TIRE ROTATION POSITION

[dave_island]

Let's suppose this vehicle is a FWD. Your replacing 2 new tires due to wear and alignment suspension components are fixed. The new ones go in the front, old in back. I was always told put your best foot in front. Same goes for rear wheel drive. Wheels that turn, ya want them to have good traction. Michelin states to put good tires in back and old in front due to loss of control and recent car accidents. Any insight would be great, thanks. Dave

[tac]

I always say put your best tires up front - regardless of front, rear, or AWD. The front tires do all the stopping, and more importantly, do all the steering. Deep treads handle water better (and snow/slush in the winter) so you're less likely to hydroplane or have a tire lock up as your are trying to maintain control around a curve or swerving around something in the road.

[Harvester]

I agree with TAC on the better tires being mounted on the front wheels. I think this is especially true for a front-drive vehicle. I can see a point for a rear-drive vehicle having the better tires on the driving wheels, because in a slippery situation, poorer rear tires may break away in a turn, resulting in a skid. With the recommended 1/16" minimum tread depth, I don't see a compelling advantage to deeper tread on the rear wheels for most situations, but in heavy rain and snow, deeper tread is better. I would like to see Michelin's arguement for their position on this question.

Harvester

[jgate]

The best tires should go on the rear to prevent the rear end from losing grip. On FWD vehicles The rear is lighter then the front, Losing grip on the front just causes the vehicle to plow straight ahead, but when the vehicle slows down and the grip returns, the car is pointed in the right direction to be able to steer. The reverse is not true. Actually it comes down to what you are looking for in any handling situation. Both ways have there own advantages and disadvantages.
Harvester , Here's a video that does a pretty good job of illustrating this:

The Michelin Video: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSz7cm6MwH0">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSz7cm6MwH0</a><!-- m -->

[Harvester]

Interesting video, jgate, but I think they oversimplified the issue. The BMWs, I think are rear drives, while the other two are front drives- not a very good comparison, even though they made their point. Personally, I would rather deal with rear break-away than front-end plowing. Front-end plowing I've found to be more treacherous that a rear break-away, but thats me.

Harvester

[jgate]

Like I stated there is advantages and disadvantages to both, It all comes down to driver preference,
and his or her ability to handle the different driving conditions, or different driving situations he or she might find himself involved in. Some drivers might be able to handle a front end break away better than a rear end breakaway, or visa versa,, driver preference..

[way2old]

What about old dirt trackers? I like the rear end to swing loose and wide. Of course that is my opinion. I like traction on pulling wheels. If you have more tread on the pulling wheels, you also have more tread on the engine braking portion of the slowdown. Again, just my opinion. [smilie=pdt_al.gif] [smilie=pdt_alc.gif]

[FIREDOG]

I'll side with jgate. Better tires in the rear. Has to do with understeer vs oversteer.

check out: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=52">http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/ ... ?techid=52</a><!-- m -->