Hello,
I'm looking to buy new tires for my new (to me) 2005 CR-V AWD. My front tires are worn almost to the bars, while the rear tires look to have around 4 or 5/32 left. My full size spare has an un-repairable gash.
I'm considering the following options:
1. Replace front tires only (most likely with used tires, if I can find a decent pair). I would then use one of the old front tires as my spare.
2. Replace front and rear tires (with new tires). I would then use one of the old rear tires as my spare.
3. Replace front and rear tires along with spare, and use a 5 tire rotation.
The tire shops all tell me that I need to replace all 4 tires because of the AWD. The manual recommends replacing all 4 at the same time, but says replacing only two tires is acceptable (although the manual might be referencing the 2-wheel drive models).
It seems to me that the tires would last longer in a 5 tire rotation (including the spare). It also seems that it would be a better use of my spare tire, rather than having it sit out in the sun degrading without any use. I also figured that with a 5 tire rotation keeping the spare evenly worn, if I were to have another un-repairable flat, I could replace it with the spare (which should have similar wear to the other tires) and buy just a single tire to replace my spare (I would switch to a 4 tire rotation at that point).
Does anyone have experience with a 5 tire rotation? Both my mechanic and the tire shop seemed rather unenthused by the idea, neither encouraging nor discouraging me from trying it. Is a 5 tire rotation worth it? Or should I just get 4 tires and leave my spare on the back unless needed (in which case I would need to replace 2 or 4 tires if I got an un-repairable flat)?
I would love to hear any opinions you might have. I'm hoping to buy tires in the next week so I can take advantage of Costco's discount on Michelins. Should I buy 4 or 5 tires (or perhaps only 2)?
Thanks!