4matic tire tread difference
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2020
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From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
4matic tire tread difference
so I chipped the front right tire on a curb last night, and it has a slow leak. minimal scratch on rim. was almost flat overnight, so I pumped it up to 40 PSI.
the tires are 14 months old, 245/45R17 XL ContiPro MO, maybe 10,000 miles on them. tirerack says new have 10/32 tread.
all measurements the outside, middle, inside main rain grooves on each tire, in /32nds of an inch.
so can an E350 4Matic wagon get away with one replacement, or should I get all 4 ? Seems to be using a 3/32nd tolerance, we're right on the edge.
f I get all 4 I'd rather get Michelins, probably Pilot AS 4.
the tires are 14 months old, 245/45R17 XL ContiPro MO, maybe 10,000 miles on them. tirerack says new have 10/32 tread.
all measurements the outside, middle, inside main rain grooves on each tire, in /32nds of an inch.
- Front right (flat) - 7.5, 9, 8.5
- Front left - 8, 8.5, 8
- Right rear - 6.5, 7, 7
- Left rear - 6.5, 7, 7
so can an E350 4Matic wagon get away with one replacement, or should I get all 4 ? Seems to be using a 3/32nd tolerance, we're right on the edge.
f I get all 4 I'd rather get Michelins, probably Pilot AS 4.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 319
Likes: 138
From: Miami
W212 E350
Look into a place that shaves tires. They're far and few between now, but it would save you money compared to buying a full set of tires (especially AS4's, I have PS4s and used to have AS4s, Michelin will run your pockets). So you'd be able to purchase a single new tire, and have it shaved down to spec.
Tire rack provides tire shaving for $25-35
Tire rack provides tire shaving for $25-35
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 1,483
From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
Look into a place that shaves tires. They're far and few between now, but it would save you money compared to buying a full set of tires (especially AS4's, I have PS4s and used to have AS4s, Michelin will run your pockets). So you'd be able to purchase a single new tire, and have it shaved down to spec.
Tire rack provides tire shaving for $25-35
Tire rack provides tire shaving for $25-35
Senior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 319
Likes: 138
From: Miami
W212 E350
Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 151
Likes: 95
From: Connecticut
2013 E550 Sedan, 2005 E500 4matic Wagon
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,363
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From: Pepper Pike Ohio
24 GLS580 '23 E450 4matic 12 E350 4Matic
so I chipped the front right tire on a curb last night, and it has a slow leak. minimal scratch on rim. was almost flat overnight, so I pumped it up to 40 PSI.
the tires are 14 months old, 245/45R17 XL ContiPro MO, maybe 10,000 miles on them. tirerack says new have 10/32 tread.
all measurements the outside, middle, inside main rain grooves on each tire, in /32nds of an inch.
so can an E350 4Matic wagon get away with one replacement, or should I get all 4 ? Seems to be using a 3/32nd tolerance, we're right on the edge.
f I get all 4 I'd rather get Michelins, probably Pilot AS 4.
the tires are 14 months old, 245/45R17 XL ContiPro MO, maybe 10,000 miles on them. tirerack says new have 10/32 tread.
all measurements the outside, middle, inside main rain grooves on each tire, in /32nds of an inch.
- Front right (flat) - 7.5, 9, 8.5
- Front left - 8, 8.5, 8
- Right rear - 6.5, 7, 7
- Left rear - 6.5, 7, 7
so can an E350 4Matic wagon get away with one replacement, or should I get all 4 ? Seems to be using a 3/32nd tolerance, we're right on the edge.
f I get all 4 I'd rather get Michelins, probably Pilot AS 4.
As I'm sure you're aware a sidewall leak can blow at any minute, especially driving on it. Although you won't likely consider it, I have the Sumitomo HTR PO3's they are awesome in the snow and ice and are 75 dollars less a tire, rated third in the ultra performance category on tire rack and many of my friends have them and are happy, a couple with more than 40k on them. I know snow traction is not important in Santa Cruz!
Last edited by pierrejoliat; Feb 15, 2022 at 09:07 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 319
Likes: 138
From: Miami
W212 E350
Maybe buy your two michelins for the front and save the good one for the spare? then if you have a tire issue, you can have the old Conti mounted until the new Michelin's arrive from an inexpensive vendor like tire rack, I saved the best tire from both cars as one is 17" and one is 18" so I'm not forced to buy a single tire at a tire store in just such an emergency?
As I'm sure you're aware a sidewall leak can blow at any minute, especially driving on it. Although you won't likely consider it, I have the Sumitomo HTR PO3's they are awesome in the snow and ice and are 75 dollars less a tire, rated third in the ultra performance category on tire rack and many of my friends have them and are happy, a couple with more than 40k on them. I know snow traction is not important in Santa Cruz!
As I'm sure you're aware a sidewall leak can blow at any minute, especially driving on it. Although you won't likely consider it, I have the Sumitomo HTR PO3's they are awesome in the snow and ice and are 75 dollars less a tire, rated third in the ultra performance category on tire rack and many of my friends have them and are happy, a couple with more than 40k on them. I know snow traction is not important in Santa Cruz!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,695
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
If I worked at Michelin or Goodyear, I might consider tires to be rocket science. As a consumer, though, I think building a hoagie sandwich to be more technically challenging.
That said, I tend to replace tires in matched pairs. So, I would pick the two with close to the same tread, and the most tread, and move them to the front axle, and buy two new ones for the rear axle. (Tire dealers say to install new tire pairs on the rear for wet traction... also rocket science.)
But since your right front is damaged, its sibling on the left is an orphan. So, I'd move both (half-worn) rear tires to the front, news on the rear, and the LF to the trunk (or garage). If your car is a daily driver, you can then put another 10,000 miles on the fronts before replacing them as a pair (at the rear). If not a daily driver, they could last 3-4 years in these pandemic times. See a plan?
Last edited by DFWdude; Feb 15, 2022 at 11:46 AM.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 1,483
From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
well, shop said *their* rule on AWD is 2/32nds difference, and my rears being 6.5/7/7 vs the 'good' front at 8/8.5/8 vs a new front at 10/10/10 exceeds that, so 4 new Pilot AS 4 are en route, hopefully be there in a half hour or so to be installed today.
the way I figure, I like to replace my tires when the tread is down to 4/32nds (vs the legal 2/32nds limit), so the ones at 7 are 50% worn already.
the way I figure, I like to replace my tires when the tread is down to 4/32nds (vs the legal 2/32nds limit), so the ones at 7 are 50% worn already.
