When fitting new car tyres, which gives safer handling - putting the newer tyres to the rear or front?

Question

When fitting new car tyres, which gives safer handling - putting the newer tyres to the rear or front?
I've always had my new tyres fitted to the front wheels of my front wheel drive car (if it was the rear tyres I was replacing, I'd put the front wheels to the rear and the new tyres on the front) as it seemed logical to place the newer tyres on the front where most wear takes place. However, I have heard lately from more than one source that putting the newer tyres to the rear each time gives better handling leading to better performance and (more importantly to me) more safety when braking and/or swerving sharply - even if the vehicle is front wheel drive - apparently this is something about reducing 'oversteer' which means little to me. Could anyone who has a good knowledge of this area please enlighten me? Which is safer?

Answer 1

OK, you've read a lot of opinion. Now it is time for the first answer based on facts.

The Rubber Manufacturers Association and ALL the major tire manufacturers are in 100% agreement that when replacing only 2 tires those new tires should be mounted on the REAR AXLE.

There are no exceptions.

This is to prevent an oversteering condition which could result in a spin. Oversteer is simply when the rear wheels lose traction while the front wheels still grip. Particularly on a FWD car oversteer will usually lead to a snap spin which is almost impossible for even the most highly experienced driver to control. A vehicle with 2 new tires on the rear is more controllable adn thus safer in adverse weather than a vehicle with the 2 new tires on the front axle. I have proven this myself on the test track many times.

Michelin have a video on their web site devoted specifically to this question. This may help you understand better the dynamics involved.

http://www.michelinman.com/tire-care/tire-basics/

If they went to that much trouble, they must take the issue seriously.

Also:

Bridgestone Technical Bulletin P-03-07 April 2003

For various reasons, consumers will sometimes wish to replace only two tires on their vehicles. Frequently, it is the two front tires that need replacing and the obvious places to mount the new tires are the front positions.

However, Bridgestone/Firestone policy is to mount the new tires on the rear axle, regardless of whether the vehicle is front-wheel or rear-wheel drive.

During wet weather, rear tire traction is important to maintain vehicle stability and prevent an oversteer condition. Wet traction is improved with new tires due to the deeper tread depth and newer tread compound characteristics, so the new tires should be mounted on the rear positions.

ASE Certified Automotive Service Advisor working in the tire industry for 5 years with a wall full of tire training certificates.

Answer 2

I usually put the new tyres on the rear for the first 300 miles to wear the shine off then change them to the front. The last time I put new to the front when replacing only two tyres I had problems with hard braking and ended up hitting a bank.

Answer 3

New tyres should always be fitted at the front. The vehicle is controlled by the steering wheel and its the front tyres that control the direction you choose to turn. The front wheels are the first that go in a swerve. Worn tyres at the front may cause the car to go straight even when the steering wheel is turned when the car is going in high speeds.

Answer 4

In a front wheel drive, the front wheels have to do all the steering, lay down all the power and provide 90% of the braking as well. The best tyres should go on the front. If the front end loses it you're into understeer, or "straight-on-itis".

Oversteer occurs when the back wheels break away, and is usually caused by excess power being provided to the REAR wheels. You'll have a hell of a job to induce oversteer deliberately in a front wheel drive car, let alone accidentally.

Answer 5

If it is a front drive car, the power and steering are done by the front wheels, causing faster wear on the front, and for this reason it is best to put newer tyres on the front and the older ones to the rear, mainly for longevity of the tyres themselves. Also, 90% of the braking is done by the front wheels, so it is definitely more sensible to have the better tyres on the front.

Answer 6

The current advice is to have the best tyres on the rear.

The reason being that if the front tyres start to slide, it is easy to control (lift off the accelerator, apply more lock).
If the rear wheels start to slide, there is no easy way to catch it (particularly on a front-drive car), and the natural reaction of lifting-off actually makes things worse.

Answer 7

For front wheel drive cars the drive, braking and steering actions are all done by the front wheels, so naturally these would all improve with better traction.The only thing that would improve by putting new tires on the back wheels of a front wheel drive is less chance of jack-knife, which can be avoided anyway with proper driving for the road conditions. However, it is recomended that you replace all four tires together if possible so you can rotate them appropriatly and leads to a quieter and better all around ride.

Answer 8

Varies from car to car - you should take advice from your tyre fitter.

Current trend is to replace in pairs and to always move diagonally - but to be honest - ask your tyre fitter

The comment about reducing oversteer was clearly made by someone that knows nothing about these things:

Oversteer - back end of the car tries to go past the front end

Understeer - car tries to go straight on

Oversteer is cause by extreme loss of grip in front wheel drive cars and is very rare - in rear wheel drive cars it is too much power

Answer 9

Front tire replacement with the new or better is still recommended, especially with front wheel drive. There is more wear on the front tires and in the event of a blow out, a car is easier to control if a rear tire fails, rather than the front.

Answer 10

I am with you on this one mate i thought that you put the newest tyre on the drive wheels but i heard lately that this is wrong, i am as confused as you i am afraid.
If in doubt ask the tyre fitter.