Tyres - which axle?

[Gresley]

I'm having two new tyres fitted on Saturday and was wondering if it's best to put them on the front or rear axle, or doesn't it matter? If this rain keeps up they will certainly be tested whichever axle they are on!

Brian.

[Seaking]

I would go for the fronts as most braking effort is through the front.

[Kevin Garrod]

I've read that you should put the best tyres on the rear, the reason is to reduce the chances of a spin if you lose grip.
I've never bothered, if I'm not changing all four I just put the new tyre wherever its needed.

[wilf]

Tyre fitters should (should!) tell you to put them on the rear to avoid oversteer amd insist on doing just that.

The H&S establishment lives in dread of oversteer, heaven forbid. Let's ban that and ensure we have lots of nice safe understeer.

Me, I prefer better steering and braking via best tyres on the front, but to be fair, the disparity in wear (and hence grip) on the tyres between the two axles should not be allowed to become too great anyway.

[V Mad]

I agree with Wilf; I would rather not lose control of the front wheels. Sideways is more fun

[Gresley]

Thanks guys, mmm... I think I prefer the idea of better braking and steering so will put them on the front. The difference in tread will not be massive anyway so I hope not to get any oversteer!!!

Brian.

[ethel]

Another vote for the back for the new tyres, assuming they've got better grip then they should follow where the front ones lead them.
john.

[badenstag]

Hi,

a definite vote to put them on the rear axle, as I was told and demonstrated at a drivers security training. Main reason: rear axle is in charge for stabilisation.

Regards

Gerd

[73stagman]

If the tread of any tyre is so poor that it may lose grip then it is scrap surely! I would have thought you replace the ones that are worn...

having said that whenever I have to change two for cash strapped reasons I ALWAYS put the new ones on the back! why? I dont know My dad did that his dad did that so I guess thats why I do that. I have also swapped tyres that have worn oddly due to poor front alignment to the back and put the better back ones on the front after the alignment has been sorted out to even up the wear on all four tyres. Worked a treat!

[V Mad]

What a divisive subject! Brian you have really started something now!

[Bandit1200]

Compromise and put the 2 new tyres on the nearside

[72BLUE]

Compromise and put the 2 new tyres on the nearside

Surely diagonally opposite is best.........

[Motorsport Micky]

New tyres on the rear makes for safer driving, softer new compound (even on like for like tyres) gives better grip and if the front of the car washes out (understeers) you have a choice.

1) Get off the throttle and allow the front of the car to regain grip and step back in.
Slower but a sure way to regain full control and safer.

2) Get on the throttle even more, increasing the slip angles on the rear tyres (and therefore reduce the grip) allowing the understeering front tyres to regain more grip by decreasing their slip angles and drift the car around the corner balancing it on the throttle.
Faster but until you can persuade your brain that the wall/hedge/ditch/vehicle you are heading towards can be avoided by putting even more power on will give you brown trousers, and until you are competent at balancing the car between the two excesses of steering effort more dangerous. (don't do this on public roads and especially when I'm near you !).

New tyres on the rear also increases tyre life. The hot cold cycle all tyres experience harden off the new compound and when you swap tyres onto the harder worked front tyres (combined braking and steering loads) the tyres don't wear as fast. For this reason alone don't expect tyre firms to prefer this, Turkeys voting for Christmas ?

[72BLUE]

New tyres on the rear makes for safer driving, softer new compound (even on like for like tyres) gives better grip and if the front of the car washes out (understeers) you have a choice.

1) Get off the throttle and allow the front of the car to regain grip and step back in.
Slower but a sure way to regain full control and safer.

2) Get on the throttle even more, increasing the slip angles on the rear tyres (and therefore reduce the grip) allowing the understeering front tyres to regain more grip by decreasing their slip angles and drift the car around the corner balancing it on the throttle.
Faster but until you can persuade your brain that the wall/hedge/ditch/vehicle you are heading towards can be avoided by putting even more power on will give you brown trousers, and until you are competent at balancing the car between the two excesses of steering effort more dangerous. (don't do this on public roads and especially when I'm near you !).

New tyres on the rear also increases tyre life. The hot cold cycle all tyres experience harden off the new compound and when you swap tyres onto the harder worked front tyres (combined braking and steering loads) the tyres don't wear as fast. For this reason alone don't expect tyre firms to prefer this, Turkeys voting for Christmas ?

errrrr, Wow! I think that settles it then! Great first post btw

[Gresley]

What a divisive subject! Brian you have really started something now!

Ooops, seems like it!! I will end up with four good tyres as I have two about half worn and two which need changing, currently one on the front and one on the back!!

Brian