CrazyCabbie

I know this has been discussed somewhat before, but I can not find any consensus (which might in itself prove that there is no right answer). In mid-May (about 4k miles ago), I put on a new set of rims with Potenza RE050A Pole Positions. Yesterday I hit something (I still don't know what) and blew out one tire.

I called my Audi Service center and they told me it was "probably ok" to just switch out the one tire because they were fairly new. I called Discount Tire and they told me that I HAD to switch out all 4 tires or else destroy my AWD system.

Who is right? Any suggestions on what I should do?

dv/dt

I would like to know the answer to this one as well. If tire diameter is that important on an AWD car, and from everything I've read it is, why have a spare? If the diameter of the spare isn't the same as the diameter of the other four tires, how long would it take to damage the AWD system?

Reggie

4/32"<ul><li><a href="http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AR4&url=%2Ftires%2Ftiretech%2Ftechpage.jsp %3Ftechid%3D18">Link</a></li></ul>

CrazyCabbie

Very helpful, thanks!

allroad'Ed now

I think the 4/32 is too much. What's cheaper- paying the extra $$ to shave one tire or just mounting a full tread tire and ending up with drivetrain/ ABS/ ESP problems?