AWD and new tires

[ABQVue]

I wonder if you might be able to tell me if I am getting the run around. The right front pax tire picked up a couple of nails. Took the vehicle to local Discount Tire store for repair. Call and advise me the tire cannot be repaired. They have a Continental tire that is top of the line and recommend it. The other 3 are original Bridgestones ( 470000 miles on them ). Give them the okay and they mount it. When we get there to pick it up the salesman says " we recommend that you buy 3 more of these tires as the tread pattern is different and you will ruin the transmission on the vehicle if you run with 3 Bridgestones and 1 Continental ". Needless to say we have a discussion and they magically find the proper Bridgestone tire at another store here in the city. They wanted to charge us a ton more and we have another discussion.

After all of that I would like to know for future reference if the transmissions on these Vue's is that sensitive to different tread patterns? I caould understand if there was a significant difference in the size of the tires, etc. Any thoughts or information would be appreciated! Thank you.

[Tom92SCm]

Well, typically you want to replace tires at least in axle sets- especially since your OEM Bridgestones with 470,000 miles on them (47,000 miles on them perhaps? ;)) should be about worn out as it is anyway. On traditional AWD vehicles that are actually AWD all-the-time it is even more critical to make sure all your tires are the same diameter. I know a guy at work who had to get about $1000 worth of work done to his AWD Jeep because he ran 2 different sized tires for too long. Since an AWD VUE is a FWD VUE 99.99% of the time, I don't know how much it really matters. I know on S-series Saturns, running the donut spare on the front can cause the differential to blow out because of the different rotational speeds. I don't think the VUE is as sensitive.

With 47,000 miles on your OEM tires, I would replace them anyway as they are surely nearing the wear bars as it is and wet traction goes down considerably even before the tires get to the wear bars.

And I'd take a set of Continentials over a set of Bridgestones any day of the week.

[VTchemist]

A poster a few month ago mentioned if the difference in the front and rear drive shafts was about 10 rpm, the PTO would engage and try to drive the rear wheels. This could happen with new tires on the front and worn out ones on the rear.

I did the calculations on a new tire with full tread (11/32) and a worn one (down to 2/32). Sure 'nuff, you can get a 10 +rpm difference in the driveshafts.

So, what does this mean for the AWD VUE? Since your OEM tires are nearly worn out, I would recommend you replace them. You do run the risk of damaging your AWD.

Tire size is the main thing here. Tread patterns will not affect the rpm, but you could have different braking efficiencies (traction rating on the tires...).

I would suggest you run the same type of tires on the front. The rear could be a different tread pattern, but you need to make sure the sizes are the same.

Hope this helps.

[Bunshaw]

This is also why they typically recommend that if you must replace a tire, that you replace its partner as well. Even if that leaves you with a full size spare. For all the reasons above its just not a good idea to have a good tire and a worn tire on the same axle.

ABQVue, your Bridgestone's may be worn but if you cannot afford to replace all of them now, choose the 2 best worn tires and buy an additional tire to match the new tire you just bought. Make sure they mount that new tire on the same axle opposite the other new tire you just bought. Most people put the new tires on the front since FWD/part-time AWD vehicles typically wear there most to help prolong the worn rear tires until they can buy new ones to replace those.

[ABQVue]

Thanks for all of the input I do appreciate your thoughts. We got the stuff straightened out with the local store and will more than likely get another tire on shortly to match the newest one.