Jeep Wrangler Forum banner

New tire rotated in with old - question

3K views 28 replies 15 participants last post by  HK_Runner 
#1 ·
Bought a used set of 5 tires on wheels yesterday - screamin' deal. The spare was not rotated with the others and is new - 18/32 of tread. The other four are at 12/32 of tread depth - I'll say about 1/2 worn. I typically do a 5 tire rotation but don't think I can start now with this set.

What do you all think?
 
#5 ·
Agreed. Wait until your other 4 tires wear out. Then buy 4 new ones and start a 5 tire rotation with the spare, as long as they are the same size. Uneven tire tread can wreak havoc on a 4WD system and cause a lot more damage down the road.
 
#7 ·
Rotate it in. Next 4 rotations keep the spare on the road. Otherwise you will end up with full tread / zero miles on it with rotten rubber. Rotating in the spare extends your tread life 25% or reduces tire expense 25%.

The difference in tire height is only a third on an inch. Its not like you are mixing 33s and 35s.
 
#8 ·
I agree with this school of thought...not saying I am "right" but I don't understand how it would "hurt" to mix it in......especially if you are talking over a period of time for the wear.....basically rotate the " other four" around this one.....they all get a turn on the tire carrier and the NEW one does not....IMO in about a year or so tread will probably close to the same for all of them.... GOOD LUCK!!
 
#10 ·
Thanks for the replies. I think I'll keep it as a spare for now and maybe rotate it in when these four are shot.
 
#11 ·
Best to consult a reputable tire shop... or two.

And let us know what they say.

Alto I if they say a tire diameter less than 1% different than the other 3 will confuse the electronics they just confirmed the auto industry is crazy stupid. And I will continue to buy older, never newer Jeeps.
 
#12 ·
So I did it. I went to my trusted KalTire Dealer and
NO you cannot rotate in a tire if the tread difference is more than 3/32s.
Stupid Crazy the auto industry is.

That is if your Jeep has all that new technology.... Traction Control, Vehicle Stability, etc....

The old style, viscous coupling Limited Slip Differentials are not affected.
But if it is all computer controlled. And you waste 1 tire... Get ready to buy a full set.
 
#13 ·
Thanks for saving me the effort of visiting some shops billiebob. I kind of figured that is what they would say. Definitely not worth the gamble to me.

I owe you a beer or two!:beerdrinking:
Terry
 
#15 ·
Edited. Had an off topic question and felt like I hijacked the thread. Made a new thread instead.
 
#16 ·
Good call- don't do it. I have 15/32 and my spare at 18/32- can't rotate it in now. Thinking of selling this set of MTRs and getting a new set so will make sure I do 5-tire rotations this next time around.
 
#27 ·
I don't think anyone does that here. The one old-style tire shop that did that in Boulder- they shut down.
 
#28 ·
After some checking around I found a place in Denver that will shave (they called it buffing) the spare down. Won't even charge me other than to take the tire off the wheel - $20. Going to go check it out this Friday PM. I'm a little nervous about it - don't want them to trash the tire!

Still toying with HK Runners thought of just selling the 4 tires and putting that cash toward new units. That would be optimal.
 
#29 ·
TDUFF: Very cool and good find! Could you let me know which place this is? A place that know how to shave tires is actually quite useful. I have heard that tire shaving can even bring tires into balance. I have not done this but I suppose if the tread is a bit uneven, it will do that by shaving more of the higher parts, less of the lower parts, and making it more round.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top