SSZ2891

so i have an 89 iroc-z rwd. got a flat passenger side rear tire. do i need to get the same exact tire that i have on the drivers side or can i get any tire that is similar as long as it is the same size? please help. size is p245 50z r16 and its a goodyear eagle gs-c. if anyone has this same tire let me know it would help me out a lot. thanks

RS Reaper

I would get two brand new tires (goodyear eagle gs-c) for the front so the wear is the same. So that all tires are same brand and model and the two front tires have same tread and the two back tires have the same tread.

SSZ2891

is it ok if i were to just replace the one flat tire though with the same size. i know it would be best to get two new rear tires or even four new tires but i just want to drive it.

RS Reaper

Well I wouldn't recommend it but it may work, your most likely going to go to a shop right? If you go ask the guy there if the tire will be OK, it is all on how much thread is on the other tire. My worry is the car will not be balanced and will pulling to one side and causing faster wear on one tire. That will basically make you have to get two tires. I know tires are a lot but you take a risk of after you buy this single tire having to buy another pair to replace the single.
Best thing to do is just go to a tire shop and ask them what your options are.

sled_fiend

It really depends on how much tread depth is left on the drivers side rear. If the tires were fairly new when you got the flat then I'd say yeah go ahead and put a new tire on. Preferably the same tire or at least a tire with the same original tread depth and similar pattern. The goodyear GS-C is a high performance summer tire so you would want to put another tire from that class on in its place (Bridgeston Potenza series, Firestone Firehawk, etc.)

If the driver's side rear tire is worn quite a bit, 50-60% or so, you will end up having that one wear out and the new one will still have a lot of life left and you will continueously be replacing one, two, or three tires or replacing a tire that is still good if you do a set of 4.

You won't hurt anything running a new or different brand tire (provided its the same size) but it will definitely not be optimal. IMPO I recommend putting on a new set of four Bridgestone or Firestone tires.

-Keith (Bridgestone Engineer)

I'll look in my files, I know I have Bridgestone's "official" position on replacing less than 4 tires. I'm too tired to look now.