Should new tires go in the front or back? Discuss

[old1030]

Just to preface this isn't a newbie question. Growing up I've always learned to put new tires up front especially on FWD cars. However a recent trip to a tire shop I was told that new tires should go in the back to prevent oversteering. I did some searches and got some mixed point of views on this subject, a lot of sites including tirerack also suggest putting the new tires in the back.



What do you guys think?

[misfire]

We've been trained that front wheel drive cars get the new tires in the rear. the reasoning being that you can install new tires up front and go into an uncontrolled slide due to tires in the rear with less tread. the perfect scenario is to do 4 tires.

[jdubhack]

Originally Posted by misfire

We've been trained that front wheel drive cars get the new tires in the rear. the reasoning being that you can install new tires up front and go into an uncontrolled slide due to tires in the rear with less tread. the perfect scenario is to do 4 tires.

Ditto this.

[Indy'sexclusiveZx3]

No matter rear wheel drive or front it is always the safest to put new tires in the rear, and some of the top know tire brands such as Michelin have done millions of dollars of research

[LouBomb]

Always in the rear

[cyfocus01]

hmm, what about tread squirm? winter traction with new tread in the front? 4 tires the smart choice. some budgets may contradict...

[misfire]

Originally Posted by Indy'sexclusiveZx3

No matter rear wheel drive or front it is always the safest to put new tires in the rear, and some of the top know tire brands such as Michelin have done millions of dollars of research

Yeah, I've had classes from the top brands telling us. They showed us videos showing us the difference of how control is lost by mounting front vs rear.


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[mikeb0916]

Originally Posted by LouBomb

Always in the rear

I know that it is safer to put the new tires on the rear wheels, but I have always put the new tires up front. I have been in a cycle for the past year and a half where the old set has about half its usable tread left, so it doesn't really bother me putting the new ones in the front. The next set I'm switching to either V12's or DW's and will be getting a complete set of four.

[02fordsvt]

For summer tires, I always put the best tread in front because it wears the tires more evenly and traction doesn't really matter as much given your driving on pavement dry or wet. I your still within the the tread wear marks and don't try driving 70 mph in the rain, you should never have a problems regardless of where the tires are.

For winter tires, I never put only two new tires on. Your only asking for trouble regardless of where you install the them. That said, I also put the best tread up front so they wear evenly as well.

[mikebontoft]

Think about this, it's very simple:

-front tire blowout... how well can you steer safely off the road?

-rear tire blowout... at least you still have some ability to steer

-winter driving... no excuse. Get good tires on all corners!