One tire busted, do I need to replace all four?

[OYM35]

Hello Everyone!

I joined this forum a few months back and its been really helpful, Thank you! Today I have a question regarding tires. I have a 2009 M35x with 41k miles and unfortunately couple of days ago I busted my rear passenger tire on a pothole, its has been raining alot and construction is going on all around me = potholes galore! I went to a tire place and I was told that I need to replace all four tires since the tread on the other three tires is 6/32" and that if I put just one new tire, because its AWD I will eventually mess up my transmission. I was a little skeptical about that information so I have been doing some research on it and figured I'd ask you all as well. I am sure others might have been in this situation and I would greatly appreciate any advice.

Also, I had Goodyear Eagler RS A (245-45-18) and I am thinking of going with same ones if I end up replacing all four. I have been reading that alot of you prefer Michelin Primacy MXM4, but thats a little pricey for me right now(have a baby coming in a few months). I have been looking at purchasing something from eBay as well but my experiences have not been that great from eBay. Would appreciate any advice on any less expensive options as well.

Thanks in advance!

[kmiles]

You'll never regret replacing the RSA's with better tires - your car will drive like a completely different car - in a very positive way. I'm not a tire expert, but I've heard exactly what you've been told when it comes to replacing tires on AWD vehicles. There are a lot of strong opinions on the forum when it comes to tires, but it appears that the most popular tires are the Continentals and the Michelins. I'm on my second set of Michelin Pilot Sport All Season Plus - they are great here in the Northwest with lots of rain, occasional snow and nice warm summers. I understand that these tires have been recently replaced with the Pilot Sport All Season 3 and haven't seen anyone on this forum review them yet. If you go to tirerack, you'll find their rankings for the best tires in the category and best reviewed tires for Infiniti M35x. I'll say it stronger - I would not every buy another set of RSAs - they were the worst driving tires I've ever had and came standard on both of the last two cars I've purchased.

[rxmclaren7]

yes it is best to replace all four tires! i have the conti DWS on my car and love them! great in light snow...and great in the rain...also congrats on the new addition to your family!

[M45xATL]

The short answer is yes- you will need to bite it and replace all 4 tires. It's one of the perils of having an x....

[szh]

With 6/32" of the other three, it is a close call - even for the AWD model - as to whether you need to replace all tires, since you will not be that far off really in rolling diameter with a new tire.

However, if you have 41k miles on these tires (that is pretty darn good - was not clear to me whether you meant the car or these sets of tires had the 41k miles), then they should be replaced regardless.

Also, check the DOT manufacturing date on the tires. If more than 4 to 5 years old, then replace all four tires regardless. The rubber would have vulcanized quite a bit by now.

And, yes, definitely do not get the RSA tire as a replacement - even good Michelin touring tires will be good compared to those (although I would get better tires anyway)!

Currently, I am using the Michelin Super Sport in a 245/45-18 size and am very happy with them. Relatively low noise (given that that they are not touring tires), excellent handling and braking in wet and dry, good wear so far (after 10k miles, they are down about 3/32" or so). Only issue is that they are not inexpensive.

Z

[svard75]

Only need to replace the matching opposite side tire. I have an awd and always replace just two at a time. Move the new pair to the rear. It's not going to be that much difference for the awd system to detect and throw a code. This year my two fronts need to be changed and will be doing that. Now what you should consider is replacing all four because mismatched tire brands can throw your handling off strictly from a tire perspective. I went to Michelin pulps sport a/s and they have been really good. I get about 50k out of them but push it to 60k since they're only driven in the spring/summer months.

[mikesd1980]

Whats the big negative about RSA's? I had them stock on my 04 max and 04 FX and now the M. I kind of like them and think they perform well in rain and snow conditions.

[calidoso]

Any good websites to get cheaper tires? I'm looking to get Conti Extreme Contact DWS. Every site is like $170+.

Appreciate the help.

[svard75]

Any good websites to get cheaper tires? I'm looking to get Conti Extreme Contact DWS. Every site is like $170+.

Appreciate the help.

Quality costs money my friend. You can try to find them used for less but unfortunately due to the size requirements of our cars it's either more money for better quality or go with a Chinese brand of tire and pray the car won't slide out from under you.

Read this Car and Driver Review of 10 different tires
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons ... ison-tests

[OYM35]

Thank you all for the input! really appreciate it! I was lucky enough to find a used RSA in great condition with slightly more tread than the other 3 and that too for a steal @ $50. I've had it on for 4 days now and its running well. Money is kinda tight right now so I decided to give the used tire a shot. I plan on going with either Michelin Primacy or Pilot Sports AS3 once I am done with these probably by this time next year. Thanks again fellas! Glad I can a resource to rely on.

[calidoso]

Any good websites to get cheaper tires? I'm looking to get Conti Extreme Contact DWS. Every site is like $170+.

Appreciate the help[/list]elp.

Quality costs money my friend. You can try to find them used for less but unfortunately due to the size requirements of our cars it's either more money for better quality or go with a Chinese brand of tire and pray the car won't slide out from under you.

Read this Car and Driver Review of 10 different tires
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons ... ison-tests

Yeah I understand what your saying. Now i saw that you posted that you normally buy 2 at a time. Recently I was unfortunate enough to hit the mother of all potholes heading to New York. I popped both left side tires. Replaced them with used ones just to get around, but my M does not ride the same. I have to tilt the steering wheel alittle crooked to go straight. Is that the used tires compared to the right side tires being different?

If so, should I get 4 new tires or would i be able to use the right side ones in the front and just purchase 2 new tires for the back.

[calidoso]

Bump