Need some help from the BAIC Folks with Ins. Co.
#1
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Need some help from the BAIC Folks with Ins. Co.
Hi,
I need to ask a favor. As many of you saw the pictures of, I was involved in a pretty reasonable accident in which a red light runner hit me. The repairs have begun, and I have begun discussing some of the intracacies of AWD cars with the Insurance Co.
I have Falken ST115's 245/45/17 on all 4 wheels, with about 30%-40% tread left. The ST115 is discontinued. The body shop has determined the need to replace the tire that was directly struck. This is the question that I pose to the experts here so that i can show this thread to the Ins. Co. (so no swearing!):
1) Is it safe and good for my car (a 2005 Subaru WRX Sedan) to have 3x 30% tread ST115's and a 100% tread tire on the 4th wheel?
2) Is it safe and good for my car to have a totally different tire tread pattern on 1 wheel compared to the others?
Just a response of 'Yup, its fine' or 'No, its not' is fine. If you are a Subaru expert or shop owner, please include that along with how much experience with AWD Subaru's you have.
I do intend to provide a copy of this thread to the Ins. Co., so please try to keep the discussion and name calling to a minimum. I appreciate your help!
--Matt
I need to ask a favor. As many of you saw the pictures of, I was involved in a pretty reasonable accident in which a red light runner hit me. The repairs have begun, and I have begun discussing some of the intracacies of AWD cars with the Insurance Co.
I have Falken ST115's 245/45/17 on all 4 wheels, with about 30%-40% tread left. The ST115 is discontinued. The body shop has determined the need to replace the tire that was directly struck. This is the question that I pose to the experts here so that i can show this thread to the Ins. Co. (so no swearing!):
1) Is it safe and good for my car (a 2005 Subaru WRX Sedan) to have 3x 30% tread ST115's and a 100% tread tire on the 4th wheel?
2) Is it safe and good for my car to have a totally different tire tread pattern on 1 wheel compared to the others?
Just a response of 'Yup, its fine' or 'No, its not' is fine. If you are a Subaru expert or shop owner, please include that along with how much experience with AWD Subaru's you have.
I do intend to provide a copy of this thread to the Ins. Co., so please try to keep the discussion and name calling to a minimum. I appreciate your help!
--Matt
Last edited by mcowger; 01-24-2007 at 12:09 PM.
#5
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No it's not fine. According to the Subaru owner's manual, tire tread must be within 2/32nds on all 4 tires. I.E., the minimum could be 3/32nds and the maximum could be 5/32nds. If you have a 10/32nds (new) tire on one corner and 3/32nds tires on other corners, you will break drivetrain components.
Also, having a different tread pattern on one corner causes the car to have different amounts of traction on different sides/ends. This could make the car unstable in the rain making it difficult and unsafe to control.
Also, having a different tread pattern on one corner causes the car to have different amounts of traction on different sides/ends. This could make the car unstable in the rain making it difficult and unsafe to control.
#8
<-------former Subaru service advisor (2003-04)
There are only two options:
1) Have the tread depth of the new tire shaved-down to meet the tread depth of the other three tires.
2) Have all four tires replaced.
There are only two options:
1) Have the tread depth of the new tire shaved-down to meet the tread depth of the other three tires.
2) Have all four tires replaced.
#9
Hurray, it's Ian!!
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one of my tires got slashed and at the time i could only replace one tire. they were about 30% tread left.
granted i only drove 1000 miles on the new tire, the car felt crappy and i had to fight my steering wheel a lot.
it's not ok to just replace one.
granted i only drove 1000 miles on the new tire, the car felt crappy and i had to fight my steering wheel a lot.
it's not ok to just replace one.
#10
Direct from the Tire Rack website: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=18
#14
Uhhhh, I wouldn't show them this thread. They will try to go cheap on you, buy a single tire, and shave it down 50%...
Just show them that link from Tire Rack, and the operator manual.
Just show them that link from Tire Rack, and the operator manual.
#15
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Different tire brands/models with the same size rating (i.e. 225/50/16) may, and most likely will, still have different dimensions in both overall outside diameter and contact patch width. This can be confirmed by looking at the tire specs at a website such as www.TireRack.com. It is not okay to have one tire of a different make/model, shaved or otherwise, installed on any constant AWD vehicle.
-Chris
-Chris