With 4matic do you really have to replace all 4 tires at once?
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2008 W204
With 4matic do you really have to replace all 4 tires at once?
Is there a maximum tread variance that you should maintain between the front and rear tires? I have found no clear answer to this question. Of course tire shops and dealerships will tell you you need to replace all four...but they just want to sell more tires. Mercedes has not put anything in their manuals that specifies that all four must be replaced at once. Also apparently 4matic uses three open differentials and can send up to 70% of its power to one wheel if necessary.
But then the concern is long-term driving with fairly worn rear tires and brand new fronts. When coming to a stop, I feel like I've noticed a stress vibration in the drivetrain since replacing the fronts only. Then again, I've previously replaced all four tires at once and my fronts ultimately wore more than the rears...as do other cars. So there has to be some allowance for a difference in fronts and rears in the 4matic system without having to worry about extra stress on the drivetrain. I'm just wondering if there's a limit as to how much (e.g. having fairly worn rears and brand new fronts).
It's either no issue at all and just a sales tactic (perhaps the drivetrain is built to handle different speeds in the front and rear); or running different fronts and rears for the long-term puts additional wear on the system.
2008 C300 4matic
But then the concern is long-term driving with fairly worn rear tires and brand new fronts. When coming to a stop, I feel like I've noticed a stress vibration in the drivetrain since replacing the fronts only. Then again, I've previously replaced all four tires at once and my fronts ultimately wore more than the rears...as do other cars. So there has to be some allowance for a difference in fronts and rears in the 4matic system without having to worry about extra stress on the drivetrain. I'm just wondering if there's a limit as to how much (e.g. having fairly worn rears and brand new fronts).
It's either no issue at all and just a sales tactic (perhaps the drivetrain is built to handle different speeds in the front and rear); or running different fronts and rears for the long-term puts additional wear on the system.
2008 C300 4matic
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From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
I replace tires at 3/32 tread depth or every 5 years which ever comes first. I rotate if necessary to even out the wear because I hate driving with two new tires and two old tires.
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C205 W/ M177
If you want to maintain your car "by the book" ensure on AWD vehicles your tread depth is the same to avoid issues related to AWD parts. I can also understand why some people may not follow that advice if they may not be able to afford it. Safety should be your #1 priority so I suggest at least replacing them in pairs (same axle) given that they wear evenly. Don't forget to keep your wheel alignment maintained to protect your investment.
