If you've had a blowout and one tire is too damaged to repair, you may be tempted to replace just that one, especially if the other ones are new. Having mismatched tires affects how your car performs and is not always the best choice, even if it saves you money. Here are the factors to think about when deciding how many to replace.

How Many Tires Should You Replace?

Tread Depth

It's not worth keeping tires that you will replace soon anyway. Treads which have worn down to 1/8" or shallower need immediate replacement. You can test this by inserting a penny between the treads; if you can see the top of Lincoln's head, they are completely worn out. If each is close to this point, replace all of them rather than only one.

Type of Tire

If you mismatch the size of the tire, the shape of the tread, and other features, the wheels will spin at different rates and grip the road differently. Doing so makes it challenging to steer, as the car won't handle normally. If you can't find a good match for your other tires, replace them in pairs to keep the vehicle symmetrical and avoid having it pull to one side.

Drive Train

If your car has all-wheel drive, wheels that spin at different rates are a significant problem. They put the drive train into a four-wheel lock, causing extra wear and potentially damaging the drive train. You should always replace the tires at the same time on this type of vehicle. A two-wheel drive vehicle will handle the difference better, so you may replace one or two wheels.

If you need new tires in Florissant, MO, choose Mullanphy Tire & Automotive. This St. Louis County auto mechanic has offered decades of reliable, ethical repairs. They're committed to explaining your car's needs to you thoroughly so you can understand what you're getting and why it's needed. For questions, call (314) 921-4961, or learn more about their specific services on their website.