Different tyres/tires on A3 Quattro
 

I've just picked up an X-reg A3 1.8T Quattro from a dealer. Looking
through the manual it says

"On vehicles with 4wd all 4 wheels must always be fitted with tyres
of the same type, make, and tread pattern, so that the drive system is
not damaged as a result of constant differences in the wheel speeds"

Mine's got (newish) Pirelli P6000 tyres on both front and one rear
wheel, with a (more worn) Michelin Primacy on the other rear wheel.
(All 205/55 R 16 91W)

Is this a problem?

Thanks for any advice, Reg

Re: Different tyres/tires on A3 Quattro
 

reg.gough@hotmail.co.uk wrote:
> I've just picked up an X-reg A3 1.8T Quattro from a dealer. Looking
> through the manual it says
>
> "On vehicles with 4wd all 4 wheels must always be fitted with tyres
> of the same type, make, and tread pattern, so that the drive system is
> not damaged as a result of constant differences in the wheel speeds"
>
> Mine's got (newish) Pirelli P6000 tyres on both front and one rear
> wheel, with a (more worn) Michelin Primacy on the other rear wheel.
> (All 205/55 R 16 91W)
>
> Is this a problem?

IMO, I think you've answered your own question. The manual is quite
specific in this regard as you've found. Although my current car is not
a Quattro, I recall a 4wd that I did have before and having to change
all four tyres at once to prevent any damage. I believe this is still
the case (although I could be wrong).

Best get it checked professionally and replaced as necessary.

Have you checked the spare? Is it a P6000 also?

Re: Different tyres/tires on A3 Quattro
 

reg.gough@hotmail.co.uk wrote:
> I've just picked up an X-reg A3 1.8T Quattro from a dealer. Looking
> through the manual it says
>
> "On vehicles with 4wd all 4 wheels must always be fitted with tyres
> of the same type, make, and tread pattern, so that the drive system is
> not damaged as a result of constant differences in the wheel speeds"
>
> Mine's got (newish) Pirelli P6000 tyres on both front and one rear
> wheel, with a (more worn) Michelin Primacy on the other rear wheel.
> (All 205/55 R 16 91W)
>
> Is this a problem?

IMO, I think you've answered your own question. The manual is quite
specific in this regard as you've found. Although my current car is not
a Quattro, I recall a 4wd that I did have before and having to change
all four tyres at once to prevent any damage. I believe this is still
the case (although I could be wrong).

Best get it checked professionally and replaced as necessary.

Have you checked the spare? Is it a P6000 also?

Re: Different tyres/tires on A3 Quattro
 

reg.gough@hotmail.co.uk wrote:
> I've just picked up an X-reg A3 1.8T Quattro from a dealer. Looking
> through the manual it says
>
> "On vehicles with 4wd all 4 wheels must always be fitted with tyres
> of the same type, make, and tread pattern, so that the drive system is
> not damaged as a result of constant differences in the wheel speeds"
>
> Mine's got (newish) Pirelli P6000 tyres on both front and one rear
> wheel, with a (more worn) Michelin Primacy on the other rear wheel.
> (All 205/55 R 16 91W)
>
> Is this a problem?

IMO, I think you've answered your own question. The manual is quite
specific in this regard as you've found. Although my current car is not
a Quattro, I recall a 4wd that I did have before and having to change
all four tyres at once to prevent any damage. I believe this is still
the case (although I could be wrong).

Best get it checked professionally and replaced as necessary.

Have you checked the spare? Is it a P6000 also?

Re: Different tyres/tires on A3 Quattro
 

> I've just picked up an X-reg A3 1.8T Quattro from a dealer. Looking
> through the manual it says
>
> "On vehicles with 4wd all 4 wheels must always be fitted with tyres
> of the same type, make, and tread pattern, so that the drive system is
> not damaged as a result of constant differences in the wheel speeds"
>
> Mine's got (newish) Pirelli P6000 tyres on both front and one rear
> wheel, with a (more worn) Michelin Primacy on the other rear wheel.
> (All 205/55 R 16 91W)
>
> Is this a problem?

The A3 is fitted with the Haldex 4WD system. AFAIK, this system is more
resilient to differing tyres than the Torsen system of larger Audis. It
would still be better to have all tyres of the same manufacturer and type.

Re: Different tyres/tires on A3 Quattro
 

> I've just picked up an X-reg A3 1.8T Quattro from a dealer. Looking
> through the manual it says
>
> "On vehicles with 4wd all 4 wheels must always be fitted with tyres
> of the same type, make, and tread pattern, so that the drive system is
> not damaged as a result of constant differences in the wheel speeds"
>
> Mine's got (newish) Pirelli P6000 tyres on both front and one rear
> wheel, with a (more worn) Michelin Primacy on the other rear wheel.
> (All 205/55 R 16 91W)
>
> Is this a problem?

The A3 is fitted with the Haldex 4WD system. AFAIK, this system is more
resilient to differing tyres than the Torsen system of larger Audis. It
would still be better to have all tyres of the same manufacturer and type.

Re: Different tyres/tires on A3 Quattro
 

> I've just picked up an X-reg A3 1.8T Quattro from a dealer. Looking
> through the manual it says
>
> "On vehicles with 4wd all 4 wheels must always be fitted with tyres
> of the same type, make, and tread pattern, so that the drive system is
> not damaged as a result of constant differences in the wheel speeds"
>
> Mine's got (newish) Pirelli P6000 tyres on both front and one rear
> wheel, with a (more worn) Michelin Primacy on the other rear wheel.
> (All 205/55 R 16 91W)
>
> Is this a problem?

The A3 is fitted with the Haldex 4WD system. AFAIK, this system is more
resilient to differing tyres than the Torsen system of larger Audis. It
would still be better to have all tyres of the same manufacturer and type.

Re: Different tyres/tires on A3 Quattro
 

I have the Torsen system on my A4, and have been told that as long as
the tires on the same axle are the same and have similar tread wear
(i.e., within about 3%), you're okay. That said, isn't the Haldex
system a part-time system? That is, the car is FWD until slippage is
sensed and the Haldex sends power to the rear wheels? Versus my A4,
which is full-time AWD... The only reason I mention this is that if the
mis-matched tires are on the rear, it would not be as big an issue with
your car (with part-time AWD) than on mine (with full-time AWD).

Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA

Re: Different tyres/tires on A3 Quattro
 

I have the Torsen system on my A4, and have been told that as long as
the tires on the same axle are the same and have similar tread wear
(i.e., within about 3%), you're okay. That said, isn't the Haldex
system a part-time system? That is, the car is FWD until slippage is
sensed and the Haldex sends power to the rear wheels? Versus my A4,
which is full-time AWD... The only reason I mention this is that if the
mis-matched tires are on the rear, it would not be as big an issue with
your car (with part-time AWD) than on mine (with full-time AWD).

Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA

Re: Different tyres/tires on A3 Quattro
 

I have the Torsen system on my A4, and have been told that as long as
the tires on the same axle are the same and have similar tread wear
(i.e., within about 3%), you're okay. That said, isn't the Haldex
system a part-time system? That is, the car is FWD until slippage is
sensed and the Haldex sends power to the rear wheels? Versus my A4,
which is full-time AWD... The only reason I mention this is that if the
mis-matched tires are on the rear, it would not be as big an issue with
your car (with part-time AWD) than on mine (with full-time AWD).

Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA