UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hi guys,
My Blue GT has just done 11,000 miles and I've noticed a bulge in one of the front tyres, obviously I'm going to get a new tyre, but should I just change the 1 or both fronts? The tread on both is really good so it seems a shame to change both. Any recomendations?

Thanks.

There should not be any real problems if you only replace one front tyre, or if you have storage space, replace both and keep the half used one as a spare?

yep no issues replacing just 1, it's 4wd vehicles that need tyres changing in pairs/ full sets

Some years ago one of the motor magazines carried out tests in respect of tyre replacement. They found that there were measurable disadvantages in replacement of just one front tyre causing handling imbalance and a diminution in road feel. I think the operative word is measurable, perhaps you can measure it but does it matter?

If the remaining tyre has lots of tread the difference would be minimal, if it was old, hard and balding you'd certainly notice a difference. Back in the day the recommended procedure would be to look at all four tyres and move the least worn to the front, that has now been discredited as has the practice of side to side swapping.

Is it okay to swap one tyre when the remaining tyre is young and fit? I'd say yes providing it's the same type of tyre in construction, compound and tread pattern.

Ask the tyre specialists, they'd say do it in pairs or all four. It's not as if they have a vested interest is it!

All this talk about old, hard and balding and young and fit is a bit weird, time to visit my analyst perhaps!

I'm finding my BGT on original fit Dumlops is incredibly light in respect of tyre wear, with its generally low running and insurance costs it is a nice surprise.

All sorted, I'm just replacing 1 with the exact same make of tyre that's damaged, Thanks for the advice.

My last set of new tyres cost much more than the set before, I blame it on inflation.

I'll get my coat...

Just put the one with the most tread on the front left.

Due to roundabouts (if in the uk) it will wear down slightly quicker (unless you have a penchant for taking left hand bends super fast)

I recently had a similar problem except I moved tyres from the front to the back and vice versa and at first I noticed it's road holding in a straight line wasn't as good as before but once I had a good track session on them they were back to normal probably because they had worn with the rear suspension and just needed wearing in being on the front.