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#1
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Allowable tire tread depth difference?
So the other day while driving to work I must have hit something in the road that the snow covered because when I got to work I had a flat. I tried airing it up but there was a slash in the sidewall. The tires are Continental Extreme Winter Contacts and are almost new. New tread depth is 11/32 and they're at 9/32 now. Can I get by with just purchasing a single replacement tire since there's only 2/32 difference between them or do I need to replace all 4? If I can get by with just replacing a single tire where should I mount it?
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1997 Boudreaux LSi 1994 SVX LSi(SOLD) Kool Blue air filter, 4500k HID's, airbox mod, Hella horns, WRX 6 disc stereo, Infinity Reference and Clarion Pro Audio speakers, Infinity basslink sub, ECUtune Stage 1v5, ECUtune TCU, Power mode mod, Mad muffler mod v1.3 |
#2
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Re: Allowable tire tread depth difference?
You should be alright. Put it on the rear. The number which is usually accepted as the gospel is: 1/4 inch difference in circumference between any two tires.
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#3
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Re: Allowable tire tread depth difference?
I just had the same experience on my wife's car. The I had 9/32s left and they said 2 or 3 32s wouldn't be a problem. They put on a new tire and put it on the rear. Best tread always goes on the rear to prevent the car spinning out from rear wheel aquaplaning, grip loss etc.
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Peter ART Cryogenic/Slotted Rotors, Stainless Steel Brake Lines, PWR Radiator, Tranny cooler, Stebro, Earthworm's Poly Differential/front & rear swaybar bushings, Koni Inserts and Mychailo SVX Sport Springs all 4 corners, Indigo Blue paint. Liquid Silver Wheels. |
#4
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Re: Allowable tire tread depth difference?
My other option would be to mount a set of winter tires I have from another vehicle. There would be a difference of 2/32 between the front and rear tires. I would put the 2 more worn tires on the front and the 2 that have more tread on the rear?
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1997 Boudreaux LSi 1994 SVX LSi(SOLD) Kool Blue air filter, 4500k HID's, airbox mod, Hella horns, WRX 6 disc stereo, Infinity Reference and Clarion Pro Audio speakers, Infinity basslink sub, ECUtune Stage 1v5, ECUtune TCU, Power mode mod, Mad muffler mod v1.3 |
#5
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Re: Allowable tire tread depth difference?
Subaru says there can be no more than 1/4" difference in Circumference (not Diameter)of tires to avoid damage to the Transmission.....measure all the way around each tire, and check the measurements....
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Huck Subaru Ambassador 92 SVX LS-Tour Magnaflow Exhaust, 5-Spd-AWD 88 XT6 AWD 5-Speed "Bride of FrankenWedge" 15 Impreza Premium Sedan 15 Crosstrek XV 5-Speed My 5-Speed "How-To" Write-up 1976 Pontiac Firebird Formula Current Count of Subaru's Owned.... "70" |
#6
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Re: Allowable tire tread depth difference?
Very much depends on the tread. It's not usually recommended.
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Peter ART Cryogenic/Slotted Rotors, Stainless Steel Brake Lines, PWR Radiator, Tranny cooler, Stebro, Earthworm's Poly Differential/front & rear swaybar bushings, Koni Inserts and Mychailo SVX Sport Springs all 4 corners, Indigo Blue paint. Liquid Silver Wheels. |
#7
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Re: Allowable tire tread depth difference?
I am talking about the tread depth difference being 2/32" difference and not circumference of the tire. My post wording might have been confusing.
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1997 Boudreaux LSi 1994 SVX LSi(SOLD) Kool Blue air filter, 4500k HID's, airbox mod, Hella horns, WRX 6 disc stereo, Infinity Reference and Clarion Pro Audio speakers, Infinity basslink sub, ECUtune Stage 1v5, ECUtune TCU, Power mode mod, Mad muffler mod v1.3 |
#8
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Re: Allowable tire tread depth difference?
