Lee,

Do you have the tread depth measurements fot your tires??  If you have or can get them we can more accurately advise you on this.  Feel free to pmail me with your Honda questions as I am the Assistant Parts Manager in a Honda and Acura dealership in Anchorage, AK.

Mark in AK
Assistant Parts Manager
Continental Auto LLC

----- Original Message -----
From: Lee Kouns <LeeKouns@WEBTV.NET>
Date: Wednesday, November 8, 2006 9:57 pm
Subject: NVC Question on AWD and tire tread depth
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

> Are there any all-wheel-drive experts out there who can enlighten
> me on
> something?  Here's my situation:
> 1) The front two tires on my AWD Honda Element need to be replaced.
> 2)  The rear tires seem barely worn.
> 3)   I'm thinking of replacing the front tires only, with the
> exact same
> tire that is currently on the rear.
> 4)   I've been told by a tire dealer that if there is too much
> wear on
> the rear tires that I risk damaging the drive train.  (The
> transmissionis manual--if that matters)
> Is there truth to what the tire dealer is telling me?   If so, how
> muchwear on the back tires is too much?   I'm wondering if  the
> dealer just
> wants to sell me 4 tires instead of 2?
>
> As always, any comments on the matter will be greatly appreciated.
> Lee Kouns
> '88 Westy
> '04  Honda Element
>