However, since it was caused by the accident, you should replace all four and make claim to the insurance to be on the safe side. Why take your own risk?

 

[just_phil]

Or you can buy a single used tire on eBay, they tell you how much tread is left, just find one that's closest to what you have.