2007 Nissan Murano SL AWD
50,000 Miles
Automatic Transmission
My mother had to get her front tires replaced in order to pass an NC state inspection. The back tires have a lot of life left in them but the front tires needed to be replaced since they are extremely worn. Since they did not have the same Goodyear Eagle tires that are on the back, the replaced the front tires with a different brand that had the closest possible tread pattern etc. and said that it should be fine. My mom mostly just drives short trips less than 10 miles in stop and go city traffic and plans to sell the vehicle pretty soon, how bad is this situation?
What I mean by "how bad" is this: the only difference between the tires in the back and in the front are brand and slight tread pattern. Everything else is the same so they are not exactly different.
They tires are different enough in diameter and circumference to cause problems. Over time you're going to burn out your center differential if front and back tires are different as it constantly works to deal with the tires turning at different rates.
Keeping 4 identical tires is part of the price of having an AWD vehicle where that feature can't be switched off.
Thank you for your response, I let my mom know that she needs to have her back tires replaced to the same exact ones in the front. Thank you very much for explaining further, it makes a lot more sense now.
Do it soon before the new tires wear to the point where they'll be different than a new pair in the back!
I am amazed (although I can’t blame them as I was one of them!) how so many people shopping for AWD don’t know about using the same exact tire and condition on all 4 corners.
If the AWD can be switched off (like on my old AMC Eagles with "Select Drive") you can get away with tires in axle pairs if you only use the AWD under slippery conditions. Ditto for my '99 Cherokee which has a part-time transfer case. Modern AWD cars though just about all seem to have the AWD permanently engaged so you need 4 identical tires.
We're going tomorrow actually! Thanks again for the explanation, I really do appreciate it and hope you have a good day.
what does the owner's manual say?
The owner manual says "Always use tires of the same type, size, brand, construction (bias, bias-belted or radial), and tread pattern on all four wheels. Failure to do so may result in a circumference difference between tires on the front and rear axles which will cause excessive tire wear and may dam-age the transmission, transfer case and differential gears."
I know the situation is bad because it calls for all 4 tires to be the exactly same. But what I'm trying to figure out is how serious the situation is since the tires are pretty much the same except for brand and slight tread pattern. It's still the same size, type, and construction so would that change how bad the situation is?
They spelled out the answer for you very clearly: "will cause excessive tire wear and may damage the transmission, transfer case and differential gears."
What do you mean "how bad"?
Look up the price of replacing the transmission, transfer case and differential gears. That's how bad.
Thanks for the response. What I mean by "how bad" is this: the only difference between the tires in the back and in the front are brand and slight tread pattern. Everything else is the same so they are not exactly different. I don't know if that makes a difference because according to the manual, they list several parameters that have to be met (type, size, brand, construction, and tread pattern). Most of those parameters are met besides brand and slightly different tread pattern, so I am asking does that affect the outcome at all or does that not matter and am I screwed?
Quite simply if you're not sure, then why risk making a very expensive mistake? There's no guarantee that sizes between brands are going to be consistent. Not to mention wall thickness, rolling resistance, etc.
Same tires means same tires. Not similar. The tire place just didn't want you to leave without selling you something, and they should know better.
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If you want a scientific answer, then you'll have to use a measuring gauge to determine the difference in diameter, and account for deflection, air pressure and temperature, and wear over time. Personally I would keep it simple.
That's a good point, better safe than sorry. I convinced my mom to replace her back ones to the same as the front since it's not worth the risk of putting strain on an already old system. Thank you for the response and explanation!