2 of my tyres are getting near replacement levels - where would you put the new tyres? Front or back?

Edited 23 August, 20178 yr by S00perb

From what I understand, it's suggested to put new tyres on the rear as understeer is easier to control than oversteer

10 minutes ago, langers2k said:

From what I understand, it's suggested to put new tyres on the rear as understeer is easier to control than oversteer

Although that advise does make sense, most of the braking is done by the front wheels.  As I stop much more often than I misjudge a corner (can't remember the last time that happened) I always have the best tyres on the front.  When my front tyres are down to around 5mm tread depth (the backs are when usually at 6-1/2mm or so) I swap with the back and then fit 4 new tyres when all tyres are down to 2-1/2 mm or so.  I also have a set of winter tyres.

Edited 23 August, 20178 yr by philbes

I was always told what philbes has said when a car is FWD - best tyres on the front. 

I don't dispute that most the braking is done by the front axle, I'm just echoing the advise given by various organisations and tyre manufactures.

 

For once, they all seem to agree, or at least the results I've come across do...

 

https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/safety/car-tyres

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Check your handbook first but if it doesn’t give any specific advice then, whether your car’s front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive the best/newest tyres should be on the back.

 

Making sure you have your best tyres on the back will favour ‘understeer’ rather than ‘oversteer’ when grip is limited such as in very wet or cold conditions.

Understeer – the car tends to go straight on even though you’re turning the wheel.
Oversteer – the back end breaks free and the car is likely to spin.

 

Tyres with deeper tread grooves are less likely to puncture too and it's more difficult to control a car with a damaged rear tyre than one with a damaged front tyre.

 

http://www.michelin.co.uk/tyres/learn-share/care-guide/ten-tyre-care-tips

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Rear wheels are not connected to your steering wheel, which makes it extremely difficult to judge their grip while driving. We recommend that new tyres or the least worn tyres are fitted to the rear wheels to ensure:

- Better control in emergency braking or tight corners when the roads are slippery.
- Less risk of losing control of your vehicle, especially on wet surfaces
- Better road holding, particularly in difficult situations, whether your car is front or rear wheel drive

 

http://www.continental-tyres.co.uk/car/technology/tyre-knowledge/tirelexicon-3-0/tirelexikon-3-7

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If only one axle set of tyres is replaced, then it is generally recommended to install the newest tyres on the rear axle. This may complicate tyre rotation, and caution is urged if the tyres have significant differences, such as state of wear, tyre size, construction, and speed ratings. Consult a trained tyre specialist for best practices.

 

Placing greater grip on the rear axle is generally recommended to prevent a possible over steer condition and loss of vehicle stability on slippery surfaces. Some car manufacturers recommend to install the newest tyres on the front axle. Consult with the car manufacturer and / or tyre specialist for further information.

 

https://www.goodyear.eu/en_gb/consumer/learn/when-to-replace-your-tires.html

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For better traction and stability when you drive, if you are only buying two new tyres put them on the rear wheels.

 

That is fairly conclusive - but certainly not what my first thought would have been = thanks for the research

 

I have always put the new tyres on the front. So interesting articles, though they talk about not getting enough information through the car on how the rear tyres grip but as I do not "push" my car I think I will leave the new tyres on the front.

1 hour ago, langers2k said:

I'm just echoing the advise given by various organisations and tyre manufactures.

 

Thanks for going to the effort and assembling that information in your reply - interesting to read and a valuable safety topic to discovert I've been wrong about.

 

Note to self: administer a kick in the butt and remember to double check assumptions on items important as tyres. 

 

1 hour ago, Danny 57 said:

....as I do not "push" my car I think I will leave the new tyres on the front

 

In my case, I'll put them on the back. Too many sharp bends where I live - fun to drive - but means it's best for me to favour directional stability. 

As far as possible I try to rotate the tyres around the car periodically so the set wears at the same rate and I replace all 4 together. If I had to replace 2 on their own I'd probably favour the front for reasons of steering and braking, notwithstanding the excellent points made in those articles above. If the other pair was so badly worn that the difference in grip between axles would be an issue, I'd rather replace the full set.

I've put the new ones on the rear for the reasons Langers2K describes. If you lose grip in a corner it'll usually be understeer, backing off the throttle will reduce understeer (in most modern cars, but not my 205GTI) and you'll have a better chance of recovering. Losing grip on the rear will require Ari Vatanen counter steering skills, of which my wife has none.

Edited 23 August, 20178 yr by williamshatnerspants

If I'm ever in a position to replace only 2 tyres I put the new ones on the rear.  Mainly because I want to wear out the older two tyres ASAP and if they are left on the rear, they tend to get a bit old and hard / aged.  When I replace those two I tend to put them on the front. (yes, a contradiction)

 

I try not to get in that situation by X-rotating my tyres when the fronts get 2-3mm lower than the rears.  (not quite X-rotate.  Fronts go to rear.  Rears go to opposite front).

 

I think with modern stability control systems and anti-lock brakes, the issue with best on rear isn't as big a problem as it used to be

Edited 24 August, 20178 yr by brad1.8T

What you have to bear in mind is that much of that advice is opinion driven and comes from days of yore when we were driving around with 100mm wide cross ply tyres.

When was the last time you oversteered a FWD car?

If you have perhaps you need to look at your driving rather than your tyres.

The last RWD car I had was equipped with traction control so I was happy to push it a bit, one thing I noticed was there was not much difference in grip between new and worn tyres even when very wet.