Do all 4 of your existing tires only have 5200km? If so, I would be replacing only one tire. If you're not comfortable with that, replace two and put the new ones on the rear. But one is fine. Don't bother calling the dealership.

 

It's mostly FWD and with only 3,200 miles I'd buy only one or two tires and put them at the rear*
But usually you can find a good deal when buying a set of four so might be worth doing that. Stock tires are pretty crappy anyway

 

Many discussions on the subject and I'm sure that what applied to the 4.3s & 4.4s hasn't changed with the 4.5s.

https://www.rav4world.com/threads/replace-tire-for-awd.154346/#post-1513033

 

Unless you have been completely dissatisfied with the OE tires, I would just buy one tire & run them out. Make sure you replace it with the exact same tire, not just something similar or the same size. With only 3,200 miles there shouldn't be more than 1/16" - 1/32" of wear & it will be fine.

 

Short answer, no you ain't driving a Subaru and going to burn up a dumb viscous coupler. And don't fall for Toyota calling your variable electro-coupler with it's own ECU a viscous coupler.

 

not enough miles to matter, change one tire is good

 

Thank you for your replies!

So in Canada the exact tire is around 400CAD

Buying 2 tires will be 800CAD

I am eyeing the Michelin defender 2 for 241 CAD

If I buy 2 of the OEM tires it will be 800. The full set of 4 for the defender 2 is 1050.

Almost worth getting a full set of the Michelin Defender 2 than replace 2 expensive OEM tires.

 

$400 CAD! What tires does your RAV4 LE have?
I have the Michelin Defender 2s on our RAV. They are fantastic tires.

 

Tires are 225/65r17 102h dunlop priced at
397 CAD but after taxes it's 455

Canadian Tire and other sites are around that same price

455 is around 600 dollar difference for a full set of potential better tires. Now I am even questioning the cost of this ONE expensive OEM tire....

At this point buying TWO of these tires aren't an option as it's getting close to the cost of 4 Michelin defender 2.

My only option for me at this point is ONE expensive OEM tire for 455CAD or replace all 4 for 1050CAD

 

I had the Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 tires on our RAV4 & could tell from the test ride that they weren't for me. I traded them off @ Discount Tire before we took it home from the dealership. If I lived in Canada instead of SW Iowa, I probably would have traded them off for Michelin CrossClimate 2s instead of the Defender2s. I'm assuming you get more snow where you live than we do...

 

Your right

The CrossClimates 2 are very great in snow and where I live, 4-5 months of winter.

I got a quote for Cosco and they have deal for these tires.

Total with installation is 992.10 CAD

Thanks for the suggestion! Thank goodness I have a cosco membership lol

 

Sounds like the Stealership is out for profit. If the OEM tires are the Dunlops they aren't worth half the price.quoted to you. As for the Nitrogen refill I just refill with the 70% Nitrogen AKA the normal air.

 

It's the retail price for these tires in Canada

 

Now I am even questioning the cost of this ONE expensive OEM tire....

Unusual for stock tire to cost that much especially Dunlops

The problem with the tires that come from the factory is they are often different that what is offered through retail sale. Because they are different, they can be hard to find and cost more.

Example: My RAV4 came with Michelin Primacy AS. But what is offered for retail sale is the Primacy Tour AS. Differences? The biggest difference is the Primacy AS has 8/32" tread depth while the Primacy Tour AS has 10/32".

 

The problem with the tires that come from the factory is they are often different that what is offered through retail sale. Because they are different, they can be hard to find and cost more.

Example: My RAV4 came with Michelin Primacy AS. But what is offered for retail sale is the Primacy Tour AS. Differences? The biggest difference is the Primacy AS has 8/32" tread depth while the Primacy Tour AS has 10/32".

Yeah I figured it's also a supply and demand thing

I am pretty much have to spend 1050 CAD after taxes for a full set a Michelin Defender 2 vs one OEM tire which is 455 CAD after taxes.

I may go the full set route only because how crazy expensive one tire is. I'll try to sell the OEM on Kijiji but I doubt I'll get anything serious for it

Also reviews look really good for the defender 2. If I am going to be spending almost 50 percent of a better set of new tires, I might as well do that

 

Let us know how you like those CrossClimates after using them in the snow!

 

Those Dunlops are expensive in the U.S. as well, something like $239usd at Tire Rack.

 

You said the tire is damaged in what way. I know a lot of places will not patch a tire if a nail is too close to the edge. If it's a simple repair like a nail I've purchased a plug kit and plugged the tire myself.

 

Interesting side note: We just picked up our 2024 XLE AWD (ICE) and it has Michelin Primacy A/S tires instead of the Dunlops. I'm happy about that for sure. That's not the Michelin I would have chosen but I'm not displeased.

 

Just curious as to where your RAV4 was made. Ours came from Japan.

 

Rather than trying to give an honest & detailed description of the 2 tires, I'll post two of the reviews written this year by Tire Grades, which give a fairly non biased detailed description of both tires. as well as some alternatives the site considers close competitors to both tires.

The biggest advantage I can tell from all the reviews & videos I've read & seen is the extra traction that the CC2 gives compared to the Defender2. The biggest disadvantage I believe the CC2 has compared to the Defender2 is that it has a higher rolling resistance, resulting in poorer fuel economy. There are literally dozens of reviews & vids that talk about this disadvantage with most of the comments saying they felt like the advantages (especially the excellent traction in snow & ice conditions) were well worth the minimal loss in fuel economy. The CrossClimate2 has a 640 treadwear rating, a B traction rating, and an A temperature rating. The CC2 has a 6 year, 60,000 mile warranty.

The biggest advantages I can tell from reviews & personal experience is the handling, exceptional ride characteristics, and quiet drive that the Defender2 has from other tires I've owned and from what I've gleaned from the reviews & videos I've seen on the CC2. The biggest disadvantage I believe the Defender2 has compared to the CC2 is the winter traction. The Defender2 is still rated in the 8-9 out of 10 range in most revies, but hopefully I'll be able to address just how well they handle Iowa winter weather personally by next spring. So far we've had an exceptionally warm & dry winter... The Defender2 has an 840 treadwear rating, a B traction rating, a B temperature rating, and a 6 year, 80,000 mile warranty.

As a side note I feel the need to edit this and mention that if I had known when we bought this RAV4 that they all read 2 mph faster than the actual speed I would have went up one size. Our Limited hybrid uses 225/60R18 and I would have sized up to 235/60R18s. I believe this may have given us an even smoother ride, given us a bit more protection from potholes, and would have been much closer to the actual speed. I also want to mention that my first choice for tires was the Michelin Defender LTX M&S, but that tire is not available in either one of these sizes. The Defender LTX M&S is one of the finest tires Michelin makes for a wide range of vehicles. Hope this gives you at least some of the info you're looking for.

Michelin CrossClimate 2 Review (2023) | TireGrades

Michelin Defender2 Review (2023) | TireGrades

 

Thank

you JLH.

 

Just curious as to where your RAV4 was made. Ours came from Japan.

Ontario, Canada. VIN #2

 

Thanks.

 

Not necessary on a Toyota to replace all 4. On a Subaru, yes. The Toyota AWD will not be damaged. Rotate the new one to the rear.

 

Is it really necessary even on a Subaru? I never planned to buy one but I certainly won't if that's the case.

 

Doesn’t the 2023 rav4 AWD default to 2wd unless you engage AWD? If so snd you are Mai let driving 2wd why the 4 tire replacement recommendations?

 

If so snd you are Mai let driving

????