Differing tread depths on tires (1 Viewer)

[GOHOGS]

Hi All. I own a 16 LX570, with the dreaded 21 inch Dunlop’s. I’ve got 22k miles and will need tires in a few thousand miles. When trading in my previous LX, I assumed I’d have a similar range of tire options in the 21s. I obviously was wrong. :-/

Long story short, I fell ass backward into 3 take offs for a small fraction of the $450+ per tire cost of new tires. Theyre unrepaired, in great shape, and depths are as follows: 8/32, 9.5/32, 9.5/32. (I’ll buy 1 more new at 10/32.)

My question is that while the manual only says not to mix tread depths with “remarkable” differences in depth (not helpful), do you all feel there is any risk on strain to the driveline with the differences in tread depth? I’d likely do a 9.5/32 and 10/32 on one axle, and a 9.5/32 and 8/32 on another axle, and then rotate every 5k as usual after that.

If no drivetrain risk, I’ll save about $1400 by taking the lightly used takeoffs and buying one new. However, if I’m truly risking an issue, it’s not worth the savings.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

 

[luke27617]

SHouldn't be a problem. On another Lexus of mine we had nail that was not repairable and discount tire replaced tire with the damage certificate protection I had. I have asked exactly the same question (if need to replace two to make them match). They said no problems as difference is small. Normally it is more about traction (example braking when big difference may impact stability )

 

[GOHOGS]

SHouldn't be a problem. On another Lexus of mine we had nail that was not repairable and discount tire replaced tire with the damage certificate protection I had. I have asked exactly the same question (if need to replace two to make them match). They said no problems as difference is small. Normally it is more about traction (example braking when big difference may impact stability )

Thanks for the feedback. Just curious, was your Lexus also AWD? Also, do you know the difference in the tread depth in that situation? I think there’s more leeway generally speaking if not AWD. Thx again for the feedback.

 

[TioChachie]

I think that you will be fine with that small difference in tread depth. If 1/16 of an inch could destroy the lexus/toyota standard of reliability then the engineers got it wrong.

Maybe keep the deepest tread on the front for a few tire rotations and the most shallow on the rear and that might even things up.

 

[GOHOGS]

I think that you will be fine with that small difference in tread depth. If 1/16 of an inch could destroy the lexus/toyota standard of reliability then the engineers got it wrong.

Maybe keep the deepest tread on the front for a few tire rotations and the most shallow on the rear and that might even things up.

Thanks for the feedback. You read my mind with what you said. I just wanted some additional opinion in the event I was truly incorrect. Not a bad call on keeping the deepest tread up front for a time to accelerate evening out the 4 wheels... Thx.