do i have to replace all four tires? had a flat...

[ZEUS]

your logic is lame.

[circmand]

your logic is lame.

Not offended just trying to do Steve Martin in text.

But arguement holds water even recomended on the Michelin web site complete with a 21/2 minute video. But hey what does Michelin know about tires? Am I right?

Where do I install new tires if I only buy two?
If you’re replacing only two tires, be sure to have the new tires installed on your vehicle’s rear axle. Here’s why:

•New tires will provide better wet grip than your half-worn tires.
•When new tires are installed on the rear, it helps reduce the potential for your vehicle to fishtail or hydroplane in wet conditions.
Mounting Two Tires (2 1/2-minute video)

[etlsport]

Not offended just trying to do Steve Martin in text.

But arguement holds water even recomended on the Michelin web site complete with a 21/2 minute video. But hey what does Michelin know about tires? Am I right?

Where do I install new tires if I only buy two?
If you’re replacing only two tires, be sure to have the new tires installed on your vehicle’s rear axle. Here’s why:

•New tires will provide better wet grip than your half-worn tires.
•When new tires are installed on the rear, it helps reduce the potential for your vehicle to fishtail or hydroplane in wet conditions.
Mounting Two Tires (2 1/2-minute video)

if you talk to michelin directly they will always advocate 4 tires. I watched that video as part of a training seminar with michelin/bf goodrich, goodyear, bridgestone and falken

before showing the video i believe their words were "if you MUST put two tires on" but they never recommend only two

the problem is as stated before, your best traction does need to be on the rear of the vehicle exactly as shown in that video. but you also need to rotate your tires.

just yesterday i had a customer come in with a $1200 set of LT tires where two had worn out after 12k miles.. i called up goodyear, the first thing they asked was for history of tire rotations. after verifying the tires had been rotated, air pressure was correct and the alignment had been periodically checked, goodyear gave him an $700 credit towards new tires. in my experience if you dont have documented rotations, you can kiss any sort of mileage warranties goodbye

also the video shows the lesser of two evils. think about it, the way the rear tires give out on the "wrong" car... do you really want those tires on the front of your car? you may not spin, but you still have greatly reduced steering control and stopping ability.

[vt_maverick]

in my experience if you dont have documented rotations, you can kiss any sort of mileage warranties goodbye

Really good to know, guess I better start asking the shop to do them. Problem is I change my own oil, air filter, etc. so I'm only in there for 15K services. I imagine that's not frequent enough for manufacturers' whose tires are designed to go 45K miles or less.

[etlsport]

at home service is always sort of a gray area.. with oil changes and things like that for warranty purposes we accept proof of purchase of oil/parts as long as they seem to be installed properly its acceptable

with tire rotation etc theres no real way to "prove it" but if all 4 tires wear out evenly (ie you buy 4 tires, and they ALL wear out at the same time, the tire companies put up much less fight for warranty purposes. regardless of what/how many tires are being warrantied, 9/10 times im asked tread depths on all 4 tires in 3 places (inner tread, outer tread, center tread) these measurements will show over/under inflation, lack of rotation, improper alignment etc in most cases

sorry for the TJ!

back on topic sorta.. here is the michelin video circ was talking about, the very beginning of the video even calls needing 2 tires a "situation" ie not the norm

http://www.michelinman.com/tire-care...artire-change/


to the OP.
more info would be helpful in making a good decision too. actual tread depth measurements rather than %, the model of the tires in question etc.

if you do 2 tires, just be sure they are identical to the other two on your VX (size, tread pattern and speed rating, if they are factory dueler HTs be weary, there are 3-4 different types of dueler HT out there). and as stated before, make sure the new tires wind up on the rear both for traction and for the sake of your TOD

just to put into perspective, on a non awd vehicle 5/32 of tread is considered the max we will allow tires on one axle to differ to ensure ride quality/predictability and the VX essentially has a differential between the front and rear

[circmand]

if you talk to michelin directly they will always advocate 4 tires. I watched that video as part of a training seminar with michelin/bf goodrich, goodyear, bridgestone and falken

before showing the video i believe their words were "if you MUST put two tires on" but they never recommend only two

the problem is as stated before, your best traction does need to be on the rear of the vehicle exactly as shown in that video. but you also need to rotate your tires.

just yesterday i had a customer come in with a $1200 set of LT tires where two had worn out after 12k miles.. i called up goodyear, the first thing they asked was for history of tire rotations. after verifying the tires had been rotated, air pressure was correct and the alignment had been periodically checked, goodyear gave him an $700 credit towards new tires. in my experience if you dont have documented rotations, you can kiss any sort of mileage warranties goodbye

also the video shows the lesser of two evils. think about it, the way the rear tires give out on the "wrong" car... do you really want those tires on the front of your car? you may not spin, but you still have greatly reduced steering control and stopping ability.

The tire guy selling you the tires and working on commision recomends buying 4 tires instead of 2? Gee I am sure that doubling his commision has nothing to do with that. That attachment is copied right off the Michelin web site. I am sure if there were a safety issue they would mention it. On all sites I checked it never stated you must replace 4 just recomended and then if you replace 2 put them on the rear. Seems tome since tires dont wear at the same speed you can always rotate them based on vehicle wear. After all if all tires had to be the exact same size you would not be able to rotate them at all.