[TonyC]

With the Performance Pack, the rims are 9" in the rear and 8" rims in the front. Swapping front and rears to rotate tires, which one would do on an ICE car, is out of the question. Actually this would be typical of performance sedans like the BMW M3 and Audi RS4.

Stay safe everybody.
Tony

 

[Doc S]

From Polestar information document regarding Performance Pack: To match the improved performance of the wheels, the alloys are wrapped in performance-focused Continental SportContact 245/40R20 tyres front and rear that are unique for Polestar 2.
I'm not the most informed about this, but these tires will fit rims from 8.0 to 9.5" in width. Is there a reason they can't be rotated front to back?

 

[factor]

The tires are not staggered like those performance cars, only the wheels have different widths (not the tires).

So you can still rotate, but doing so would require dismounting the tires from the rims - which is extra labor compared to just moving the whole wheel/tire combo.

 

[Doc S]

The tires are not staggered like those performance cars, only the wheels have different widths (not the tires).

So you can still rotate, but doing so would require dismounting the tires from the rims - which is extra labor compared to just moving the whole wheel/tire combo.

Got it. Thanks.
I've ordered the 20 inch rims, non-PP, but I haven't found any information on wheel size yet. I'm just assuming all four wheel will be the same size, but this Polestar experience is full of surprises.

 

[ProfessorCook]

I don't want to go on about this and irritate people, but from an engineering and physics viewpoint, I see no benefit to rotating your tires. In fact, I see detriment. Let me know if you want an explanation.

 

[polerad]

What’s the implication of different size front/rear wheels?
Does it make for a bigger tire patch on one end, making for more traction/grip on that end?

 

[toscal353]

Tyre rotation was, i believe, introduced to even out tyre wear, which could be heavy on a front wheel drive only car, but not sure how tyre wear will be a 4WD heavy car. The fronts are subject to steering wheel turn, whereas the rears can be 'dragged' during a turn. time will tell i guess.

 

[ProfessorCook]

That's my point. Tires wear themselves or adapt to their position. Then the wear rate diminishes. Rotate them and you increase wear rate again for a while. Tires won't last as long and they'll not handle as well after the rotation.

 

[ProfessorCook]

What’s the implication of different size front/rear wheels?
Does it make for a bigger tire patch on one end, making for more traction/grip on that end?

It makes a differently shaped tire patch and the sidewalls react a bit differently. Narrower rim equals more curvature in the sidewall.

How all this affects performance, I really don't know. But I have faith that some Polestar engineering team does. I bet the performance differences are pretty subtle.

 

[thewallaby]

It makes a differently shaped tire patch and the sidewalls react a bit differently. Narrower rim equals more curvature in the sidewall.

How all this affects performance, I really don't know. But I have faith that some Polestar engineering team does. I bet the performance differences are pretty subtle.

It compensates for inadequate camber/wheel calibration and balancing.... Thats why Tesla is charging people in Norway over 300 USD to ''rotate'' the wheels.... so they dont have to get blamed for tyres running bald after a year and a half... Welcome to the age where cars are not supposed to last longer than your phone but marketing convinced everyone that EVs have 0 cost for a trillion miles 🤣

 

[TonyC]

It will be interesting to see how the tires wear with an even weight distribution. The wider rims on the rear may help compensate for understeer. I know Audi make the rear track narrower than the front to help compensate for this.
It will also be interesting to see how the even weight distribution and the lower centre of gravity effects wear on the front control arms and tie rods. This may be parts that benefit but time will tell.

 

[Hotspur]

Volvo does not recommend rotating tires on our XC90 T8.

 

[ProfessorCook]

Volvo does not recommend rotating tires on our XC90 T8.

Buried in the manual for my BMW E92 (328i coupe) I found the same thing... that tire rotation was not recommended. However, when I went to the dealer, they strongly recommended tire rotation and seemed surprised that the manufacturer didn't. Long discussions followed. I'm a convert. Keep the tires where you find them. When one wears out, replace both tires on that axle. No need to replace all four at the same time.

 

[KanedaKid]

How is everyone's tire wear on the Continentals? I'm reading reviews on Tyrereviews.com and based on the comments I'm wondering if they will wear out prematurely. I don't know how to properly measure the tire wear or read the indicator. I'll likely have 30k km on this car before the first service.

 

[Joel S.]

How is everyone's tire wear on the Continentals? I'm reading reviews on Tyrereviews.com and based on the comments I'm wondering if they will wear out prematurely. I don't know how to properly measure the tire wear or read the indicator. I'll likely have 30k km on this car before the first service.

Get an American penny.
Tire Wear & Replacement | Tire Care | Certified Service (mycertifiedservice.com)

(The indicator basically just tells you when to change. When the bars are even with the tread you need new tires.)

 

[motty225]

I killed a set of conti's in 6k swapped them for PS4S and they are lasting much longer, and have more confidence in the car with this tyre

 

[LA EV FAN]

I killed a set of conti's in 6k swapped them for PS4S and they are lasting much longer, and have more confidence in the car with this tyre

Once you swap to Michelin’s, you will never drive on anything else!! I was bummed to see Conti’s when I took delivery! I too will swap to PS4S when the Conti’s are done! Curious, on my PP spec car, is it true that the front rim are 8” and the rear are 9” running the same tire size not allowing for rotation?? They look identical to me??

 

[Joel S.]

Once you swap to Michelin’s, you will never drive on anything else!! I was bummed to see Conti’s when I took delivery! I too will swap to PS4S when the Conti’s are done! Curious, on my PP spec car, is it true that the front rim are 8” and the rear are 9” running the same tire size not allowing for rotation?? They look identical to me??

Yes, same with the non PP, rears wheels are wider. If you pop the center caps off (tool is in the frunk) they're marked front and rear.

I'm waiting for their new EV tire.

 

[Jeff_in_SF]

I killed a set of conti's in 6k swapped them for PS4S and they are lasting much longer, and have more confidence in the car with this tyre

Did you notice any difference in road noise switching to a tire without the foam inserts?

 

[PolestarMG]

That's my point. Tires wear themselves or adapt to their position. Then the wear rate diminishes. Rotate them and you increase wear rate again for a while. Tires won't last as long and they'll not handle as well after the rotation.

Probably correct, though the common rationale for rotation is about even wear as opposed to longevity. Probably less of a concern on an AWD vehicle with 50/50 weight distribution, but there’s almost certainly still some differences in torque and cornering wear, wear on steering wheels vs. not, and of course more or less overall contact due to different wheel widths.

All of that said, Polestar can’t be too concerned about it with a recommended 2-year maintenance interval.