My 4x4 estate Superb needs a new front tyre. I’m planning to put an all weather tyre on the wheel. I think I should actually put two on so I have the same tyre on each end of the front axle.

However, I’ve been reading that in a 4x4 I need to replace all four tyres. Does this apply to the 4x4 system on a Superb? Thanks.

Nothing to do with 4x4 -- DO NOT put all-weather tyres on the front axle only (with summer tyres on the rear) of ANY car, the combination is potentially lethal. Brake in icy/snowy conditions and the back of the car will magically become the front as you spin...

 

Even mixing them the other way (all-weather at rear) is a bad idea (as is mixing on an axle), and might either be illegal (not sure about this) or invalidate insurance (if you have an accident).

As above, not great to have oodles more grip on the front over the rear. Various resources on michelin/youtube to explain the physics behind it.

 

I have minor niggles on having a brand new tyre on the left versus an old tyre on the left...you know this rolling radius differences, strain on the spinning bits... thats as technical as I get today.

 

I've traditionally bitten the bullet and done both sides but rotated new tyres to rear for most grip at the back. I've not mixed tyres types, eg winter summer, I can't imagine that's going to go well, but it probably would... mechanically. 

 

TBH if less than 3mm I switch tyres. I also don't switch patterns, even that can lead to grip variances and problems in cornering, wet, slushy, aquaplane/grip levels varying.

 

I'd either bite the bullet and swap all four to all season, or if space permitted, a spare set of winter/summer. TBH, unless you have to venture out in bad weather, or frequently head north, all seasons all year are going to be fine, ideal in summer when it rains hard too   

 

The S III 4x4 uses a Haldex Gen 5. Different roling radius is not an issue any more.

 

On the Haldex Gen 1, which used a hydraulic system different size / worn tyres could brake the clutch.

 

Do not mix summer tyres and winter / all season tyres. If you really need to do it, put the new all seasons on the back or you might get a 280BHP out of control rocket in dicy conditions.

From my own research I would agree with the advice above, and have just fitted 4 x Michelin Cross Climate+ to my 280. I also invested in some 18" Zenith "Platinum" (Grey) wheels for Winter, but may end up keeping them on rear-round. Early days but definitely noticeably quieter than the Pirelli P7s on the 19s, will report back on all round performance in due course.

 

K***-F** tyres in the UK have 15% off these at the moment plus some free headphones, that was the best deal I could find.

 

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"rear-round" should've been "year-round", but can't seem to find the option to edit a post

https://www.tyrereviews.com/Article/Thinking-about-fitting-just-two-all-season-or-winter-tyres.htm

3 hours ago, Just said:

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