Just need one tire - no one wants to install it, only 11,000 miles

[Scott Townsend]

I got a flat this morning on my Subaru OBL '03 and am looking to
install a new tire. The car only has 11,000 or so miles on it.

I'fe called Subaru and have check what tire I can use to replace the
one that id flat, though non of the tire dealers want to replace just
the one.

They said that if the tire is below 80% then its going to ruin the
car.

Can i get by with the one since its only been 11,000 miles? Can I
replace two?

I really cant afford to replace all 4 of them right now. )-;

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott<-

 

[Al]

I got a flat this morning on my Subaru OBL '03 and am looking to
install a new tire. The car only has 11,000 or so miles on it.

I'fe called Subaru and have check what tire I can use to replace the
one that id flat, though non of the tire dealers want to replace just
the one.

They said that if the tire is below 80% then its going to ruin the
car.

Can i get by with the one since its only been 11,000 miles? Can I
replace two?

I really cant afford to replace all 4 of them right now. )-;

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott<-

Go to a tire dealer who will shave your tire so it matches the others in
circumference. Speed shops often do this.

Unfortuneately the Subaru all-wheel drive will be damaged if the tire
circumerances vary too much.

Al

 

[Verbs Under My Gel]

I got a flat this morning on my Subaru OBL '03 and am looking to
install a new tire. The car only has 11,000 or so miles on it.

I'fe called Subaru and have check what tire I can use to replace the
one that id flat, though non of the tire dealers want to replace just
the one.

They said that if the tire is below 80% then its going to ruin the
car.

Can i get by with the one since its only been 11,000 miles? Can I
replace two?

I really cant afford to replace all 4 of them right now. )-;

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott<-

The _circumference_ of the each tire must be within 1/4 inch of the
others. If they're not within spec, you'll have to find a tire shop
that'll shave the new tire to match the other three. A new center
differential (or whatever the auto. trans. equipped model has) will
cost _way_ more than four tires.

 

[R]

The _circumference_ of the each tire must be within 1/4 inch of the
others. If they're not within spec, you'll have to find a tire shop
that'll shave the new tire to match the other three. A new center
differential (or whatever the auto. trans. equipped model has) will
cost _way_ more than four tires.

Would the AT Temp lamp flash if there is a mismatch between front
and rear speeds? I got mine to flash by pulling the parking brake
in the snow, and letting it skid on only the back wheels.

 

[Jim Stewart]

Would the AT Temp lamp flash if there is a mismatch between front
and rear speeds? I got mine to flash by pulling the parking brake
in the snow, and letting it skid on only the back wheels.

Don't do that.

 

[Edward Hayes]

Try to find a new or used tire (same model or manufacture) put it on and
forget it. That 1/4 inch is ideal only or why would they give you a full
size new spare.

 

[Edward Hayes]

Another thought. My 00 Forester came with the same size & same model spare.
If your spare is the same transfer the spare to the old wheel and use that
and find a used tire for the spare. eddie

 

[CompUser]

I got a flat this morning on my Subaru OBL '03 and am looking to
install a new tire. The car only has 11,000 or so miles on it.

You may have already checked this, but didn't
say..is the bad tire repairable? Sidewall problem
is a no-go...tread punctures can be plugged
(safely, generally, as long as you're not driving
"emergency vehicle style")...

Steve

 

[mac]

What they said.

Subies are very ticklish to variations in tire size. That's why the tire
shops won't do it.

Costco won't sell non HR rated tires for a Subie...because the HR tires'
have sidewall and tread characteristics that are required by the AWD for
reliability.

Buy a pair. (I feel your pain)

 

[Gilles Gour]

What they said.

Subies are very ticklish to variations in tire size. That's why the tire
shops won't do it.

Costco won't sell non HR rated tires for a Subie...because the HR tires'
have sidewall and tread characteristics that are required by the AWD for
reliability.

Buy a pair. (I feel your pain)

Alsa, a pair will not do. The problem with AWD cars
occurs when there is a difference in tire circumference
front to back and not side to side.

 

[Paul Pedersen]

Gilles Gour a écrit :

Alsa, a pair will not do. The problem with AWD cars
occurs when there is a difference in tire circumference
front to back and not side to side.

I believe it's only a problem with limited-slip differentials.
A regular differential shouldn't have any problem with tires
of different sizes. So if the car's an automatic (I don't
believe it was mentioned), a pair might be ok or a single
one up front (or the rear if there's no limited slip differential
back there).

I wish Subaru would just put a lockable center differential
on their manuals. I find them more useful and there wouldn't
be a problem with tire sizes.

 

[Gilles Gour]

Gilles Gour a écrit :




I believe it's only a problem with limited-slip differentials.
A regular differential shouldn't have any problem with tires
of different sizes. So if the car's an automatic (I don't
believe it was mentioned), a pair might be ok or a single
one up front (or the rear if there's no limited slip differential
back there).

I wish Subaru would just put a lockable center differential
on their manuals. I find them more useful and there wouldn't
be a problem with tire sizes.

Automatic or manual, an AWD Subaru has a center diff (viscous coupling
with the mt and electronically activated clutch pack if auto) and it's
this center diff which will suffer if front and back tires are not of
the same size. The center diff or Ecu (in the case of the auto)
«interprets» this difference as being a wheel always slipping and this
will overwork the center diff. The problem here is NOT with the front or
rear diff be they open or limited slip.
The beauty of AWD is that the center diff is NOT locked and will adapt
to the conditions of the road sending power to the axle that has grip
and allowing for the car to make a turn on dry pavement without binding.
On the Loyale for example, there is no center diff (equivalent of locked
center diff) and that makes 4WD (not AWD) usable only on slippery
surfaces. You get binding in a Loyale when you make turns on dry
pavement. I actually have a 96 Leagacy but used to drive a 92 Loyale.
Hope that this clears things up a little.
Happy new year.
Gilles

 

[Edward Hayes]

I try to keep all four tires circumference to within 1/4 inch but, I have
used my spare when I lost a tire. I ran the spare (new) with the 3 used (1/2
tread) for another 34,000 miles without problems. My Forester AT now has
over 61,000 miles on it and runs as new. The 1/4 is the "ideal" situation
and was adapted from the AUDI racing team. Most AWD systems use this
dimension. If people thought this was an absolute must then AWD vehicles
would be considered a very HI MAINTANCE vehicle for the average public.
Would I drive a car that gives me an identical size spare and then tells me
I am required to by 4 new tires every time I got an unfixable puncture? I
think not. Go buy you one tire, put it on and forget it. eddie