Replacing 2 tires

[Trooko]

My tire has a nail on the shoulder section so it needs replacing. After asking a few places, they suggest a set 4... after some chatting a set of 2 (for now)... because the current set still has lot of thread (I use a winter in winter and summer set in summer)

However, the exact model is out of production so the various shops and online sites offered models of the same brand and size as the current but higher speed and load rating.

Current tires: Bridgestone Potenza RE92A 215/50R17 (90H SL)Link (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza+RE92A&partnum=15HR7RE92A)
Suggestion 1(Shop): Bridgestone Potenza G019 Grid 215/50R17 (95V XL)Link (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza+G+019+Grid&partnum=15VR7G019XL)
Suggestion 2(Shop): Bridgestone Turanza EL400 215/50R17 (90V SL)link (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Turanza+EL400-02&partnum=15VR7EL40002V2&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Toyota&autoYear=2006&autoModel=Matrix%20XR&autoModClar=)
Suggestion 3(Web):Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 215/50R17 (91V SL)Link (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Ecopia+EP422&partnum=15VR7EP422&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Toyota&autoYear=2006&autoModel=Matrix%20XR&autoModClar=)

Based on tire threads, suggestion 2 and 3 are the closest and the price including installation are $579 and $350, respectively. (I think the difference is due different company that I got the quotes from because the price online before freight are $356 and $302, respectively)

Suggestion 3 appears to be my choice.

Additional consideration:
The overall diameter of 2 and 3 are 0.2" (5.08mm) smaller than my current set's spec but factor in ~2mm of wear, the actual difference is ~3mm. Consider the revolution per km is 491 (new) vs 489 (current) so it's less than 0.5% difference. Also note, it's a FWD vehicle so this factor was ignored.

Suggestion 2 is "1" unit higher in loading than my current set while suggestion 3 is the same as my current set. I think only if the loading factor is lower than the current set will cause concerns so this doesn't make either suggestions better or worse and this factor was ignored.

Suggestion 2's price include road hazard for 5 years (i.e. free repair/ replacement in case of another nail) while suggestion 3's price will add an additional $50 to get 4 years. A perk but I can probably get the suggestion 2 dealer to get the suggestion 3 models and give the same protection so this factor is ignored.

Assume my current set wears down another 3mm (3mm remaining) and that the new set sitting in the back will hopefully wear only 2mm (6mm) remaining, and then I buy another 2 tires so all 4 will be the same model but the the treads will have a difference of 2mm, which I think is acceptable...the Rev/km difference will again be less than 0.5%

Any other insight? (I understand the idea of replacing 4 tires together is better but I have a difficult accepting that I have to buy 4 tire even though 3 of those tires are still in good shape)

[JohnB]

Buy 2 tires with a pattern as close as possible to your discontinued pattern.

[macnut]

Although out of production, you should be able to find a new one somewhere and have it shaved down for a small additional cost.
Might have to come from the U.S. though. Dealerships often have discontinued tires in stock longer than tire stores who quickly return them to the distributor.

Or, a used one with about the desired remaining tread depth.

Such as:
http://london.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-auto-parts-tires-tires-rims-Pneu-Potenza-RE92A-215-50R17-W0QQAdIdZ370073609

Have your local auto. recycler/scrap yard see if they can locate one, or a pair, for you.

[Scott84]

Never mix speed ratings across the same axle.

And if you have have different speed ratings for the front and the back. The higher always stays on the rear. No rotations. (On cars that don't have staggered sizes....)

[bas00m]

install the 2 new ones at the front if your car is FWD or back if RWD the newer tires will have a better handling/grip when braking and such ... I honestly do think you need to change 4 but if you dont want to then get the closest tread to ur old ones! try to get as close as possible ....

and just a small FYI you might feel a slight difference in the handling due to the new tires!

[macnut]

install the 2 new ones at the front if your car is FWD or back if RWD the newer tires will have a better handling/grip when braking and such ...

Used to be the convention, but not any longer!

See:

http://car-accident-rain.com/

Any tire shop will confirm this - doesn't matter if you are FWD, RWD or AWD, the better tread depth needs to be on the rear to prevent a situation where your rear-end comes round to meet you.

[CRXGSR]

Used to be the convention, but not any longer!

See:

http://car-accident-rain.com/

Any tire shop will confirm this - doesn't matter if you are FWD, RWD or AWD, the better tread depth needs to be on the rear to prevent a situation where your rear-end comes round to meet you.


Do you see a contradiction there??



FACT: Tires on the front will typically wear more than tires on the rear of a vehicle.

FACT: If the tires are rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, the tires on the vehicle will have reasonably even tread.

if the best tread stay on the rear, on a FWD car, the tires will never get rotated.

and the rear end will come loose only if you're driving stupidly...

[DavidY]

Personally, I would buy a pair of two new tires that closely matches the existing tread and compound of the existing tires....if the existing still has good tread remaining. Otherwise, I would get a set of four new matching tires...use this option if you don't like your existing tires....reviews are mixed on the RE92A.

Have you tried contacting the autorecyclers and used tire shops for a used Potenza RE92A with similar tread depth and date code? There is also another tire RE92...not sure on the differences.

Dave

[Scott84]

install the 2 new ones at the front if your car is FWD or back if RWD the newer tires will have a better handling/grip when braking and such ... I honestly do think you need to change 4 but if you dont want to then get the closest tread to ur old ones! try to get as close as possible ....

and just a small FYI you might feel a slight difference in the handling due to the new tires!

You always install new tires on the rear on a FWD when installing just two.

However if the gap on the tread is less than 3/32, than you install them on the front. And try and even out the tread.

[Trooko]

Thanks for advices. The technician stated similar points but confirmed that the rear arrangement will be fine so I've ordered the tires and waiting for them to arrive. I'll post what it feels like once the new wheels are on. Thank you