I understood your post, but Subaru doesn't give Tread Depth recommendations, just the difference in Circumference, as tread depth changes the circumference differently depending on the diameter of different tire....the ONLY way to determine if it is with-in Subaru's Specs is to measure around the circumference of each tire and compare they are with-in 1/4" of each other.
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Huck Subaru Ambassador 92 SVX LS-Tour Magnaflow Exhaust, 5-Spd-AWD 88 XT6 AWD 5-Speed "Bride of FrankenWedge" 15 Impreza Premium Sedan 15 Crosstrek XV 5-Speed My 5-Speed "How-To" Write-up 1976 Pontiac Firebird Formula Current Count of Subaru's Owned.... "70" |
#9
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Re: Allowable tire tread depth difference?
Quote:
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1997 Boudreaux LSi 1994 SVX LSi(SOLD) Kool Blue air filter, 4500k HID's, airbox mod, Hella horns, WRX 6 disc stereo, Infinity Reference and Clarion Pro Audio speakers, Infinity basslink sub, ECUtune Stage 1v5, ECUtune TCU, Power mode mod, Mad muffler mod v1.3 |
#10
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Re: Allowable tire tread depth difference?
I'm just hoping I can get by with buying just one tire instead of 4 or using the other set I have that has a 2/32" tread depth between front and rear tires. I'll measure the actual circumference of those tires to see if they're within a 1/4" of each other.
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1997 Boudreaux LSi 1994 SVX LSi(SOLD) Kool Blue air filter, 4500k HID's, airbox mod, Hella horns, WRX 6 disc stereo, Infinity Reference and Clarion Pro Audio speakers, Infinity basslink sub, ECUtune Stage 1v5, ECUtune TCU, Power mode mod, Mad muffler mod v1.3 |
#11
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Re: Allowable tire tread depth difference?
Just order one new tire. You'll be fine.
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#12
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Re: Allowable tire tread depth difference?
Some tire places can "Shave" the tire down to match the rest of the set.
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Huck Subaru Ambassador 92 SVX LS-Tour Magnaflow Exhaust, 5-Spd-AWD 88 XT6 AWD 5-Speed "Bride of FrankenWedge" 15 Impreza Premium Sedan 15 Crosstrek XV 5-Speed My 5-Speed "How-To" Write-up 1976 Pontiac Firebird Formula Current Count of Subaru's Owned.... "70" |
#13
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Re: Allowable tire tread depth difference?
I just measured the circumference of the other set of winter tires I have and the difference was 3/16". So less than the 1/4" Subaru recommends. I guess I'll use those for the rest of the winter. Should I put the ones with the most tread on the front since it does most of the work unless they start to slip and then the rears come into play? Maybe that way they will wear and be even with the rear ones for next season.
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1997 Boudreaux LSi 1994 SVX LSi(SOLD) Kool Blue air filter, 4500k HID's, airbox mod, Hella horns, WRX 6 disc stereo, Infinity Reference and Clarion Pro Audio speakers, Infinity basslink sub, ECUtune Stage 1v5, ECUtune TCU, Power mode mod, Mad muffler mod v1.3 |
#14
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Re: Allowable tire tread depth difference?
Sounds like your set! Put the bigger diameter on the front
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Huck Subaru Ambassador 92 SVX LS-Tour Magnaflow Exhaust, 5-Spd-AWD 88 XT6 AWD 5-Speed "Bride of FrankenWedge" 15 Impreza Premium Sedan 15 Crosstrek XV 5-Speed My 5-Speed "How-To" Write-up 1976 Pontiac Firebird Formula Current Count of Subaru's Owned.... "70" |
#15
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Re: Allowable tire tread depth difference?
I can't speak to the transmission ref front axel vs rear but for safety regarding handling the best tires ALWAYS go on the rear.
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Peter ART Cryogenic/Slotted Rotors, Stainless Steel Brake Lines, PWR Radiator, Tranny cooler, Stebro, Earthworm's Poly Differential/front & rear swaybar bushings, Koni Inserts and Mychailo SVX Sport Springs all 4 corners, Indigo Blue paint. Liquid Silver Wheels. |
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