'04 XC70 -- Snow Tires, Uneven Tread Wear

[E Showell]

I have a used set of Michelin Ice X winter tires on steelies that I want to put on Ruby Red ('04 XC 70). They were on former owner's XC70. There's probably a 1.5 mm difference in tread depth between front & rear set of wheels. Will that level of discrepancy mess up the Haldex unit?

Deep treads in front or rear -- tire rack suggest rear? Discuss.

[erikv11]

I always put deeper treads on the front, where they wear faster and will "catch up" to the rear. If there is a wear difference now, there won't be one soon.

Otherwise you are unable to rotate directional tires at all, or stuck keeping each set on the same end until the wear imbalance gets out of hand and then forced to buy tires two at a time. When you go to rotate your tires the fronts will by definition be more worn than the rears - the whole argument to keep the deeper tread pair on the rear makes no practical sense unless the difference is huge.

[Rattnalle]

1,5 mm won't make a difference is my bet.

Front/rear is the same I'd say, small enough difference not to matter too much. Safety is better with best tyres in the rear so the car is less likely to oversteer. But if they're all good that doesn't make as of much of a difference as if you get two new tyres together with two that you're waiting until next year to replace.

[abscate]

Jim is referenced as posting the Volvo spec of 3/32 inch.

So 1/11 of 1inch = 25.4 mm is 2.2mm

If we can confirm the 3/32 spec, you are good. Jim gets this stuff right 99% of the time

[E Showell]

Ok. Deeper in front to equalize wear.

[Georgeandkira]

If misery loves company, that's what I do. ...though I have FWD.

I doubt the educated and urbane visitors to this site would drive in snow to the point where limits of turning geometry would kick in.

[abscate]

Keith Urbane drives Volvo?

Nautic Blue ain’t his colour ?

[Rattnalle]

If misery loves company, that's what I do. ...though I have FWD.

I doubt the educated and urbane visitors to this site would drive in snow to the point where limits of turning geometry would kick in.

It's if you don't drive often in snow these things make the most difference. Those of us who make it a point to go out skidding around in it get more used to it. Next car has to be rwd though..

[erikv11]

... make it a point to go out skidding around in it get more used to it. ...

So, so true.

[Rattnalle]

Plus it's fun