Single tire needed replacement. Put back into rotation or keep as spare?

[Something Wild]

Recently had to get a single tire replaced due to unrepairable damage. I purchase and service my tires through Discount Tire and had the protection, so <50$ for a brand new tire seemed like a pretty good option.

Vehicle has ~20K miles and has factory Goodyear Territory 35s. I had been doing 5 tire rotations to maximize life and not just have a single unused tire sitting there for years. I'd say the old tires are about 1/2 tread depth of the new.

I'd like to keep the new tire in rotation to maximize life again and at least wear it down should I decide to change tires when they all need to be replaced. First time I've had to worry about this and I've seen conflicting information when trying to research further. I know AWD vehicles it is critical to try and maintain tire/tread size, but did not think it was as critical otherwise. Not worried about handling issues with the new tire in rotation, but definitely want to avoid any drivetrain damage.

Just curious of others experience with this and if it would be recommended to introduce this new tire into the mix or just keep on the back as a spare.

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[Smocaine]

You probably want to fall back to a 4-tire rotation now - 20,000 miles of treadwear is pretty significant. There's no good way to age a new tire to properly match 4 used ones. Run the 4 until your tires are done (or you get another unrepairable flat) then buy 5 and maybe you can sell your fresh spare for a couple bucks.

If you do decide to keep doing 5, I would avoid using the 4A mode whenever possible, and maybe even 4WD in general.

 

[dgorsett]

Idk what Schrodigers cat is, but maybe this? If you leave it out of the rotation now, you may be done with 5 tire rotations forever, or at some point you'll have to throw away an unused tire. If you're staying with the same size you could dedicate it as a spare as long as you feel good about weathering.

If you don't run 4wd or 4A on dry pavement, which you shouldn't anyway, I think you'd be fine throwing it in the mix. Your Bronco will just think you're always driving in a gentle circle.

 

[B22-2023]

Recently had to get a single tire replaced due to unrepairable damage. I purchase and service my tires through Discount Tire and had the protection, so <50$ for a brand new tire seemed like a pretty good option.

Vehicle has ~20K miles and has factory Goodyear Territory 35s. I had been doing 5 tire rotations to maximize life and not just have a single unused tire sitting there for years. I'd say the old tires are about 1/2 tread depth of the new.

I'd like to keep the new tire in rotation to maximize life again and at least wear it down should I decide to change tires when they all need to be replaced. First time I've had to worry about this and I've seen conflicting information when trying to research further. I know AWD vehicles it is critical to try and maintain tire/tread size, but did not think it was as critical otherwise. Not worried about handling issues with the new tire in rotation, but definitely want to avoid any drivetrain damage.

Just curious of others experience with this and if it would be recommended to introduce this new tire into the mix or just keep on the back as a spare.

How does it ride with the new one on the ground?

I don’t know what the right technical answer is but on mine, I put 2 new tires on alongside 2 with 1/4 treadwear. Rides oddly on the road unless the 2 new are on the rear. Messed up my 5 tire rotation method for now. If 1 tire was replaced and I had this ride, I’d put it on as the spare and go to 4 tire rotation.

 

[Something Wild]

You probably want to fall back to a 4-tire rotation now - 20,000 miles of treadwear is pretty significant. There's no good way to age a new tire to properly match 4 used ones. Run the 4 until your tires are done (or you get another unrepairable flat) then buy 5 and maybe you can sell your fresh spare for a couple bucks.

If you do decide to keep doing 5, I would avoid using the 4A mode whenever possible, and maybe even 4WD in general.

This is the direction I was leaning, just falling back to four tire rotations. I liked the idea of keeping the 5 tire rotations, but if it needs to be done with, then so be it.

How does it ride with the new one on the ground?

I don’t know what the right technical answer is but on mine, I put 2 new tires on alongside 2 with 1/4 treadwear. Rides oddly on the road unless the 2 new are on the rear. Messed up my 5 tire rotation method for now. If 1 tire was replaced and I had this ride, I’d put it on as the spare and go to 4 tire rotation.

I haven't tried driving with the new tire in rotation yet. Will likely keep it as a dedicated spare.

 

[Smocaine]

This is the direction I was leaning, just falling back to four tire rotations. I liked the idea of keeping the 5 tire rotations, but if it needs to be done with, then so be it.

It may also be worth trying a UV stabilizer product or tire cover in the meantime - if your spare stays new enough (and you buy more of the same tire) you might even be able to just buy 4 next time and resume your 5-tire rotation.

 

[Brian_B]

It may also be worth trying a UV stabilizer product or tire cover in the meantime - if your spare stays new enough (and you buy more of the same tire) you might even be able to just buy 4 next time and resume your 5-tire rotation.

This is what I would do - throw a tire cover over it or something, and get 4 more when the time comes, then get back to 5 tire

3/32” is the thumbrule for tread difference for “ok to drive on full time” based on the general consensus of internet idiots and orangutans.

 

[Jakob1972]

Fore some reason my ford dealership would not do a 5 tire rotation even though I asked for it. so after the second rotation and they failed to mix in the spare I only did the 4 tire rotation. in March I had the tires replaced Discount made me a smoking deal on BFG K03s and I ended up throwing away a 2 year old tire that had never touched the ground. my plan was to only buy 4 tires and mix it in but here we are. I do love the K03s but they throw rocks like a muther.

 

[Tricky Mike]

I've mixed in new with as low as 75% and been fine, but I think you're pushing it at 50%. But this isn't some super advanced AWD either and isn't that sensitive.

For anyone dealing with this in the future, take a look at United Tires. For pretty cheap you can get a tire with some wear on it already and mix it right in.

 

[VirginiaHeritage]

You have two choices to avoid drivetrain damage:

Shave it down to match the average tread depth of the others and then put it in rotation, OR don’t use it at all except in front in an emergency, and 2WD only.

These are the only smart options I know of with your Advanced 4WD system.

EDIT: I have ordered shaved tires from Tire Rack twice for Subarus. Maybe someone local to you offers that.

 

[Something Wild]

Appreciate the input. Good to know about United Tires also.

 

[jrollo7]

This is what I would do - throw a tire cover over it or something, and get 4 more when the time comes, then get back to 5 tire

3/32” is the thumbrule for tread difference for “ok to drive on full time” based on the general consensus of internet idiots and orangutans.

I resent the attack on orangutans 🦧!
“We’re smart, not like they say!”:
Fredo-The Godfather

 

[Blue Hen]

Don't forget a 5 tire rotation would put the tires at 15k wear instead of 20k wear.

 

[murphtron]

I've mixed in new with as low as 75% and been fine, but I think you're pushing it at 50%. But this isn't some super advanced AWD either and isn't that sensitive.

For anyone dealing with this in the future, take a look at United Tires. For pretty cheap you can get a tire with some wear on it already and mix it right in.

Thanks for the United Tire validation. I tore a sidewall this weekend. Had to cut the trip short as a result. Found United Tires on eBay and bought a KO2 with similar tread wear for $70. Hope it works! It’s E rated but the other 4 are C rated. But shouldn’t matter as a spare with similar tread wear. I’m down to 5-6/32 (depending on tire and where I measure). I need to limp along and move to 35” tires soon along with new suspension. Heh.

 

[jtgensler]

Don't forget a 5 tire rotation would put the tires at 15k wear instead of 20k wear.

The math ain't mathing on this one....

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