When should I buy new tires?

[Black4runner]

After 45k miles, I decided to replace my tires. I had to replace all 4 on another vehicle at the same time so I could only afford to replace 2 tires on my 2wd SR5. That was 1100 miles ago. I am about to make a 28 hour round trip drive up north. I am worried that I might hit some snow. Financially I would rather hold off on replacing the last 2 tires on the 4runner. They are about 90% worn.

So is it bad to have say 5k miles before getting the other 2 tires?

I want them to wear pretty evenly overall.

 

[V8Limited4wd]

no it isn't get the old tires replaced soon.

 

[TBoliv]

no it isn't get the old tires replaced soon.

At this point, if the other 2 are 90% worn and you're looking at the possibility of a long drive in bad weather, replace the tires. Financially, what's worse, a few hundred for a couple tires, or a few thousand to repair or replace your Runner after you lose control and crash it? Yeah, I know, a little dramatic, but think about it.

Worst case scenario, make sure your new tires are in the back and the older worn ones in the front.

 

[KB084RUNNER]

Check Tire Rack...I just bought a set of new Michelins they had on special for $142 each and a $70 gift card.

 

[Merle]

When should you buy new tires?

It depends.

I've driven cars down to the threads ("WTF is that noise? Oh it's the threads knocking around the wheel well, guess it's time to get it changed") and have changed tires when there was a little more before even hitting the wear bar.

If you do highway miles, don't speed and don't have extreme heat, you can push the tires until they literally disintegrate at the tread. However, if you drive in snowy and extreme conditions where you need traction, the tread is what is giving you that traction.

When I was poorer, I would buy only 1-2 tires at a time because my fronts versus rear versus whatever would wear out and I'd be better off financially doing it that way: Change only the 1-2 tires that needed it.

But in snow country, I wouldn't take the chance. It's just not worth the risk.

All the time I see people (4WDs, new w/dealer stickers, monster trucks) stuck or spun out on the road (what can I say, I like driving in craptastic weather and helping people out). 8/10 times, it's the driver. Equipment will give you a much larger margin for error - especially when the idiot in front or behind you can't figure out how fast to go for conditions.