Denali Xl - Tire Died; Do I Need To Buy 4?

steiny93 · March 28, 2011

tire on wifes denali xl is toast; new tires have 11/32nd of tread; the 3 remaining tires are at 8/32nd's

can I get away with only buying 1? or do i need to buy 4?

Superperv23 · March 28, 2011

buying one is never a good idea, the difference in size can cause problem with handling and trac and stability control. You can get away with buying two though and always keep them as a side to side pair.

HawkScot · March 28, 2011

You really want them all the same size when you have AWD. If they are different sizes, you will have drive train wear, probably in the transfer case and differentials. We have been very fortunate when we had a tire be non repairable, Les Schwab replaced it with a used tire with very close to the same tread depth, same tire. It has worked out great for us.

A few years back, the tire dealer could "shave" the tread to make a new tire match the old ones so you don't have to buy 4. Yes, you get reduced use from the new one, but at least you have a reasonably close set.

Superperv23 · March 28, 2011

I forgot the denali is awd, so either 4 or what hawkeye said

SparkySparks · March 28, 2011

Most cases you are good just getting two and running them on as a pair on the same axle. I don't have a lot of experience with AWD but it makes sense that if all tires would need to be the same size.

ChevyTech77 · March 28, 2011

If its AWD it gets all four new, no questions asked. Seen too many issues by just replacing one.

steiny93 · March 28, 2011

yup its an AWD

I'm not following the (if 1 dies always buy 4 new ones) what if you have a 2 day old set and you lose a tire; you don't buy 4 new ones then.

Isn't their some measurement to go by?

HawkScot · March 28, 2011

There is alot of information out there on this... (I googled "matching tires AWD")

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/tec...e.jsp?techid=18

steiny93 · March 29, 2011

went to a dealer

per the tech i talked to

on the awd system of the denali they recommend that the circumference of the tires be within 1 inch (measured with the tire mounted but not on the truck)

tread remaining doesn't matter; circumference is the key

HawkScot · March 29, 2011

If you have tires of the same brand, same style, same size, the tread depth is what the determining factor is. Remember to have the proper air pressure (equal in all 4 tires) when you take this measurement.

Glad you got your answer.

steiny93 · March 30, 2011

per the tech;

they have seen 4 same model/brand/size everything tires with similar tread depth having different circumferences and causing serious issues with the auto 4x4 systems

he was very adament in measuring the circumference and not worrying about the tread depth

you are correct regarding the psi; that will matter

in my scenario he also recommended playing with the psi (a bit) say 5psi higher on the 3 and 5 psi lower on the new one to get the circumference as close at possible

i also found out that tirerack will shave tires for an added cost

Superperv23 · March 30, 2011

Over inflating three tires and under inflating one is about the dumbest idea I have heard in a while

ChevyTech77 · March 30, 2011

went to a dealer

per the tech i talked to

on the awd system of the denali they recommend that the circumference of the tires be within 1 inch (measured with the tire mounted but not on the truck)

tread remaining doesn't matter; circumference is the key

Sorry, seen issues with them that far apart.

per the tech;
they have seen 4 same model/brand/size everything tires with similar tread depth having different circumferences and causing serious issues with the auto 4x4 systems

he was very adament in measuring the circumference and not worrying about the tread depth

you are correct regarding the psi; that will matter

in my scenario he also recommended playing with the psi (a bit) say 5psi higher on the 3 and 5 psi lower on the new one to get the circumference as close at possible

i also found out that tirerack will shave tires for an added cost

That's gotta be one of the most asinine things I've ever heard. I would in no way use tire pressure to compensate for rotating circumference.

I guess if you can't afford to replace all four tires on a $60k suv then maybe you might think about getting an Acadia instead. Seriously, if you put one new tire on that truck with three worn out tires, you WILL have issues.

Stevens03 · March 30, 2011

I agree with Chevytech... Thats the most ridiculous thing I ever heard and the guy who told you that needs a new line of work. At the very least, get 2 new tires but for the love of god, don't go messing with tire pressures to try and get the same overall circumference.

Also, there's no reason you can't buy a good set of used tires. People are constantly swapping out factory brand new tires for bigger tires. You can pick those up for cheap.

steiny93 · March 30, 2011

went to a dealer

per the tech i talked to

on the awd system of the denali they recommend that the circumference of the tires be within 1 inch (measured with the tire mounted but not on the truck)

tread remaining doesn't matter; circumference is the key

Sorry, seen issues with them that far apart.

So what is your magical measurement? That is what I've been asking for but all i get is tummy feelings.

per the tech;
they have seen 4 same model/brand/size everything tires with similar tread depth having different circumferences and causing serious issues with the auto 4x4 systems

he was very adament in measuring the circumference and not worrying about the tread depth

you are correct regarding the psi; that will matter

in my scenario he also recommended playing with the psi (a bit) say 5psi higher on the 3 and 5 psi lower on the new one to get the circumference as close at possible

i also found out that tirerack will shave tires for an added cost

That's gotta be one of the most asinine things I've ever heard. I would in no way use tire pressure to compensate for rotating circumference.

Why?

psi will absolutely affect circumference and circumference is what we are looking match, the recommendation isn't to over inflate 3 and under inflate 1 its to slightly adjust them. It isn't like 32psi is perfect but 37psi will cause immediate damage with lose of life had by all? Come on; if you measured all the denali's in a lot there would be WAAAAYYYY more then 5 psi difference between tires / trucks / etc.

I guess if you can't afford to replace all four tires on a $60k suv then maybe you might think about getting an Acadia instead. Seriously, if you put one new tire on that truck with three worn out tires, you WILL have issues.

i'm trying to define "worn out tires" as if someone would have bought 4 new tires on monday and wrecked one on tuesday you wouldn't be saying "buy 4"

I'm looking for facts / data on a common question but I only get opinons and very general statements like "That's gotta be one of the most asinine things I've ever heard."

by the way,

You add an incredible amount of crediblity to your opinions when you include a jab regarding what I can or can't afford. Perhaps this is how you get to be able to spend $60k on the wifes truck, or perhaps I'm someone who was just impacted by the poor economy, or perhaps I'm a millionaire who has a bunch of time on his hands. The point is you don't know nor does it matter, I've posted a legitimate question and exspected a civil response, if you can't provide the later why bother?