Last week my wife got a screw in a tire. Luckily we were able to have it patched.

Earlier today someone pulled out in front of her and she swerved to avoid the collision and hit a curb putting a hole in the sideway of the same tire.

The vehicle is a Mazada CX9 awd with 17500 miles. It’s a lease and goes back in March. The tires are about 5 or 6/32. I can replaced the one tire with a matched used one for about $100. I can replace all 4 with used tires 8/32 for about $550. New tires are going to be around $800.

What would you do? Replace one, four used or all new?

One, in this case.

Just the one , “matched” tire will do.

Yeah, on a lease that's going back in under a year, one tire is probably what I'd do too.

One, with rotations it will even out in short order.

40K+ on the miles I might consider replacing all 4. Also depends on the type of tire. Radials have a life of 8-9/32, so you are replacing a tire with maybe 6-7/32 LIFE left with a "used" tire which unless you're being robbed by the store likely ranges from 5-9/32 actual tread depth anyway. So your differences is front and back. you're likely only +/- 1-2/32 on a used tire. It's not like you are going from brand new 11/32 to "used" 3/32.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:


40K+ on the miles I might consider replacing all 4.

You would never get 40k miles on a set of tires around here. My truck is lucky to get 20k. AWD suv might get around 25k. My concern is replacing this one tire but still possibly needing new tires before the lease ends.

I’d put a used match on it and turn it in early.

quote:

Originally posted by gpbst3:

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:


40K+ on the miles I might consider replacing all 4.

You would never get 40k miles on a set of tires around here. My truck is lucky to get 20k. AWD suv might get around 25k. My concern is replacing this one tire but still possibly needing new tires before the lease ends.

I'm sorry man but even in the most extreme of places 20K is shitty for brake pads must less tires. I've ran tires in mountains for 50K. windy roads while braking. What is causing 20K on tires? heavy loads? salt? there isn't a place on this earth besides a race track where anything less than 40-50K is acceptable.

AWD? Replace at least a pair. All four may be necessary depending on how Mazda does it's AWD system.

I don't trust used tires, otherwise if the tread depth matched it might be ok.

Look in your owner's manual about replacing tires. It will have a specification for how close the tread depths have to be. AWD needs to have all 4 tires the same or it causes the mechanicals to overheat and wear out.

If one tire is different, the differential on that axle will get unnecessary wear. And whatever mechanism that sends drive power to the front and rear (sort of like a differential but between the front and rear rather than between left and right) will also get more wear than it should.

So, I would find one tire within the spec difference of the 3 you already have. Or, you could replace all 4 now if you think it pretty certain you'll have to replace them before turning it in at end of lease. Might as well drive for a year on good new tires than pay for the next person to have them. Your lease will specify what kind of tires you will have to put on it.

I've always been a replace tires in pairs person. That's how my Dad is too.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:
...there isn't a place on this earth besides a race track where anything less than 40-50K is acceptable.

Texas puts an extraordinary amount of aggregate in its roads and I've never gotten even close to the published miles out of a set of tires (e.g. 35k out of 50k tires). I've lived in 3 other states in Lower 48, Alaska, and Canada and never experienced tire wear like this.

Before you ask, no I'm not buying budget tires. For example, currently have Michelin on my truck.

I’m not usually in favor of a used tire but in this case it seems the way to go. If you can match tire and close to depth I would do it.

You can deal with all 4 when you have.

I’d do one tire in this situation.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:

I'm sorry man but even in the most extreme of places 20K is shitty for brake pads must less tires. I've ran tires in mountains for 50K. windy roads while braking. What is causing 20K on tires? heavy loads? salt? there isn't a place on this earth besides a race track where anything less than 40-50K is acceptable.

Nah, different places have different pavement. Here in TX the country roads I drive and ride are hell on tires. Pebble and tar made so the roads chew your tires away. I bought land in another state and the pavement there is glass smooth. Excellent pavement. Night and day difference.

Will you get dinged if you turn it in with tires at 3/32nds? I've never leased but if you turn one in that needs tires, and at 3/32nds you do, are you charged for new tires?

If you are I'd buy the $800 new set and get the 9 months best use out of them. New tires do ride nice and peace of mind has value. Otherwise I'd go for the single used.

Keep me in mind if you want to sell. I've got a 2016 2wd GT w/92k that I love but would like to upgrade to a lower miles awd in signature or grand touring trim.

Goes back in March, so a $100 used tire gets you 4 tires with half tread now and 6 months of driving before winter starts. I might go with the new tires and tell your wife that her safety is your primary concern.