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Like the title says, regarding a 2012 C300 4matic -

running OEM AMG pkg 17x7.5 and 17x8.5 rims. Is it okay to run a square tire setup of 225/45R17 all around on a W204 4Matic C300?

any known issues? will it damage the drivetrain or AWD system?


Thanks in advance.

Adi-Benz

It's not really a good idea because you'll have to stretch your rear tires...and I've never uneven wear/any need to rotate tires ever (even though I've run staggered of course)

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But is there any known documentation stating that this square setup will cause drivetrain damage?

Tom in Austin

As mentioned above this would mean running a 225 mm rear tire on a 216 mm rear wheel ... this is not normal Mercedes practice, if you look at the ratio of rear tire widths to wheel widths they are normally around 1.25 - 1.30. In transient conditions the response of the back of the car may be different from factory spec.

I went square on my car and run the same size tires and wheels all around. I think that's the best way to go, you could look for a pair of 7.5" wheels in the same style to run in back and then you'd be good all around. And you'll be able to rotate the tires and significantly increase their lifespan.

Adi-Benz

The biggest cause is difference in diameter (which there will be because of the stretch). You can run square on 4 equal wheels, but on the stock 7.5/8.5 I wouldn't risk it.
Better to spend a bit more on tires every once ina while than spend $6000 on a transmission.

Alfadude

As long as the overall circumference of the wheels/tires is the same on the same AXLE you are good. in other words, if both fronts are the same and the rears are different, it is ok as long as the .two rears are the same to each other and the two rears are the same to each other.

In your particular case, as was mentioned, that is quite a stretch. It would work, but I don't know if you would like the way it looks visually though, but everyone is different. If it was me, I would just buy two new wheels for the rear that are the same as the front and be done with it. As Tom mentioned, makes it much easier to rotate the tires too. Even if you buy two new wheels you could sell the two rears you have now to help reduce the cost. Not that much money in the big scheme of things.