Hi,

So I had a bad tire replaced. It was my front passenger tire. The other tires are good, but almost a year old. I read that you are supposed to put new tires on the back to help traction. I had the new tire put on at Town Fair Tire, and they put it on the front even though I asked them if they were putting it on the rear and they said they were. Anyways, I am not very knowledgeable on this, and I am wondering: does it really make a difference? Should I move it to the rear?

Thanks

 

Short answer: There are pluses and minuses each way. Leave it there and don't worry about it.

Long answer: The reason that places recommend putting tires with more tread (including new tires) on the rear of the car is that they grip better. When the rear grips better than the front, it creates a handling characteristic called "understeer", in which the car tends to go straight ahead (i.e. turn less) when you turn the steering wheel. If they're on the front, it creates oversteer, in which the rear end of the car tends to come around on you (i.e. the car spins) when you turn the steering wheel. Understeer is safer than oversteer, hence the recommendation.

However, putting the newer tire on the rear has a big DISadvantage. Most people want to rotate tires to even out the treadwear, so that all four wear out at the same time (and you don't have to buy any tires till then). But, since most of our cars are front-wheel-drive, the front tires wear out quicker than the rear. If you always put the tires with more tread on the front, it tends to even out the treadwear; if you put the tires with more tread on the rear, it means that those two tires will last longer, and your front tires will wear out sooner.

So, as you can see, there are reasons for putting the new tire on either end. Personally, I usually put the tires with more tread on the front, because I like to even out the treadwear.

 

Good to know. Very informative! Thanks!