Should New Tires Be Installed on the Front or Rear of the Car?
2 Answers
Whether new tires should be installed on the front or rear of the car depends on the vehicle's drive type: front-wheel drive vehicles should have them on the front wheels; rear-wheel drive vehicles should have them on the rear wheels. The functions of tires are: 1. To transmit driving force, braking force, and steering force to enable vehicle operation; 2. To support the vehicle load; 3. To reduce and absorb vibrations and impact forces during driving, preventing severe vibrations from damaging vehicle components. Tire maintenance methods include: 1. Regularly cleaning stones from tire treads; 2. Minimizing exposure to direct sunlight; 3. Promptly checking tire pressure; 4. Paying attention to suspension maintenance; 5. Regularly inspecting front-wheel alignment; 6. Adopting careful driving habits, choosing smooth road surfaces, avoiding objects that could puncture or scratch the tires, and steering clear of chemical spills that may corrode the tires.
Having driven for half a lifetime, I've learned from experience that it's best to install new tires on the rear wheels. If the rear tires lose traction, the car is more prone to losing control, especially when cornering or driving on wet roads during rainy days—you can really feel the instability. I remember last summer when I put new tires on the rear, I immediately noticed a significant improvement in grip on the highway, with much less tendency to drift. Although the front tires wear out faster due to steering, safety should always come first. Regularly checking tire wear and keeping newer tires on the rear can extend their lifespan. Overall, whether it's a front-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive car, installing new tires on the rear gives you a greater sense of security while driving.
