Hey all...

Hoping for some advice. Just got my 2012 g37x a few weeks back. Had a RWD G35 previously so I am not privvy to the ins and outs of AWD.

Found a nail in my driver side rear tire. Unrepairable spot. Tires have 7/32 all around, they are almost new. Tire place said I should replace all 4 but I am inclined to think he is BSing me. Id like to replace only the back two since remaining tread is still good. Wanted to get some opinions? Tires on the vehicle are also discontinued so no hope in matching the set...

 

Wow, I learn something new every day.

Where is the un-repairable spot on the tire? The sidewall?

There is no reason I can think of that you can't use different tires on the front and rear as long as the final diameter is the same. Probably good idea to keep the same width too. Maybe having different weights might be an issue but I doubt it unless they were extremely different.

 

Correct - sidewall nail!

 

Yes, the sales rep is full of BS - replacing tires in pairs (fronts or rears) at a time is not a problem at all. Even though it's an X, your car is still rwd-biased, which is prone to chewing up the rear tires faster too so you can mix/match your sets if you want to (as long as they're in spec).

On a side note, people who track their cars try to stick to the same brand so that performance stays consistent front to back. But how many of us average 100+ mph on a daily basis?

 

Just replace two... The AWD has some play, the diameter doesn't have to be 100% equal, I think you can be off by 3%

 

I've been told this as well. Total BS Sales tactics, glad to hear you were wiser than most people who would have just broken out the checkbook and paid for all 4. You can definitely replace just the back two as long as they're in spec.

 

Here is what I would do all big box retailers will tell you that the nail is to close to the wall or inside of tire. I would find a local mom and pops shop and get them to fix it. I wouldn't spend a dime especially since you still have some good tread left on the tires. I'm from LA and we have these shops everywhere around town. I would stay always from big box retailers because they make their money like that. Just my advise don't have to take it.

 

i fixed a nail in tire on the sidewall side where sears said they wont repair. sometimes its a liability thing. so i fixed it myself no problem