Hello all,

Random question that I couldn't find via the search function (at least on my phone). I was on my way back from holiday and both driver side tires blew out in a construction zone in Indiana.

I put on 4 brand new 225/45r17 Continental Extreme Contact DWS tires about 8k miles ago. I know you really shouldn't run a significant change in diameter due to diff stress, but do you all fell I would be safe replacing just the two tires? If so, where should I have them placed, the front? Does anyone know Jag toleration specs on xx/32 differentiation between the tires?

Or, do I need to bite the bullet and buy all 4 tires?

Thanks for any feedback. At a hotel now waiting for a tire shop to open. Oh, and the front blowout damaged the inner fender well metal and pulled it into the well. I hope the fender can be rolled easily.

 

Put the 2 remaining ones on front and 2 new ones on rear shouldnt cause a problem

Shame about the inner well damage!!

 

Put the 2 remaining ones on front and 2 new ones on rear shouldnt cause a problem

Shame about the inner well damage!!

 

91Stealthies, like the others said, the new ones on the rear, old ones on the front.

As for "allowable differences", I don't think you are going to find a hard set number out there. Now, I will tell you that I ran for 20 miles with three 235/45R17 tires and a single tire that was a 225/45R17 (this tire was my spare). The car didn't seem to be affected. Now, would I say to run this way permanently? Never. But, the car does seem to be able to absorb a fair amount of difference. Where it might be more restrictive is if your car has DSC. The wheel size like I did might be enough to cause the system to engage and lead to driving issues (my car was not equipped with DSC). At a minimum it will cause the system to engage earlier in most cases.

 

Thank you everyone. The two new DWS tires will be going on the rear. The shop said that the tires had very minimal wear, but I'm going to have them give me a reading on all 4 once it's complete.

I'll report back on the reading and any driving change.

 

Adding photos of blowouts and fender well damage.

 

Car seemed to drive fine with the new tires on the rear. All 4 tires that were on the car read 9/32nd. The new tires come at 10/32nd, so I don't think there is a problem.

My concern is that it seems the design of the DWS has changed. My tires were 2014 DOT and are DWS Tuned, where the new tires are 2015 DOT and are DWS 06. Granted, the tread pattern and sidewall are not that different, but I still wonder if it would have any effect on the vehicles handling. Check out the photos attached.

 

The one on the left looks much wider in the picture, may be an illusion though. I wouldn't sweat the difference too much. There likely is a slight difference in the compound as tire manufactures update and rename tires every few years, but it is unlikely you will notice a significant difference. Try to see if the UTQG rating is the same for wear and other specs. This could be different as well as speed rating.