Is It True To Buy A Car Tire Must Be Four At Once For Security?

JAKARTA - Tire is the most important component in a vehicle because it involves comfort and driving safety. However, many underestimate it when they have to change tires.

A viral TikTok video states that tires are an important component that must come first, rather than accessories. Furthermore, the @andysautoadvice account states that car owners cannot just change their partial tires.

"Without a good tire in your body, you won't be able to go far. And please, don't be stingy in buying tires," Andy said in a clip that has been watched more than 116,000 times.

"And when you change tires, don't just change two tires. Change the four tires. Changing the two tires at once doesn't guarantee your luck at all," he continued, quoted from Motor1, Thursday, November 27.

Experts also say that what the account conveys is quite basic. Because, no matter how sophisticated the safety technology on modern vehicles is, everything still depends on the four small parts of rubber that touch the road.

The idea is supported by data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Agency (NHTSA), which estimates 646 deaths per year are caused by tire-related accidents. Safety experts note that aus tire treads, improper wind charging, and old tire rubber significantly increase the risk of loss of control.

Especially during wet weather, where the braking distance can increase by more than 80 percent after the tire tread depth drops below 2/32 inches. That's why Andy on his Tiktok account emphasizes the importance of doing research and choosing tires that suit climate and driving style, instead of relying solely on prices.

However, one of Andy's most controversial aspects of his advice is his insistence on replacing all four tires at once. For many drivers, it is not financially realistic, and it is not always needed mechanically.

Car manufacturers usually recommend replacing all-wheeled driven tires (AWD) to keep their turnaround. Subaru, for example, warns that inappropriate tire diameters could damage mid-differentials or AWD coupling packages.

However, in front and rear wheels, replacing two tires is also a common practice, as long as the new tires are mounted on the rear guard, regardless of whether the vehicle is driven by a front wheel or rear wheels.

Testing shows that installing new tires up front, even in front-wheeled vehicles (FWDs), can increase the possibility of oversteers on wet roads. When braking or maneuvering avoiding, older rear tires with thinner treads will lose grip first.

Where, it causes the vehicle to rotate unexpectedly. The newer tires are installed on the back, not because of the power distribution, but because the back of the car is much more difficult to stabilize after the traction disappears.

So, although Andy's warning that tire imbalance can endanger safety is correct, automotive testing reveals the nuances he ignores, two tires are acceptable, but only if they are installed in the right location.

On the other hand, Andy's broader points are also true because tires affect every input your car makes, ranging from acceleration, braking, turning, to staying stable in bad weather. Even the ABS system or the most advanced stability control can't work even if the tires don't have good grip.