There are more and more cars with all-wheel drive, usually referred to as 4WD. You are usually talking about off-road vehicles, but also increasingly about electric cars that have all wheels driven with a second engine. Do you have to replace all tires at the same time with a 4WD?
In a car that is driven on two wheels, the tires on the front axle are usually replaced at a different time than on the rear axle. After all, the driven tires wear out the fastest. On the front axle, the steering and braking forces are added if it is a front-wheel drive vehicle. That’s okay. However, in a four-wheel drive car, the circumference of the wheels must be (approximately) equal, otherwise forces can occur in the transmission. That is why you generally have to replace all tires at the same time with a 4WD.
Equal circumference tires important
The circumference of all tires must be the same for both cars that normally drive with two-wheel drive and where four-wheel drive can be engaged, as well as cars that have permanent all-wheel drive. If this is not the case, parts of the transmission may be damaged. After all, tensions can occur in the drivetrain if the circumference of the wheels differs. This would be the difference in circumference no more than 1.5% must amount to.
Advice: replace all tires at the same time with a 4WD
In the best situation you have the same tires front and rear, regardless of the type of 4WD. This means that the tires have the same size, are of the same type and that you respect the circumference of the tires.
Sometimes the front and rear tires have different sizes. Then it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. After all, a lot of attention was paid to the tires during the development of the cars. In the case of winter tires, this can sometimes cause a problem because the winter tires are not always available in the same sizes. In that case, it is better to purchase a separate set of wheels for the winter tires so that the front and rear axles also have the same size tires.
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Even wear front and rear
Especially if the four-wheel drive is not permanent, it is important to achieve even wear of the front and rear tires. You can do that by regularly rotating the tires between the front and rear axles.
Follow manufacturer’s instructions
You might think that with the modern viscose differentials on passenger cars, the margins are sufficiently absorbed. Yes, you can, but if there is a greater difference in the circumference of the wheels for a longer period of time (even if it is only one), the temperature in this technique will rise and cause expensive damage. That is why you must also replace all tires at the same time with the 4WD. Also bear in mind that the cost saved to replace two tires may not outweigh the risk of serious damage. This also applies to a flat tire, where you may only need to replace one tire. Even then, in principle, you have to replace all tires at the same time with a 4WD. That’s what you’ll usually find in the manufacturer’s instructions. Follow that and you’ll be safe in that regard.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl