Just got my first flat at 25,000 miles, rear-right. A piece of rebar or something metal ripped a nice hole in my tire. I need to replace the tire but do I need to replace all 4 at once with the AWD? I figure a tire shop will tell me all 4 but figured you guys/gals might know the real answer. I have the spare on now waiting to drive it somewhere to be fixed. Thanks!

 

This is my opinion but I have over 15 years of driving AWD Mitsubishi's, I say yes.

Replace all 4.

Mitsubishi uses a driveline that does not like miss-matched sizes, brands, or old and new tires.

 

nooo, don't replace all 4. Well, maybe, if you have so much money, they falling out of your pockets. I would find exactly same brand, same model tire and just replace that one.

 

first understand your drive line, then you have two options.

1) buy the exact same tire, get it shaved to match the diameter of the rest.
2) buy two tires, preferrably the same tire. ONLY DRIVE IN 2WD MODE UNTIL NEW TIRES AND OLD TIRES ARE SAME DIAMETER.

I had a blowout with two of mine some years back. I opted for option 2. Shop guys warned me about needing to have the same size tire because I have an AWD...until I told them that it is select-able and I can run around in 2WD. After that, they agreed with me. It took me about a year to wear those tires down to match the rest. Whit92VR4 is correct if you don't have the option of 2WD. I want to say they all have it, but I don't know for sure that all Outlanders have 2WD mode.

 

My 10 GT with the S-AWC is only AWD. No option to go 2WD.

You really need to buy 4 new tires.

If you are still rolling with the factory rubber, they are most likely almost worn out anyway.

Most tire places will give you $10-$20 each for good used tires on trade if you buy new ones.

 

As stated above go for the 4. Sorry for the hit to your budget but far cheaper than driveline damage.

 

It really depends on how much snow you get, which essentially dictates how often you'll turn on AWD. Unlike some other AWD cars, the mitsu fully disconnects the rear wheels in 2WD mode, so it's like having a FWD car.

On those days with snow, you'll have slippery traction anyways so it's not hurting the drivetrain as much as tires fight each other to maintain a certain rotation speed. Just try not to drive far on the days it snows, you should be fine. I say just replace the 1 tire and leave it in 2wd for as much as you can.

 

GT with S-AWD are ALWAYS in 4 wheels traction only the ratio can be changed.
The manual say change 4 tires (or have the new one shaved to the same diameter)

 

buy 1 identical and shave it.