• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


Thoughts on buying used tires?

V3nom3nom

Member
Nurse
Messages
183
Reactions
100
Points
27
Location
Houston, TX, USA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#1
Will need to replace my stock scorpion 21”s soon and found some
Michelin Pilot all seasons for about half of retail. $800-900. Here is the kicker, 2 tires are 8/32 and 2 are 9/32 tread depth. Is this ok with the AWD system. I’ve read/heard that replacing all 4 is best.
 

Messages
291
Reactions
144
Points
37
Location
Roseville
Vehicle
2021 Explorer ST
#2
Will need to replace my stock scorpion 21”s soon and found some
Michelin Pilot all seasons for about half of retail. $800-900. Here is the kicker, 2 tires are 8/32 and 2 are 9/32 tread depth. Is this ok with the AWD system. I’ve read/heard that replacing all 4 is best.
Im not sure on the specs but if they are off a certain % it will mess with the AWD system. Id ask the dealer or legit tire shop if these would work before buying. I would "assume" 1/32 wont make a difference but I dont know for a fact.
 

Toadster

Member
Law Enforcement
Messages
307
Reactions
180
Points
37
Location
Folsom, CA
Vehicle
'23 ExST, '17 Raptor, '16 FoST, FFR Cobra
#3
I'd never cheap out on tires...
 

F=MA

Active Member
Messages
909
Reactions
584
Points
232
Location
Wichita, KS, USA
#4
My old 22 inch tire treads were 6/32" rear and 8/32" front and this tread difference never caused any issues at all regarding AWD on my 2020 ST with 26,000 miles.
 

TMac

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,700
Reactions
1,462
Points
262
Location
Knoxville, TN
#5
If they're not far off it's not going to hurt the AWD system. I don't know what the tolerance is but if it was only 1/16", that would be less than a couple pounds of air difference in the tires.
 

Messages
291
Reactions
144
Points
37
Location
Roseville
Vehicle
2021 Explorer ST
#6
If they're not far off it's not going to hurt the AWD system. I don't know what the tolerance is but if it was only 1/16", that would be less than a couple pounds of air difference in the tires.
Good point never thought of It that way. They prob make a big deal of it so they can sell you 4 new tires when you might only need 1 or 2 lol
but let’s not start on air pressure again lmao
 

GearHead_1

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,439
Reactions
1,154
Points
262
Location
Utah
Vehicle
Exploder
#7
...but let’s not start on air pressure again lmao
That's for sure, let's not get into that again. Everyone knows Ford recommends 33 PSI for the Street or Track Pack trims, but if someone wants to run 34, what the heck? :ROFLMAO:
 

Messages
291
Reactions
144
Points
37
Location
Roseville
Vehicle
2021 Explorer ST
#8
That's for sure, let's not get into that again. Everyone knows Ford recommends 33 PSI for the Street or Track Pack trims, but if someone wants to run 34, what the heck? :ROFLMAO:
Stick to reading bed time story’s your better off.
 

Messages
423
Reactions
192
Points
37
Location
Round Lake, IL USA
Vehicle
'21 Explorer ST
#9
Will need to replace my stock scorpion 21”s soon and found some
Michelin Pilot all seasons for about half of retail. $800-900. Here is the kicker, 2 tires are 8/32 and 2 are 9/32 tread depth. Is this ok with the AWD system. I’ve read/heard that replacing all 4 is best.
Take with a grain, I was service manager for years and saw some some crazy stuff. With 4-wheel or AWD it's normally recommended to do all four at once. With proper maintenance (alignment & rotation) they should be wearing evenly through their life.

The way I always put it to customers was thinking about it like shoes. Back, knee or hip issues can be improved so much with good insoles and proper shoes. Would you skimp on the only part of you that touches the ground? Your ST only has 4 relatively small points of contact to the road surface. I'd want the best possible thing (within reason) hitting the ground.

That all being said the idea of used tires is a mixed bag in general. If they have more tread than what you've got now then its an improvement assuming the tires are undamaged and haven't been plugged or patched before. Like everything else used, you could be buying someone else's problem. Make sure you can confirm they're in good shape and tread readings are accurate. The tread variance is minimal (if it's only 1/32). Just do some quick math on what you're paying for vs new set. Are you saving enough to justify the difference in price? Good luck with the purchase.
 

Messages
57
Reactions
36
Points
17
Location
Florida
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#10
I consider tires a safety item, and thus never recommend buying used tires.

As for treadwear difference, most manuals for AWD cars will state something along the lines of keeping the rolling circumference the same on all 4 tires (which means tire rotation is actually something one should keep up on with an AWD vehicle). However, a good guideline is 2/32's max difference. Any more than that, and I wouldn't run them.
 

DaveG ST

Member
U.S. Army Veteran
Messages
327
Reactions
136
Points
37
Location
Hurlock, MD, USA
#11
I'd never cheap out on tires...
I totally agree with you on this. Well except back in the day when I was in college and funds were lacking. Anyhow, must agree that the OP should only go with new, just not worth the risk.
 



Top