Allowable tire tread depth difference?

[svxash]

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?

[Blacky]

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.

[SVX_MY_BABY]

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.

[svxash]

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?

[huck369]

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....

[SVX_MY_BABY]

Originally Posted by svxash

My other option would be to mount a set of winter tires I have from another vehicle.

Very much depends on the tread. It's not usually recommended.

[svxash]

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.

[huck369]

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.

[svxash]

Originally Posted by huck369

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.

Ok. That's hard for me to do since the only way I can get the exact circumference of the new tire is to order one because nobody in town carries one. The Continental website only gives the diameter of the tire which I don't know if that's accurate enough to get get the correct circumference. I would rather measure an actual tire to be sure.

[svxash]

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.

[Blacky]

Just order one new tire. You'll be fine.

[huck369]

Some tire places can "Shave" the tire down to match the rest of the set.

[svxash]

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.

[huck369]

Sounds like your set! Put the bigger diameter on the front

[SVX_MY_BABY]

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.