Where Should the Best Tires Be Placed on a Car?

You need to know where to put your best tires. The correct placement keeps you safe. This advice applies to all cars, front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, and all wheel drive.

Car: The Short Answer

Always install your newest, best condition tires on the rear axle of your car. This rule is true for all vehicle types. Your rear tires prevent your car from spinning out.

Why the Rear Axle Needs the Best Tires

Your rear tires control vehicle stability. They keep the back of your car in line during cornering and on wet roads. Worn rear tires lose grip more easily. This loss of grip causes oversteer. Oversteer means the rear of your car slides out. Oversteer is difficult to control for most drivers.

New front tires with worn rear tires create a dangerous situation. The front of your car will grip the road. The rear will slide on wet pavement or during sudden maneuvers. This imbalance often leads to a spin.

The Front Tire Myth

Many people think new tires belong on the front. This idea is common for front wheel drive vehicles. People believe front tires provide steering and acceleration. This logic seems sound but it is wrong. Understeer occurs when front tires lose grip. Understeer means your car keeps moving straight in a turn. Drivers control understeer more easily by slowing down. Correcting a spin from oversteer requires more skill.

Tire Rotation for Even Wear

Rotate your tires regularly. Follow your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pattern. Regular rotation promotes even tread wear. Even wear means you replace all four tires at once. You then always have your best tires on the rear.

What to Do With Two New Tires

You might only buy two new tires. Mount the new tires on the rear axle. Move the older rear tires to the front. This practice maintains vehicle balance and safety.

Check Your Tires Now

Look at your tires. Use a tread depth gauge or the penny test. Insert a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head upside down. If you see all of Lincoln’s head, your tread is too low. Your tires need replacement. If you replace only two, put them on the rear.

Your safety depends on correct tire placement. Put your best tires on the rear.

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