Just put the new tire in the front. Use two evenly wore wires in the back

 

I had the same problem with my Escape with automatic four wheel drive. I tried to plug and I tried to patch the place and it wouldn't hold. The tires were new and I couldn't get an identical replacement because of a national backorder. After 3 or 4 months, I put a tube in the leaking tire and there has been no problem with it.

If you wanted to put a new tire on, you wouldn't hurt anything. The only time that is a problem is when you have Full time or All wheel drive.

 

TECHNICALLY they are safe. many shops will patch a sidewall with no questions.

Tech makes sidewall plugs just for this

personally i don't do it. I will patch within the tread. If it's right on the edge of thread and i think it will be fine, I'll do it.

As long as you check the tire to see if the sidewalls not pulling apart you'll be fine