Question About Changing Tires

[tony77ca]

My front dirver side tire cannot be repaird. I am thinking about changing the two front tires with new ones and leaving the rear tires because they still have good thread.

What Canadian Tire suggested (I don't like going there but I was buying some things at the store) is that I have to change all 4 tires because if I don't it will ruin/damage the 4 by 4 in the vehicle.

Does this make sense? Do I have to change all 4 tires, I would like to change only the two front ones because I have a limited budget.

Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[JCL]

What year X5 do you have? Pre-2004 had a fixed transfer case and can have more problems with mismatched tires.

BMW have a specification for the maximum difference in rolling diameter, often an issue with non-standard tire sizes, but I don't know it offhand. It isn't really the spec you need here in any case.

If the rear tires have reasonable tread left, I would think you would be OK. If the rears are significantly worn, then yes, you should get four tires.

Someone on here will have the spec for maximum allowable difference expressed as a tread wear depth measurement.

Have you called your dealer and asked them?

[tony77ca]

Thanks for replying. The rear tires have around 60% thread in them. My X5 is 2002 model. I am trying to avoid changing all 4 because of the cost. I prefer to change only the 2 at the front if I can get away with that without causing any damage to the vehicle.

I should mention that I have a set of 4 winter tires with Rims that I put on every winter. I am not sure if this will make a difference since the 4 by 4 is used more in the Winter.

[amacman]

the tolerance in circumference is half inch or 12 millimetre so you should be good with just changing fronts only.what wheel / tire combination are you running now . i have 20in wheels with toyo proxes and one rear tyre has split on inner sidewall after 6000 miles .

[tony77ca]

My tires are goodyear. I had them in storage over the winter. I noticed the problem with one of them (leaking from the side) when I replaced my winter tires last week.

[X5 Meister]

I don't know the max allowable diff expressed as a tread depth, but BMW's min recommended tread depth is 3mm for summer and 4mm for winter tires. So if you are near there then I'd change all 4.

Originally Posted by JCL

What year X5 do you have? Pre-2004 had a fixed transfer case and can have more problems with mismatched tires.

BMW have a specification for the maximum difference in rolling diameter, often an issue with non-standard tire sizes, but I don't know it offhand. It isn't really the spec you need here in any case.

If the rear tires have reasonable tread left, I would think you would be OK. If the rears are significantly worn, then yes, you should get four tires.

Someone on here will have the spec for maximum allowable difference expressed as a tread wear depth measurement.

Have you called your dealer and asked them?

[amacman]

just for your information , your spare tire will be inflated to , i think 3.3 bar to prevent distortion or rim leaks and so when storing your summer / winter tires you should inflate to 3.3 bar and move them around every month or thereabout to prevent pressure points causing distortion . do not forget to reduce pressure when fitting to car .