Should New Tires Be Placed in the Front or Rear?
2 Answers
Whether new tires should be placed in the front or rear depends on the vehicle's drivetrain and driving conditions: 1. Drivetrain: For front-wheel-drive vehicles, new tires should be placed in the front, as the front wheels bear higher loads. For rear-wheel-drive vehicles, new tires should be placed at the rear, as the power output is at the rear wheels, which are more prone to slipping. 2. Driving Conditions: If you frequently drive on highways, new tires should be placed in the front. Over time, tires require wheel alignment, which involves assessing the wear on all tires and rotating their positions to ensure better vehicle performance and prevent skidding. Therefore, when replacing new tires, it's crucial to pay attention to their placement. Additionally, when driving at high speeds with new tires, it's important to slow down and avoid driving as usual.
It really depends on the specific situation. As a veteran mechanic with over a decade of experience, I've seen too many accidents caused by incorrect tire positioning. If you're only replacing two tires, prioritize installing them on the rear wheels! Loss of rear tire traction is particularly prone to causing fishtailing, especially when cornering in rainy conditions – the car will spin like it's on ice. A front tire blowout still allows some steering control, but a rear tire blowout will make the car spin on the spot. I remember one customer who installed new tires on the front wheels, only to skid on a rainy overpass and crash into the guardrail – the repair costs could've bought ten sets of tires. If the rear tires show more wear than the fronts, they absolutely must be replaced without hesitation. Of course, the most worry-free solution is to replace all four tires at once to avoid the dilemma. After replacement, remember to drive several dozen kilometers to allow the tires to properly seat on the road surface.
