I have a 2013 GS 350 AWD. The right front tire is splitting on the sidewall. The other 3 tires are fine and are about 50% worn. The dealer is telling me that it's OK to only replace the worn tire. From everything I've been told about AWD vehicles is that you should replace all four tires and not just one because of the difference in the circumference of the tire will cause damage to the drive drain. Are Lexus vehicles somehow able to compensate better for the difference in the circumference of the tire better than other vehicle manufacturers? I don't want to have a drive train problem down the road because of running mismatched tires.

 

It's one thing to put a completely different sized tire than the rest and having one tire with a few mils more tread than the other. Won't damage your drivetrain.

Now, my OCD self just can't handle knowing they're completely different in age and wear. Like headlamps, I'd replace at least two (opposing) if the others have 50% treadlife remaining.

 

You can replace one. That being said I would replace both fronts, keep the other good front as a spare. This would also spread out the cost having to replace all 4 some day. We are probably talking 3-4 /32nds of an inch. What is the old tire tread in 32nd's compared to the new?

 

Consider General Gmax AS 05. Put them on my '13 awd. Very very affordable.

 

I would pair the new tire to the same axle, the difference of wear would always pull the traction to new tire. In addition the slight wear to the older side would always pull alignment to that side. Just sayin