Changing car tires is a task that should not be neglected. Over time, tires need to be replaced due to wear and tear over time. You may have learned the art of changing tires over the years, but what might be confusing is whether to install new tires on front or back.
Read on to steer clear of any confusion regarding the same.
Contents
New Tires on Front or Back- What Really Works?
Do not run your cars on old tires when you know that your safety and the car’s engine efficiency are in danger. It is required to usually give a chance to two of the tires out of the four, but the question is which ones to replace. Let’s explore the factors associated with helping you make better.
1. The rear is always the best
There are two terms that you need to get familiar with. On is oversteer, i.e., the car’s propensity to take a turn more than what was intended. The other is grip or traction, i.e., the ability of a car not to lose its stability.
Installing tires on the rear helps with both of them. It is a fact that the new and appropriately treaded tires help in preventing hydroplaning. This is a condition where a film of water builds up between the car’s wheels and the road, thus loss of traction.
When you move ahead on wet terrain with the old tires in the front, hydroplaning would occur. In case it happens, the car would understeer, i.e., it would want to move straight ahead. Controlling such a situation is comparatively easier when you have new tires at the rear. All you need to do is decelerate. Next time anyone asks you whether to install new tires on front or back, know that it is always the back.
2. Why not the front?
It is a fact that the front tires wear out much faster than the rear ones. You may think that replacing the newer ones on the front would be the right thing. But it is not! We have discussed with you what hydroplaning is, and the same concept applies here.
When worn-out tires are present on the rear, they may tend to hydroplane when driving through wet terrains. This would lead to rear tires losing traction sooner than expected.
Such a situation would further lead to oversteer, i.e., the car would be up for a spin. As a matter of fact, oversteer is intricate to control. You would gradually lose control when the car starts drifting, even after you decelerate. In case you are out in the snowy terrains, the situation could be even dangerous. Know when to replace tires by referring to maintenance tips.
3. The critical exception: What about all-wheel and four-wheel drive cars?
While the ‘new tires on the rear’ rule applies to front-wheel and rear-wheel drive cars, there is a critical exception for All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and 4-Wheel Drive (4WD) vehicles. For these cars, the only safe recommendation is to replace all four tires at the same time.
AWD systems are engineered to work with four tires that have the same circumference. A significant difference in tread depth between new and worn tires can strain the drivetrain, potentially causing severe and costly damage to the transfer case or differentials. If you own an AWD or 4WD vehicle, always replace your tires as a full set.
Watch the video to know “Is it better to Put New Tires on the Front or Back?
Conclusion
In the end, the debate over where to install new tires comes down to a simple, non-negotiable principle of physics: it is always safer to control a car that understeers than one that oversteers. By placing new tires on the rear axle, you give your vehicle the best possible grip where it’s needed most, preventing a dangerous spin-out.
While it may feel counterintuitive, especially for front-wheel-drive cars, the expert advice is unanimous. Trust the science, not your gut. Prioritize stability, install new tires on the rear, and drive with the confidence that your car is set up for maximum safety.
I have a different opinion, I think that while what has been documented here is true in certain weather conditions but surely not in the tropical regions where high temperatures are the order of the day. In this regard, it is better to always have good front tires otherwise tire burst would soon take your life on highways.
I though so as well
Do we have any similarities between braking (dics and drum) and tires?
Does this also apply to front puller vehicles?
Does this also apply to fron tpuller vehicles?
My daughter just got her first car, so I wanted to give her some tips before she moves out and goes to college. I didn’t know you were supposed to put new tires on the rear of your car if you’re only putting two tires on. I’ll have to show this to my daughter, so we can find a shop that sells and can put new tires on her car at a reasonable price, thanks to this post!