Replacing Tires on AWD: 2 or 4?

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11) 11/22/2019 at 10:30 • Filed to: None

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My mom has a slow leak in a tire on her 2017 Kia Sportage SX Turbo AWD. The tire shop is telling her to only replace one tire, I say absolutely not, do at least 2 . I’d always heard that all 4 tires should be replaced on an AWD vehicle. So the question is, should we replace the front 2 or all 4?

camarov6rs > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 11/22/2019 at 10:35

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I would say if the tread hasn’t worn much then replacing one might not be bad. I’d check the owners manual for some guidance too.

Nibby > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 11/22/2019 at 10:36

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switch to 38" all terrains

JustAnotherG6 > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 11/22/2019 at 10:38

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Slime it and be done. If the tire definitely needs to be replaced and the others aren’t nearly new I’d go with 4. Which is another reason I don’t want AWD...

412GTI > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 11/22/2019 at 10:38

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Def check what the owners manual says. I believe those part time AWD systems are okay with changing only two tires opposed to all four on something like a Subaru, but def want to be safe. 

ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 11/22/2019 at 10:40

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Yes, like others have said, check what the owner’s manual says, because it really depends on how the AWD system works.

Tripper > Nibby 11/22/2019 at 10:40

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ye

Textured Soy Protein > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 11/22/2019 at 10:42

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You don’t absolutely need to do all 4 at the same time on awd, depending on how the awd works. For a fwd-based slip ‘n grip system like the Sportage, you could probably be fine with only replacing 2 tires. As for only doing 1, that depends on the state of the other tire on the same axle as the one that needs to be replaced. 

CalzoneGolem > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 11/22/2019 at 10:49

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How many miles on the current tires?

I think it’s a 1  or 4 type situation. 

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > CalzoneGolem 11/22/2019 at 10:54

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27k miles or around there

CalzoneGolem > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 11/22/2019 at 10:57

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I’d replace all 4 if it were my car. 

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 11/22/2019 at 11:03

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Wh ere is the leak? Were they able to find it?

Assuming it’s not in the sidewall, I’d jus t patch it. If they can’t find any leaks I’d have ‘e m swap out the valve stem then keep an eye on it. I n my experience that’s been where most of my slow leaks have occurred when no punctures can be found.

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 11/22/2019 at 11:06

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You would have to check for the specific car, most AWD systems, even the lame FWD based ‘onlyAWDwhenthefrontwheelsslip’ AWD still doesn’t like different diameter wheels. From my understanding this tells whatever is in control of the AWD that the wheels are spinning at different speeds and when they are not. (I only know this from seeing exploded diffs and transfer cases on JRITS from different tire sizes on AWD cars).

Your case might be different, but TL:DR

Your AWD vehicle likely has make-specific instructions which should be found and followed with regard to tire sizes. 

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: 11/22/2019 at 11:27

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It’s leak from a patch, so there’s no fixing it

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 11/22/2019 at 11:36

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Can you get a refund on the patch at least? ;)

Seriously though, that’s a shame. Was the previous leak actually patched from the inside or just plugged ? If patched, and by them, I’d be asking for a deal since it’s their patch job that failed. If it was simply plugged, then a tire off patch should still be an option.

Fyoeu > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 11/22/2019 at 11:58

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Perhaps it’s time for all new tires.... and wheels..... and suspension set up

4kc > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 11/22/2019 at 12:10

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Tire rack can shave to match if you don't want to replace 4

TheRealBicycleBuck > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 11/22/2019 at 12:10

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From the Kia manual:

“The ABS works by comparing the speed of the wheels. The tire size affects wheel speed. When replacing tires, all 4 tires must use the same size originally supplied with the vehicle. Using tires of a different size can cause the ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) and ESC (Electronic Stability Control) to work irregularly.”

Small differences in tire size can affect the system and that includes the difference between new and worn tires .

Subaru requires all four to be replaced at the same time. If you don’t, the stability system is constantly working to equalize the wheel spin rates and it can overheat some components of the system. I found a post where a fellow replaced only one tire and the car needed a new transmission 150 miles later. I used this story, and the requirements in the o wner’s manual, to convince an insurance adjuster to replace all four tires when his insured wrecked my WRX.

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 11/22/2019 at 15:33

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I was always told 4 tires with AWD