Originally Posted By: 2008wrx
Do all these new little AWD vehicles have tight tires (tolerance)? Like, we replace tires, it must be all 4 at the same time?
I've never seen one that did not say in the owner's manual that all 4 tires must match, or damage to the AWD system may occur. Like said, a 3 to 4/32" difference probably doesn't matter much, but I suppose more could.
The same can be said for any modern day FWD or RWD vehicle with fancy traction and stability control systems. The owner's manual will say the same for them, all 4 must match for safety reasons.
This is one of the reasons I won't run super premium tires, especially on my AWDs. If you have an unrepairable flat with one of your $200 Michelin, you're potentially out $800+ for a whole new set. Sure you can try to source a used one of the same make/model and wear, but what's the likelihood of that working out.
This is a real concern for me given my work commute takes me through some nasty industrial areas with lovely tiny bits of metal in the road that you can't see until it's too late.
Trash a $100 tire and it's only half as painful.
Our our minivans, they're so tough on tires given their weight and how we use them, that I rarely rotate the tires and just replace the fronts when they're about 50%. Very rarely do I have the same make/model tires front/back on the minivan.