How many miles on a set of tires before replacing one becomes needing to replace two due to wear?

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
As the title says, how many miles in general is it before you get to the point where losing one tire means you have to replace two instead of just the one? I'm basing the question off the general idea that two tires on the same axle should be roughly the same diameter.

I realize I could put this in the dumb question thread, but it being in its own thread with the title will help others (and Google) find a direct answer.
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
Hard to base that on mileage alone. Different tires wear at different rates based on compound, inflation, road conditions, driving style, vehicle weight, ect.

I would think you'd want to have more than 3/4 of the original tread depth to just replace a single tire vs 2. Assuming you are replacing in kind. It also depends on your rotation schedule and habits.

My Nittos measure 31.5" at 35psi with the Xterra sitting on them. Sean's Falkens with similar mileage measures 32" on the nose. Both 285/75/16 Load E AT tires at 35psi and similarly equipped trucks. So even a new Nitto is significantly shorter than a Falken. You'd want to do two in that situation.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Yeah. I'd say that's completely subjective and variable. I'd never replace just two tires. I always do a 5 tire rotation. When they get low enough, replace 4, keep the best one as the spare. Then on the next rotation, buy a new 5th tire to be rotated in. That way it spreads the cost out a bit. I've got almost 40k on my Coopers now and they're just getting to the point of replacement.
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
Yeah. I'd say that's completely subjective and variable. I'd never replace just two tires. I always do a 5 tire rotation. When they get low enough, replace 4, keep the best one as the spare. Then on the next rotation, buy a new 5th tire to be rotated in. That way it spreads the cost out a bit. I've got almost 40k on my Coopers now and they're just getting to the point of replacement.
I replaced my Coopers at about 40k too. They are still good tires but for an off-roader I want pretty fresh tires.
 

TheCrabby1

I Smell Fishy
Supporting Member
Location
Burtonsville, Md
I also do the 5 way tire rotation and I do it at every oil change [ 3,500 mile's] . I'm about 300 mile's shy of the 4th rotation . I can say at almost 14,000 mile's there's not that much wear !!

When they do wear down I'll replace all as I'm gonna go up in size 33" AT's for summertime.
 

XterraRising

Bumpers Installed
Location
Utah
I replace tires in sets of 4 personally. I look at wear patterns, how many times I’ve rotated them, if the wear bars are at the surface of the tread, sun checking, and how oxidized they keep getting between cleanings and turning brown. Sometimes I get a couple years out of a set. Sometimes I get more. The tires on my Xterra have worn extremely well for street tires, but I am overdue for rotation. But the Xterra sits 99% of the time, so whatever.
 

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
Good advice. Now that I have the rear carrier I want to rotate all 5. But the one will be brand new, so I’ll measure the difference once I have it later this week. If too much of a difference I’ll just keep the new one as the spare until the next set. If it’s close enough I’ll put it on immediately and do the 5-tire rotation but keep the new one on the ground an extra cycle or two.
 

CHUG

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Not to mention Rubber ages and gets harder. As they age, one can notice soon as new boots area on.. driving has a different feel to it.

Plus, us a penny to gauge meat thickness. As with depends on your driving needs.. If Living in a Mega city and mall crawling. Balled tires should work.
Snow, ice, gravel, Off Road. Running into ditch to Avoid Scat brain from hitting yea.. Good Tires with Meat.. While car behind yea gets stuck in the ditch.. hahaha. ( yes, I did Assist them to recover. And we lived!!! )

I run duratracks. 35 PSI.. I think was last reading..
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
Ugh i suck so much at rotating tires. And I dont think i have EVER done a five tire rotation.

You guys are just showing off now.
I typically pull all my wheels and wash the X underneath when I do an oil change so it's only extra work of dropping the spare. Plus tires are EXPENSIVE so I want the most mileage from them I can manage. I DD my wheeling X and take family trips in it. I like to closely inspect it regularly for damage and wear that could affect its safety and reliability. I have a 200k mile vehicle I wouldn't hesitate to drive cross country right now.
 

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
My new tire has a depth of 11mm and my current has 9mm, or 81%. Based on the above, I’ll go ahead and put the new one on as part of a 5-tire rotation and maybe just rotate more frequently until I can cycle it through a couple times and let it “catch up” with the others.
 
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