# Tire replacement for car with AWD **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [July 17, 2015, 4:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-replacement-for-car-with-awd/90631 "2015-07-17T16:34:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stanzie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@Stanzie](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Stanzie)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 4:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-replacement-for-car-with-awd/90631/1 "2015-07-17T16:34:55Z")
I have a Nissan Pathfinder with AWD and before that a Murano with AWD, when the tires started to need replacement, I was told I had to replace all 4 at once otherwise I would ruin the transfer case or worse yet the CVT. I rotate my tires when required, but for budgetary reasons want to only replace one pair at a time. Is this really true? ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 4:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-replacement-for-car-with-awd/90631/2 "2015-07-17T16:40:13Z")
You will likely get somewhat differing opinions on this issue, but what any of us in this forum might say is not important. The only opinion that really matters is the information provided by the folks who designed and manufactured your vehicle. I suggest that you take a look at what the _Owner’s Manual_ states regarding this issue. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 4:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-replacement-for-car-with-awd/90631/3 "2015-07-17T16:55:35Z")
Transfer case repair or CVT repair compared to price of 4 tires. Why take the chance? ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 5:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-replacement-for-car-with-awd/90631/4 "2015-07-17T17:08:29Z")
In slippery conditions, your car will handle most predictably if all tires have the same traction, so there’s also a minor safety issue here too. If you are able to replace one pair without damage, make sure the new tires go in back, also for safety reasons. Most tire shops these days will enforce that, but it’s worth mentioning here anyway. ---
**Author:** ![BillRussell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/billrussell/32/3179_2.png) [@BillRussell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BillRussell)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 5:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-replacement-for-car-with-awd/90631/5 "2015-07-17T17:24:53Z")
You should replace all 4 tires or risk expensive damage to the differentials. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 5:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-replacement-for-car-with-awd/90631/6 "2015-07-17T17:26:53Z")
If you’ve been rotating the tires, then even the best 2 are close to the end, right? And if the best 2 are pretty worn, you definitely could damage the AWD system. I’d replace all 4. ---
**Author:** ![andrewRA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e5b9ba/32.png) [@andrewRA](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrewRA)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 6:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-replacement-for-car-with-awd/90631/7 "2015-07-17T18:07:31Z")
Generic answer is replace all four. However Nissan specific answer ask on a vehicle specific forum or Nissan themselves. Answer varies between makes and even models within. Subaru automatic replace while others more liberal as awd engages part time not full time like Audi and subaru. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 6:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-replacement-for-car-with-awd/90631/8 "2015-07-17T18:26:03Z")
Some AWD systems are very sensitive to different tire sizes. It should be spelled out clearly in your owners manual. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 6:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-replacement-for-car-with-awd/90631/9 "2015-07-17T18:42:48Z")
The only way I would trust an ‘it’s ok to replace 2’ answer is if it came directly from Nissan, in the owner’s manual or some other company source. And part-time AWD engages when there’s a difference in tire speed, something guaranteed with different-sized tires, so it could be a problem. ---
**Author:** ![CapriRacer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/capriracer/32/22_2.png) [@CapriRacer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/CapriRacer)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2015, 4:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-replacement-for-car-with-awd/90631/10 "2015-07-18T16:32:52Z")
Just an FYI: When it comes to AWD, some vehicle manufacturers put tire replacement notes in their owners manuals and some don’t - AND WORSE - some don’t put in notes that should. I truly do not understand this, but it seen enough owners manuals to conclude that this is an area frequently neglected by vehicle manufacturers. Updates and factually correct information don’t seem to find their way into owners manuals on a timely basis. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2015, 4:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-replacement-for-car-with-awd/90631/11 "2015-07-18T16:56:02Z")
At least Nissan’s customer service telephone number should be in the owner’s manual. @Stanzie, you might also look at their site on line and see if you can email or chat with a Nissan representative. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2015, 7:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-replacement-for-car-with-awd/90631/12 "2015-07-19T07:13:54Z")
I strongly agree with those saying to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation, which is likely in your owners’ manual. The manufacturer knows your vehicle’s needs better than anybody else on the planet… including us.