Car Parts Faqs

The side of my tire is damaged, but still drivable. Should I replace all my tires?

A piece of the tire is raised (like a flap), as if I scraped or rubbed it against the curb. It's not leaking or flat. My car is still drivable, but I'm scared that it may shread. Should I replace all tires, or just that one?

Public Comments

1. if you are going to replace one you should replace them all, or at least two, the ones across from each other
2. Just that one... sometimes stuff just happens... its a waste of money to get them all done though unless your tred is low
3. Take a look at the tread on all of your tires, if they are just as worn as the one that got damaged, then yes, it's a good idea to take care of it and not have to worry about the others causing you problems as well.
4. Depends on the condition of all your tires. If that one tire is the only bad one, I would replace that one ASAP, that tire is called a Road Hazard, because it can blowout at anytime, and is very unsafe to drive on, even if it's holding air. If you have extreme wear on the opposite tire (across) and a new tire across, with about 20k miles, you might wear more on your differtial, if the new tire is on the drive wheel. If you put a different size tire on it, I have seen the differtial go out in less than 2k miles.
5. if the tires are new just one, if there some wear replace 2 worst and rotate them to front.
6. if they are all getting bad then replace them is the other 3 are in good condition then just replace the one
7. replace that tire, inspect the others, if they have the same problem, replace them too.
8. just replace that one, preferably with the same type of tire, unless your other tires are worn considerably more than that. If they are worn and nearly due for replacement, go ahead and do it now.
9. If its on the tread dont worry about it. That can be fixed for cheap. If its on the side it will have to be replaced. You dont have to replace all four of the tires, but its a good idea...
10. It depends greatly on how many miles you have on your tires. You might also check and see if you have a warranty that covers stuff like that. Technically, if the tire is still holding air, and the damage isn't too severe, then it doesn't really matter. Worst case, just change out that tire (unless they rest of them are getting worn out too). I actually have a tendency to change two at a time - since my car is a front wheel drive, I will change the front two, and have them move the ones from the front to the back. That way the front ones (much more important) are always new.
11. why would you replace all of them....do all of them need replacing? If not just replace the one that needs changing and from what you just wrote, it sounds like that tire is fine and driving fine. I'd have a shop or some friends take a look at the tire, but change it if it makes you feel better.
12. While tire blow outs are rare, it is not impossible. For the sake of safety, swap them out. Good Luck...
13. it's likely that where it is damaged you will end up having a blowout. As to whether or not to replace all your tires, it depends on how worn they are. The last time I needed one replaced, the others were still at 85% so I replaced one other one and just had them rotated so that the two new ones were on the back end since it is a rear wheel drive.
14. As long as you're buying from me, I say replace them all! I only accept cash though. lol seriously you only need to replace the one if that. take them to get checked by someone who doesn't sell tires.
15. Just replace the damaged tire. You do take a chance of it coming apart on the highway if you keep driving with it. If the other tire on the same axle is worn considerably then you should also replace that tire. The tires on the other axle are not effected by a bad tire on a different axle. Just make sure that if you only replace the bad tire, that you get it replaced with a tire that match the tire on the other side.
16. Go to a reputable tire store and have them take a look at it. It may be able to be repaired, or it may have more useful life to it. If it's on the side, that's not as critical as if it were on the driving surface. If you do end up replacing the tire, it's often better to buy two tires so that you are replaced either the front or the back tires together. Get the tire store to rotate the tires and place the newest tires on the rear for a rear wheel drive car & on the front for a front wheel drive car (I think that's right--somebody correct me if I'm backwards on that). By rotating them, it helps to even out the tread so that you get more life out of them. Unless the other tires are worn out too, there is no need to buy all four new ones.
17. you should replace that one tire, most importantly, and if you want to make sure, you can replace all of them. its ok to be on the safe side
18. if your tires are nearly new, replace just the one, if it is 1/2 the life then replace them in a pair, placing the new pair on the rear...to avoid a spin out on wet surfaces...
19. Could blow up anytime. Hope its not a front tire though. Ideally, tire changes should be done in pairs. You would find out that most front wheel drive cars would wear out their front tires faster than a rear wheel drive because of all the steering, braking and accelerating it had to perform. Don't waste time in replacing it right away. Your safety and the others around you is of utmost importance. Good Luck.
20. you should just change the tyre with the damaged side.
21. Just replace the damaged tire. Could keep for emergency spare if needed.