commander-data

Is it okay to have 4/32" tread depth difference between left & right rear tires?

I have Bridgestone RE-050s on all wheels. I had to replace the right rear tire because of damage. The new tire has 10/32" tread depth and older left rear has 6/32". Should I have replaced the left tire as well? Would I be damaging my diff by driving like this? I talked to my local Honda service dept. and they old me this difference is too small to be a problem. Is that correct?

Thanks,

Baskaran

dc2-2-ap1

I would replace the other side.. That is pretty much half of the tread. Keep the good tire just incase you run over a nail or something down the road.

commander-data

I will stop by Costco and order one this evening. Thanks for the advice.

Jim@tirerack

Most people will replace a tire around 3 to 4 32nds. I would have replaced both as well.

commander-data

Jim,

I am not sure if you misread my original post. I have 10/32" on the right (new with 1000 miles on it) and 6/32" on the left (old with 13000 miles on it). The difference is 4/32". I was wondering if this difference is going to hurt my car (mechanically).

Thanks,

Baskaran

NFR_AP2

Yeah get a new one for the other side as well so it's even. Then keep the 6/32 tire as an emergency spare.

RedCelica

I agree...replace it.

GrandMasterKhan

Absolutely replace it. ESPECIALLY if it is in the rear. The LSD in the rear may dislike the difference in tire size and you could burn it up over time.

s2kreeper

Exactly. A difference that big will cause unintended wear and strain on the LSD due to tires rotating at different speeds.

mister x

If my math is correct, we're talking about a difference in rolling radius of ~1.1%, is that significant? Tire and/or differential gurus please educate me.

Calculations: 4/32" = .125", 245/40-17 rolling radius = ~11.5", .125"/11.5" = ~1.09%