When To Replace Tires?

[aquinto]

It is time to replace my rear tires (295/30/R18) on my 2004 996 TT.

The tire tech says that I have 50% tread left on my front tires and the all 4 tires should be replaced on an AWD car when there is a significant difference in tread depth between the front and rear tires.

I've done a search and did not come across this topic/issue.

Is it necessary for me to replace my front tires also?

[jpflip]

I replace the rear tires twice before the front ones. Rears wear out a lot faster. Stay with the same brand front and rear and you should be ok. I am not encouraging the mix of tire types but my front ones are Bridgestone Potanza s02 and the rear ones are Kumho Ecsta and even at high speed got no problem. But try to stay with the same type on all four...

[therock88]

+1 No need to replace all 4. I typically go 2 for 1 replacements of rear to front. As indicated...optimal is to stay with same tire, but as long as the tire characteristics are the same you are fine, even if

the brand/style/type are not exact

DC

[pierre]

+1/2. ;)

No need te replace all four tyres, but I'd really stick to the very same model on all four corners.

[Bostonduce]

Like Pierre said, verify the replacement tires have the same diameter as the originals.

It may be not enough just to match manufacturer.

Even within the same manufacturer, different tire model's can be different diameters for the "same" 295/30 R18 listed size.

BD

Edited March 26, 2010 by Bostonduce

[timf]

I agree with the others - plus it maybe time to find a new tire shop as the tech clearly doesn't understand Porsche :-)

BTW I'm in San Diego as well - if you're a member of the Porsche club you can get a 10% discount at a certain discount tire shop, maybe you're aware of this already ?

Edited March 27, 2010 by timf

[aquinto]

I agree with the others - plus it maybe time to find a new tire shop as the tech clearly doesn't understand Porsche :-)

BTW I'm in San Diego as well - if you're a member of the Porsche club you can get a 10% discount at a certain discount tire shop, maybe you're aware of this already ?

I am not a member of the Porsche club and am unaware of the 10% discount at a certain discount tire shop. I'd be interested in the Porsche club. I just got my (new to me) 2004 996 Turbo Cab last year. Still learning much about Porsches.

[timf]

Your PCA membership would more than pay for itself with your 1st tire purchase ! There's a particular "Discount Tire Store" on Genesee Ave which is very popular with the local Porsche owners and Jerry the manager will accommodate you if he knows you're a club member.

Congratulations on your new purchase and don't be intimidated by the complexity of the engine bay etc - most routine maintenance is easily performed at home with just basic tools, plus there's a number of excellent DIY guides on this site and some very knowledgeable members.

Have fun.

Tim

I agree with the others - plus it maybe time to find a new tire shop as the tech clearly doesn't understand Porsche :-)

BTW I'm in San Diego as well - if you're a member of the Porsche club you can get a 10% discount at a certain discount tire shop, maybe you're aware of this already ?

I am not a member of the Porsche club and am unaware of the 10% discount at a certain discount tire shop. I'd be interested in the Porsche club. I just got my (new to me) 2004 996 Turbo Cab last year. Still learning much about Porsches.

[70Sixter]

Always check TireRack and Discount Tire online as baseline for pricing. My Porsche serving dealer matches TireRack prices w/o the shipping cost, but with sales tax (7.75) in NC. The service writer assumed correctly that I had TR prices in my hip pocket. 4 Day Tire still there in Socal? They were great in my Socal days. I even tried to get franchise.