Where do you fit new tyres???

[ifti]

Lets consider the most common scenario - front tyres are wearing down and need replacement soon, while rear tyres seem to have plenty of tread remaining.

Now lets say you purchase 2 new tyres to replace the two worn ones at the front - forget the tyre make for the moment.....

Would you.....

1. Remove the rear tyres (that still have good tread) and put these on the front. Then put the two new tyres on the rear....

OR...

2. Put the new tyres straight on the front to replace the worn ones, and leave the rears as they are...??


Under normal circumstances, i would probably have chosen no.2 above, but Ive just read this article, which was pretty interesting...

http://www.michelin.co.uk/michelinuk/en/car-van-4x4/less-worn-tyres-rear/20070314172074.html

So, what do you usually do in this situation?

[JonnyG]

I actually rotate mine so that they all wear out together 

That way you can wait longer and save up for 4 new ones, of a different brand if wanted, with no worries about mixing 

[rskardon]

I had my new ones on the back for a while (contisport 3's) but swapped them with the front as they are Pirelli P6000 (came with the car, blatantly cheapo's as they were nearly new, i suspect they were put on before the owner sold it) anyway swapped them so the new ones are on the front and she's handling tons better.

I havent notied any issues with handling, feels good,

R

[matthewsimone]

if your rears really are still in good condition then id be tempted to stick them on the front and wack the new ones on rear that way the rears should last a couple of years and you can stick a new set on the front in 6 months time and have good rubber all round as rears should still be like new tbh only my way of thinking obviously 

[dan_apps]

put the new ones on the front, fwd & steer cars will handle alot better than having partly worn ones on there!

[Hurdy]

I've always put the new tyres on the rear. It is the more sensible, safe option and the rear is less likely to snap oversteer with more grip at the back.

[R32UK]

the rule is to put the better ones on the back and move the rears to the front. Option 1!!

[ub7rm]

New rubber on the front.  FWD car.  Lions share of the braking, all the power and of course the steering goes through them - why would you wan't anything but the freshest rubber there?  The back wheels are effectively castors to stop the boot being dragged on the floor.

If you drive like a lunatic and your back end often comes out - you need to stop driving like a tit.  In ten years of driving this has never happened to me and I do enjoy the odd B road thrash now and again.  A slightly weaker argument is that with ESP you are much less likely to end up deid these days.

I understand the point fully, and there is some merit to it, but ultimately if you find yourself in the situation that your back end is flicking out (and its not due to ice / diesel spill etc etc) its your driving that needs adjusting - not the tyres!

[dan_apps]

^^well put!

[R32UK]

^^^Thats not actually true.


If you have to slam on for whatever reason would you want your back end loosing grip or the front?? Likewise for any other situation where you have to swerve to avoid something, hit a pot hole or and other obstruction.

The front of the car car be steered where as once the rear has gone it has gone. Your also forgetting about the balance of the car under breaking.