All season tyre question!

[Churchy]

Morning all,

I am in need of two new front tyres for my van. Currently have Michelin Cross Climate 2 on all four wheels but require replacement fronts as they’ve worn on the shoulders as did the Nokians I had on previously.
Is it worth me upgrading to the Michelin Cross climate 3 and would it be ok to leave the cross climate 2’s on the rear? (they still have good tread depth across the whole tyre) but I am not sure of this will upset the four wheel drive system also if the 2 becomes unavailable and I need to replace one due to a puncture for example I’ll then be 3 and 1 if you see what I mean!?

Then thinking I put the current part worn mark 2s on the front and new mark 3’s on the rear for best grip likely that the 2’s on the front will wear to the point that I can then in future when time comes have marks 3’s all round!

Tyre size is 235/55/18
VW Transporter 4motion.

Cheers
Rob

 

[Sasquatch]

You want the best tyres on the rear.

Understeer is usually just annoying, whereas unexpected oversteer on a public road is deadly.

 

[t0mb0]

If your tyres are persistently wearing out on the shoulders long before the middle you might want to consider running them at higher pressure for the next set.

 

[doncarlyon]

Just make sure there isn't too much difference in tread depth

 

[Churchy]

Thanks all - probably take the punt and go for two new mark2 and hope if I have an issue they have not gone obsolete! Running pressures at 40 all round on the advice of the garage where I had them fitted last. The suggestion to avoid shoulder wear would be to run the fronts higher then I guess!? But by how much!?

 

[t0mb0]

Thanks all - probably take the punt and go for two new mark2 and hope if I have an issue they have not gone obsolete! Running pressures at 40 all round on the advice of the garage where I had them fitted last. The suggestion to avoid shoulder wear would be to run the fronts higher then I guess!? But by how much!?

Exact pressure depends on tyre/loading/etc but 40 is definitely on the low side, likely explains the shoulder wear you’re seeing. I run mine on 48psi all round but that’s on 17in wheels.

 

[Sasquatch]

I run the same size at 45PSI. That works for me but is itself a bit on the low side.

40 would be very low and would explain the pattern of wear you're experiencing,

 

[Captain Quick]

As the van is a 4Motion, according to VW technical literature, the rolling circumference of all tyres should be within 10mm of each other to avoid damaging transmission components, most notably the Haldex unit. If there’s a significant difference in tread depth between the current tyres and the new ones, all four tyres may need to be replaced.

 

[doncarlyon]

Tried to calculate this back to a tread depth variance. I reckon 2-3mm difference in tread depth would be the max amount to keep the circumference within 10mm

 

[Churchy]

As the van is a 4Motion, according to VW technical literature, the rolling circumference of all tyres should be within 10mm of each other to avoid damaging transmission components, most notably the Haldex unit. If there’s a significant difference in tread depth between the current tyres and the new ones, all four tyres may need to

 

[Churchy]

More useful info thank you! Average depth on current rears is about 4/5mm which given the cross climates when new are about 7mm means I should be ok with just two new tyres of the mark 2 version, put the new ones on the rear and current rears on the front? That way I think I’m within tolerances and am not mixing the mark 2 and 3 if I’m understanding everyone’s opinions and knowledge correctly!?
I’ve also inc pressures all round to 45psi.

 

[T6ARF]

I would definitely move your rear CC2’s to the front and have new CC3’s on the rear…. as you say the fronts will always wear out before the rears so soon enough you can have CC3’s all round. I’m in exactly the same position with the same tyres and the above is my plan.

 

[Churchy]

I would definitely move your rear CC2’s to the front and have new CC3’s on the rear…. as you say the fronts will always wear out before the rears so soon enough you can have CC3’s all round. I’m in exactly the same position with the same tyres and the above is my plan.

Great thank you - I’m the eternal self doubter and since it was highlighted about potential damage to the 4wd system it set my mind racing even more! Think I’ll follow your plan - is yours a 4motion?

 

[T6ARF]

Great thank you - I’m the eternal self doubter and since it was highlighted about potential damage to the 4wd system it set my mind racing even more! Think I’ll follow your plan - is yours a 4motion?

No mine’s just front wheel drive. I’ve always run my front pressure at 42 psi and they are suffering similar to yours (plenty of tread in the centre but wearing on the shoulders). Just this week I’ve upped the front pressure to 44 psi.
Worth noting also that at some point Michelin will discontinue the CC2’s so I’d definitely go for the new version CC3.

 

[VWDAZ71]

I have also recently upped my tyre pressures from 42 to 48psi because of tyre shoulder wear on my CC2’s

 

[Camper_Chris]

I run 235/55 17 Vederstine all season tyres ON MY HillsideBirchover. Normally I run at 3.0bar (43.5psi) Front and 2.9bar (42psi) Rear. The tire wear is pretty even. I up to 3.1bar all round when fully loaded.

 

[david173]

I ran CC2s 235/55/17 at the recommended 42psi and upped it to 48 as I was also seeing shoulder wear.

 

[Captain Quick]

I’m about to put a set of 215/60 R17 Michelin Agilis CrossClimate Cs on my LWB 4Motion T32 Birchover camper. I didn’t feel either the CrossClimate 2 or new 3 had an adequate load-rating for a fully loaded camper.

 

[Salty Spuds]

I’m about to put a set of 215/60 R17 Michelin Agilis CrossClimate Cs on my LWB 4Motion T32 Birchover camper. I didn’t feel either the CrossClimate 2 or new 3 had an adequate load-rating for a fully loaded camper.

A fine choice sir, suits you

 

[Churchy]

Received the following from VW - exert below if that helps anyone?

I hope this email finds you well.

Thank you for your patience while I confirmed your query regarding the changes you’re considering with Michelin CrossClimate 2 and CrossClimate 3 tyres.

I can confirm that it is acceptable to have the same type of tyre and size on the same axle. However, for optimal performance and safety, it is always advantageous to have all four tyres of the same type.

If you decide to proceed with Michelin CrossClimate 3 on the rear and move your CrossClimate 2 tyres to the front, this will not negatively impact the four-wheel-drive system, provided the tyres match in size and specification on each axle.

Please let me know if you need any further assistance or would like recommendations for Volkswagen-approved tyre options.