I need 2 tires before winter and a friend of mine has a pair of snow tires in my size for a very good price and I will be putting them on the front of a front wheel drive car, the rear tire's are in good shape but are not snows but they are M+S rated . I have heard that you should run snows all the way around and I have also heard that it does'nt matter as long as the vehicle is not all wheel drive, I was wondering what if any problems could/would originate if I run snows in the front but not in the rear. as alway's thanx's guy's kkat
Question about using snow tires
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The general theory is, regardless of front wheel/rear wheel/all wheel drive, you want the tires with the most grip on the rear to avoid oversteer.
So having snows up front might make the car a tad more tail happy when going around corners and braking.
So having snows up front might make the car a tad more tail happy when going around corners and braking.
I've personally dealt with poorly matched tires before in the winter and it isn't fun. When I was 16 I had a '73 Vega (RWD) and my dad had installed [censored] all season tires on the front and some very good snow tires on the rear. In the winter it would understeer so bad it was incredibly annoying. You could accelerate and brake fine but you always had to be careful to go extra slow around a corner or you might not make it.
I also had an '87 Escort with pretty good all season tires on the front and no so good all season tires on the rear. One day while driving in snow and going around a curve near my house the rear started to break loose and I ended up doing a 180. The rear tires did not have nearly the grip the front tires did which resulted in oversteer which was even worse than understeer. Since I've been on my own and buy my own tires I've always tried to keep the exact same tires front and rear and with similar wear. It maintains the balance that is designed into the car which is slight understeer for most cars.
I also had an '87 Escort with pretty good all season tires on the front and no so good all season tires on the rear. One day while driving in snow and going around a curve near my house the rear started to break loose and I ended up doing a 180. The rear tires did not have nearly the grip the front tires did which resulted in oversteer which was even worse than understeer. Since I've been on my own and buy my own tires I've always tried to keep the exact same tires front and rear and with similar wear. It maintains the balance that is designed into the car which is slight understeer for most cars.
Having a tire with better traction in front than in the rear, you risk oversteer problems (unpredictable at the limit handling).
What kind of car is it?
You'd be best off with four brand new snow tires. Of course. In the real world, if you have two bald tires and two good ones, I probably would do what you're doing (replacing the balds with snows) or actually probably skip the snows and buy the new all-seasons you'll need in spring anyway.
EDIT: Sorry, I thought the snows were free. You're probably best off getting some new all seasons, both for safety and economy. Having two snows doesn't get you much.
What kind of car is it?
You'd be best off with four brand new snow tires. Of course. In the real world, if you have two bald tires and two good ones, I probably would do what you're doing (replacing the balds with snows) or actually probably skip the snows and buy the new all-seasons you'll need in spring anyway.
EDIT: Sorry, I thought the snows were free. You're probably best off getting some new all seasons, both for safety and economy. Having two snows doesn't get you much.
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its a chevy impala and I can get these tires for $20 for the pair,
For that price savings I would get snows for the remaining wheels and run snows all the way around. Safer for you and those driving around you.
if nothing else just put the snows on the back and you will be fine.. at that price thats what I would do probably.
you dont want more traction on the front.. if they on the back you might miss a turn (understeer).. if you have them on the front you might do a 180 around a turn... much more dangerous.
you dont want more traction on the front.. if they on the back you might miss a turn (understeer).. if you have them on the front you might do a 180 around a turn... much more dangerous.
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That's what I've found as well, snow tires in the back are more important than in the front if you only have two.
Originally Posted By: kkat
its a chevy impala and I can get these tires for $20 for the pair,
At this price, it's not even worth wondering "what if". Just get two pairs and be done.
Good winter tires on the back help prevent the car from spinning around. Good winter tires on the front will help you steer better and brake.
its a chevy impala and I can get these tires for $20 for the pair,
At this price, it's not even worth wondering "what if". Just get two pairs and be done.
Good winter tires on the back help prevent the car from spinning around. Good winter tires on the front will help you steer better and brake.
I would have probably followed your plan when I was younger, braver, poorer and convinced that I might be the next Lauda (that dates me, I know!). After all, I could easily catch any small slides, until I couldn't, of course!
I agree with those saying that the grippier tires should go on the rear and that four matched tires would be your best option.
Incidentally, if anyone really wants snows, you can buy them quite cheaply in the spring (no kidding) and mount them the following winter.
I have a set of Blizaks (sp?) ready for one of the Accords that I bought for ~$40.00 each from Tire Rack last spring.
Any junkyard can supply good OEM stock steel wheels.
I agree with those saying that the grippier tires should go on the rear and that four matched tires would be your best option.
Incidentally, if anyone really wants snows, you can buy them quite cheaply in the spring (no kidding) and mount them the following winter.
I have a set of Blizaks (sp?) ready for one of the Accords that I bought for ~$40.00 each from Tire Rack last spring.
Any junkyard can supply good OEM stock steel wheels.
Get those snows, no brainer for your region. The only question is are you getting 2 more?
I would practice in a parking lot to see how much your all seasons contribute.
One nice thing about snows is their lateral grip, ie going up a hill on a crowned road, you aren't sliding into the ditch as easily.
All seasons on the rear will have precious little lateral grip. Don't let the traction of snows on the front, if that's where you put them, give you too much confidence.
I would practice in a parking lot to see how much your all seasons contribute.
One nice thing about snows is their lateral grip, ie going up a hill on a crowned road, you aren't sliding into the ditch as easily.
All seasons on the rear will have precious little lateral grip. Don't let the traction of snows on the front, if that's where you put them, give you too much confidence.
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