simmer

Was driving down the highway last week when another motorist motioned I had a flat tire. Stopped to check and there was an inch and half hole near sidewall. My question is do I have to buy 4 new tires. Mechanic said mine are about 7/32s' used?? they are 255/18/45 Continental Pro contacts I purchased from Thomas D with 18 inch 5 spokes off of an 06. Any ideas. Can I purchase just one or does this do damage because of the quattro set up?? I have my winters on now...nokian wr's 17's.Thanks Eh!

2000 silver A8

Thomas D

That is a big hole!

Tire rack says that these tires have an original tread depth of 10/32 when they are new. So, if your mechanic is measuring the tread at 7/32, they are still in pretty good shape.

If I were you, I would buy one new tire. ( I would be sure to buy the exact same tire) I don't think your quattro will even notice such a small difference in tire diameter. If that doesn't work, you can always buy the other three tires, but I very much doubt that would be necessary.

Randy Young seems to be the guru on this topic. I hope he agrees. If not, do what he says.

I hope you are still enjoying the wheels. And I hope they weren't damaged with such a flat tire.

simmer

after reading this but would still like to hear Randy's opinion. Love the tires and the rims. Generally happy with the look of the car. No need to go bigger. The s8's are cheap now especially with the CDN dollar.

A8AWD

<ul><li><a href="http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&amp;sbrftog=1&amp;dfsp=1&amp ;catref=C6&amp;from=R10&amp;_trksid=m37&amp;satitl e=18+Continental&amp;sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&amp;fmmk=&amp;fmmd=&amp;fylo=&amp; fyhi=&amp;mppfqy=18+Conti

ryoung

If you have 7/32 left, the tires have lost 3/32 and are within 0.7% of new. The Torsen can handle a front-to-rear speed difference of 2-3% without excessive heat build-up and wear, but since only one tire is being replaced, the Torsen will see a speed difference of half that or only 0.35% ... well within tolerable limits.

simmer

That's great news ....Thanks very muchly

simmer

Would it still work if they were 6-7/32 worn??

ryoung

Replacing a single tire doubles the axle speed difference to 0.7-0.8%, but that's still well below the 2-3% limits of the Torsen. Even if you replaced two worn tires and put both of them on one end of the car, you'd double the speed difference again to 1.5% and still be OK (but getting close to the edge).

BTW: Put the new tire up front, where it'll wear faster, and then rotate tires every 3k miles after that.

simmer

Thanks!!