Can You Replace Only 2 Tires On A Subaru? | The AWD Catch

No, most Subaru AWD models should not get only two new tires unless all four tires closely match in size, brand, and wear.

A lot of Subaru owners land here after one annoying moment: a nail, a bubble in the sidewall, or a tire that gets chewed up long before the other three. On many cars, replacing two tires feels normal. On most Subaru models, that answer gets tricky fast.

The reason is simple. Most Subarus use all-wheel drive, and AWD likes all four tires to roll at nearly the same rate. Put two fresh tires on one axle and leave two worn tires on the other, and the drivetrain can spend every mile trying to sort out that difference. That extra work can turn a cheap tire job into a much bigger repair bill.

So the short version is this: if your Subaru is AWD, replacing only two tires is sometimes possible, but only when the old pair and the new pair are still very close in overall size and tread wear. If they are not, replacing all four tires is the safer call.

Why Subaru AWD Makes This A Bigger Deal

On a front-wheel-drive car, a mismatched pair can still be a bad idea, yet the drivetrain usually has an easier time living with it. A Subaru AWD system is working through all four corners of the car all the time or nearly all the time, depending on the model and setup. That means tire differences show up sooner and matter more.

If one pair has deeper tread, those tires have a slightly larger rolling circumference. That sounds tiny on paper. Out on the road, it means one end of the car wants to travel a bit farther with each rotation. The center clutch pack, differential, and related parts have to absorb that mismatch.

• Fresh tires sit taller than worn tires, even when the sidewall size matches.
• Different brands can measure a bit differently, even in the same listed size.
• Uneven wear from poor alignment can throw off the match even more.
• AWD parts do not enjoy being asked to smooth out that mismatch mile after mile.

That is why Subaru owners hear stricter tire advice than owners of many two-wheel-drive cars. Subaru’s own owner resources push drivers toward the same tires the vehicle came with, or at least the same size and style when changing brands.

Replacing Only Two Tires On A Subaru With Less Risk

There are cases where replacing two tires can work. The catch is that the old pair must still be close enough to the new pair that the drivetrain does not feel a steady difference. This usually happens when the existing tires are still pretty fresh and wear is even across the car.

When Two Tires May Work

A shop may sign off on replacing only two tires when the remaining pair still has strong tread left, the wear pattern is even, and the new tires match the old ones closely. Same brand, same model, same size, same load rating, and same speed rating is the safer path.

• The two remaining tires are still close to new in tread depth.
• All four tires are the same model line, not just the same printed size.
• The old pair has no odd shoulder wear, cupping, or flat spotting.
• The shop measures the actual tread depth on all four tires before ordering anything.

When It Is A Bad Bet

If your current tires are halfway worn, near the end of their life, or worn unevenly, replacing only two usually stops making sense. You may save money at the counter and lose it later in drivetrain wear, noisy operation, or a car that just feels off.

• One axle is much more worn than the other.
• You want to mix different tire models because they were on sale.
• The damaged tire happened after many miles on the current set.
• Your shop cannot tell you the tread depth difference in plain numbers.

What A Shop Should Measure Before Saying Yes

This is the part many owners skip. “They look close” is not enough on an AWD Subaru. A good shop will measure, compare, and make the call from data rather than a glance across the bay.

Check	What The Shop Should Verify	Why It Matters
Tread depth	Measure all four tires in 32nds	Shows whether new and old tires are still close enough
Brand and model	Match the exact tire line if possible	Listed sizes can still run differently across brands
Overall size	Confirm width, aspect ratio, and wheel diameter	Even one wrong size throws off rolling circumference
Load and speed rating	Match the ratings on the current set	Keeps handling and carcass behavior consistent
Wear pattern	Look for shoulder wear, feathering, or cupping	Uneven wear can make a “matching” pair a bad match
Tire age	Read the DOT date code	Old rubber can act differently even with decent tread
Damage cause	Check whether the bad tire failed from road hazard or alignment	Alignment trouble can ruin the new pair fast
Rotation history	See whether the tires were rotated on schedule	Regular rotation keeps tread wear more even across the car

Subaru’s own tire replacement recommendations say the vehicle should get the same tires it was originally equipped with, or at least the same size and style if you switch brands. That wording tells you where Subaru leans: close matching, not guesswork.

The Options Most Owners End Up Weighing

Once the measurements are on the table, the choice usually narrows fast. Most owners end up in one of four lanes.

Replace All Four Tires

This is the cleanest answer when the current set is already worn. It resets the whole system, keeps the rolling diameter even, and avoids the “maybe it will be fine” gamble. If your other three tires are already well into their life, this is often the smartest money move.

Replace One Or Two And Shave The New Tire

Some tire shops can shave a new tire down to match the tread depth of the remaining tires. That can save a lot of money when three tires are still in good shape. Not every shop offers it, and not every owner loves the idea, but on AWD vehicles it can be a solid middle path.

Buy A Matching Used Tire

If you can find the same tire model with nearly the same tread depth, a used match can work better than a brand-new mismatch. This route takes patience. You need the right model, the right size, and wear that lines up with the other tires.

Replace Two Only If The Numbers Are Tight

This is the route people want most because it feels reasonable. It can be reasonable when the old pair is still close to new and the new pair is an exact match. If the shop sounds unsure, that is your sign to slow down.

Option	Usually Fits When	Trade-Off
Replace all four	The current set is worn or mixed	Higher tire bill, lower drivetrain risk
Two new matching tires	The old pair is still close to new	Works only if measurements stay tight
One or two shaved tires	Three tires still have plenty of life	Needs a shop that offers shaving
Used matching tire	You can find the exact model with similar wear	Takes time and careful checking
Do nothing yet	The damaged tire is not safe to keep driving on	Usually the worst lane of all

The Subaru Exception Most People Miss

Not every Subaru follows the same rule. The BRZ is rear-wheel drive, not Subaru’s usual AWD setup. That means the “replace all four or else” warning is not as strict on a BRZ as it is on an Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, Legacy, WRX, or Ascent.

Even so, matching tires still matters on any car. You still want the same type across an axle, even wear, and sane tread differences. The BRZ just does not carry the same AWD mismatch worry as the rest of the lineup.

What To Do Before You Buy

If you are standing in a tire store and want the least messy answer, do this in order.

1. Ask for the tread depth of all four tires in 32nds, written down.
2. Ask whether the new tire will be the exact same model as the old pair.
3. Ask whether your Subaru model has a stated tolerance the shop follows.
4. Ask whether tire shaving is available if the match is close but not perfect.
5. Get an alignment check if the worn tire shows edge wear or odd patterns.

Subaru’s page on Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive explains that the system is always managing traction across all four wheels. That is great for grip. It also explains why tire mismatch is more than a tiny tire-shop detail on most Subaru models.

If you want one plain answer, here it is: on most AWD Subarus, replace only two tires only when the old pair is still very close to the new pair in every way that counts. If that match is not there, replace all four and move on. It costs more up front, yet it is often the cheaper call once the whole car is part of the math.