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Mixing new tires with worn tires

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Ignatz

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2014 2.0 5-spd FWD
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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I know the party line is "don't do it." However I also realize that there will always be some variance, even with properly rotated tires. My question is this: How much difference can I get away with?

Presently I'm running General RT45s. The tread on the best two are at 7/32". New tires have tread depth of 11/32". Does anyone think that variance is too much?

Presently the rears are at 4/32" so I'm already running a 3/32" variance front to back. IMHO, they look worse than 4/32" but that's what the tire shop said.

Or should I just keep my better ones on the front and let them wear down and replace them all when I have to.

Advice appreciated, particularly anyone who has made a similar decision.
 
#2 ·
Ignatz said:
Or should I just keep my better ones on the front and let them wear down and replace them all when I have to.
Click to expand...
This.

Unless they're causing problems I run them until they're done (even with AWD).

The exception would be if there's a large discount available that makes it worthwhile to replace sooner rather than go a few more miles / months and have to pay more, especially if it's close to winter.

If that makes any sense.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
I wish you'd said just buy 2, but I appreciate the straight answer. So I guess I'll run the old ones as long as I dare. 🤞
 
#4 ·
This is where I'll differ with Sandstone. I don't think 4/32, or 1/4" is too much of a variance to cause any issues. You can probably change that variance just with tire pressure too. Pump the good tires with a few extra pounds of air and let some air out of the low tires. If you have a scan tool that can show abs wheel speeds, watch them before and after for mph differences. If you're really worried about, hold on to the old tires and if there is an issue just put them back on and store the two new ones. I'm in a similar tire situation myself where the backs have worn more than the fronts even with 6k mile rotations. Not sure why but I also have a 3/32 variance front to back. And I just rotated them about 1k miles ago and I still do the cross rotate where fronts move straight back and backs cross sides to the front. I've done this since new and I managed to get 65k miles out of the oem wrangler sra's when new.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
So here I am at a coin toss! I've got conflicting opinions from people whose advice I respect. At least I know my dilemma is understandable. I know part of my variance is because I had a flat (destroyed) tire a few years ago and since my tires were still fairly new I only got two tires, and I saved the next worse tire for a spare. IDK how I haven't managed to even them out, but clearly two are better than the other two -- hence my question.

It's now August and I've only got to make November before the snows go on. I've got a tire shop nearby that has treated me well and they can actually look at them and give me their valued opinion. I'll keep you posted.
 
#6 ·
4/32 is 1/8. Which at those low numbers, does mean there's a decent bit more tread on the new tires, which shouldn't cause too big an imbalance in a 2wd, but if you can afford four tires and Discount Tire can put some of the old ones on the rack as used, then why not buy the whole set, especially at this time of year?
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Truth is, I was asking about my 2019 Compass and I got no responses over there. So I figured these both being AWD vehicles, that a Compass and a Patriot would be similar. Once again, I was wrong. I went to my local (reliable) tire shop. The manager's mother has a Compass like mine. He showed me that on page 210 of the owners manual (dare I trust it?) we're told that the tires can be replaced 2 at a time. That is similar to the advice my Olds dealer gave me years ago about my 1997 Bravada: just keep the tires the same axle-to-axle. Worn tires were not a big deal as long as the tires were otherwise the same and within legal specs.

I admit I'm the same guy that had multiple problems with my Patriot stuttering during acceleration. I deduced that the different wheel speeds were confusing the ECM, even on a FWD Patriot. Granted my tires were neither similar nor worn equally. Once the different tires were replaced the problem went away, hence my conclusion, and I still stand by it. The difference was about as instant and clear as could be.

Putting all these thoughts together, I'm going to run my worn tires down a little further and then replace two. If it turns into a problem, I will immediately get two more. I'm just squeezing every last dime for another 2 months when my new salary kicks in -- right now I'm just coasting on my checking account so I'm avoiding big expenses. I'm one of those people who refuses to carry credit card debt. If I can't pay for it, I don't buy it.
 
#8 ·
Sell the Fiat and buy something old-school then? Yeah, yeah, I know, shocking that'd come from me...........
 
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