[George3]

My front driver side tire (Bridgestone Potenza) encountered a nail and was declared unsafe by the Big O technician. I have a good set of winter tires and brought two of them to Big O for install while they receive two Bridgestone Potenzas they ordered for permanent replacement.
The Big O technicians did not agree on whether they should temporarily replace just one tire or two with the winter tires. They ended up replacing just the bad one. My general mechanic thinks they should replace both front tires.
I will have some curvy mountain roads and a longish freeway trip to manage until the tires get replaced. What do you think, one, two, or four?

 

[joeaax1j]

Technically, the answer is always, a minimum of two. Others on here might disagree, but if you do some searching on-line, you will find that the consensus seems to rest on always replacing at least two.

 

[Ecky]

My vote is two, due to the differential - diameter will be different with older and newer tires. Conventional wisdom is to put new tires on the rear, but I'd put them in the front since the fronts wear a lot more quickly in our cars.

 

[George3]

Thanks!

Back to Big O!

 

[Rainsux]

I always buy four, because that is the only way to get the rebate. Then I keep the best old ones so I'll have one if I have a situation like yours.

Personally I would have found a little local tire shop who was willing to patch the nail hole to use temporarily, or even for the life of the tire if it held. The last one I did like this lasted until the tread wore out.

Sam

 

[Willie Williford]

I agree with Sam on the puncture repair. If it is NOT on the sidewall of the tire, it can be patched properly.
"Discount Tires" puts in a "plug" in the puncture hole, and then puts a "patch" on the inside of the tire at the puncture location.
HTH
Willie

 

[KillerInsideMe]

I have plug kits at home - more modern philosophy is against plugs all together but I've even autocrossed a WRX on a plugged tire and have never had an issue with them.
DIY - cheap and effective......

Assuming the hole is not too close to the sidewall - needs to be in the good tread - steel belts.....

 

[Willie Williford]

I prefer the "Mushroom" type plugs over the "String" type plugs.

HTH
Willie

 

[atikovi]

I agree with Sam on the puncture repair. If it is NOT on the sidewall of the tire, it can be patched properly.

Another possibility is to put a tube in the tire if it can't be patched. I've done that on two other vehicles and I haven't had to add air in over 3 years.

 

[boojum]

Another possibility is to put a tube in the tire if it can't be patched. I've done that on two other vehicles and I haven't had to add air in over 3 years.

I've heard this in a couple of responsible tire shops, and from my mechanic: https://www.wheels.ca/news/installing-inner-tube-in-tubeless-radial-is-a-dangerous-move/

 

[George3]

Technician said tire was beyond repair

Due to having been driven on while flat, sidewalls were beat up.