Using just 2 snow tires like the good ole days

[paulswagelock]

Ok, growing up I drove all rear wheel drive cars until I was late into my 20's. In the winter, sometimes we put 2 snow tires on the rear. Then I had a few front wheel drive cars, and put snow tires just on the front. The solution seemed fine, got me around fine, never felt dangerous.

Fast forward to now. Tirereack will not sell me 2 snow tires, only a matching set of 4. Does anyone still run just 2 snow tires on the front of a car? I understand the theoretical philosophy that having better traction on one axle is not ideal, but does everyone agree with that?

Any old schooler's out there still use just 2 snow tires?

 

[bullwinkle]

On the back of the 2WD GMC, with studs. I only had 1 FWD with only 2 snows on the front, '90 Civic wagon beater (studs)-it could be a handful in ice, but only if I got stupid!

 

[Zaedock]

I don't use snow tires. All seasons on the Maxx and AT's on the truck.

My mother uses snows on the front of her '08 Cobalt. She didn't want rears, so my brother and I didn't buy them. She goes everywhere she wants and gets up her 3/4 of an acre driveway without issue. Even as a kid, if she could afford them, she only mounted them on the rear. Who am I to argue, as she's been driving for 60 years.

 

[redhat]

I'll probably be buying two snows in a year or so...

While it may not be recommended and advised against, I keep my snows at each wheel. I let the fronts wear down as I'm a believer that you need all the help you can get in the rear, and the fronts have the fact that they're the drive wheels.

When the time comes for new, the rears go to the front and we repeat the process. I wonder if TR won't sell me two.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: paulswagelock
Does anyone still run just 2 snow tires on the front of a car?

Terrible idea, IMO.

If anything, I'd put them on the rear to avoid spinouts, but in general, I'd just get 4.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Tirerack sold me 2 14" snows for my fit ( with 2 16" well treaded All seasons on the back) and Ive had no issues with oversteer, but I keep my speed under 50 and don't go on the interstate. My big isssue is, I didn't put pricey tPMS on the 14" steelies and the AS/TC is non defeatable now and had near accident cause I couldn't move forward without some wheelspin - the ECM killed engine power heading onto the roadway and I couldn't merge in a safe tmely manner. Death by government over regulation.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Tirerack sold me 2 14" snows for my fit ( with 2 16" well treaded All seasons on the back)

Was there any difference in overall diameter between these two?

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Tirerack sold me 2 14" snows for my fit ( with 2 16" well treaded All seasons on the back) and Ive had no issues with oversteer, but I keep my speed under 50 and don't go on the interstate. My big isssue is, I didn't put pricey tPMS on the 14" steelies and the AS/TC is non defeatable now and had near accident cause I couldn't move forward without some wheelspin - the ECM killed engine power heading onto the roadway and I couldn't merge in a safe tmely manner. Death by government over regulation.



So because you did something unsafe that Honda (and every other manufacturer) explicitly say not to do, and that the tire shops tell you not to do, it's someone else's fault that you almost got hurt. I like that logic. Sounds like there's money to be made there.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I had to buy two new snow tires from Tirerack for this winter as two of my Winterfarce tires had bad belts. I just had to explain that I was replacing two of the snow tires and that I am running a full set of 4.

 

[gman2304]

I had a little Nissan 4wd truck I bought new in 1995. I had bought a 2005 Chevy Avalanche 2wd and sold the Nissan a week before the snow hit a couple weeks ago. I had forgotten what a big dinosaur of a vehicle a 2wd truck was after owning the 4wd for so many years. Even with the G80 locker the Avalanche wouldn't move on the slightest hill in my neighborhood. I had to shovel my driveway to get the beast back into the garage and get my wifes Toyota Avalon out so we could go to her mothers house. Quite humiliating to hear her say 'I told you so'. I'm considering getting 2 spare wheels and mounting snow tires on them for next snow season...which around here lasts only a couple days a year...or get a 4wd truck!

 

[IndyIan]

When I was 16-18 we had a Corolla with just snows on the front, my mother never had an issue with it and I loved how easy it was to left foot brake and get the car sideways in the corners. The difference in tires wasn't as much as now though. A/S probably are a bit better than 20 years ago in snow, but snow tires seem to be alot better so mixing these days would be a bit risky IMO.

I was behind a guy today in a town car with only snows on the back going 35mph on the snow covered highway. He almost understeered into a snow bank on the one turn... I passed him when I got the chance.

I will always put the best 2 snow tires on the front, but the Focus is remarkably neutral in the corners so I won't ever run A/S on the rear in the snow. I like the balance as is, understeer and oversteer when and where I want, no surprise drifting...

 

[JHZR2]

They wont sell two??!?

I bought two rear snows from Canadian Tire for my 91 BMW. After being sold on their performance, I wanted two other tires, so I bought two snows from Tire rack for the front.

I recall I had to acknowledge some safety thing, but they sold them. Granted this was a few years ago...

Im not convinced that TR prices are THAT competitive in the big scheme of things, after shipping is considered. You might want to shop around locally for someone willing to make a sale.

 

[GutsyGecko]

All you have to do is say you already have two to match.

 

[Garandman]

I bought two snows for my car and then had to drive to another shop about 5 miles away, in an ice storm, to have two more put on as they'd split the inventory.

It was dicey as [censored].

 

[The_Jeff]

If they won't sell two, will they sell one? Then order another one a day later.

 

[Hollow]

I grew up driving a RWD with rear snows. Could go and stop just fine....steering, well not so great.

Now it doesn't matter whether I have RWD, AWD, or (heaven forbid) FWD the tires will match. Physics don't lie, unequal traction is inferior.

 

[spasm3]

I have put 2 studded now tires on fwd cars for years. It works great. No you cant slam the brakes if you are not straight but with some common sense its not a problem i've done it for 30 years.
Find and independent that can stud tires or order from someone else.

 

[spasm3]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
If they won't sell two, will they sell one? Then order another one a day later.

Thats pretty good! Funny but it would probably work.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
They wont sell two??!?



You will get a call.

 

[Traction]

You can't put a price on safety. 4 snow tires only. 2 make you go, but it takes 4 to stop and turn, which can be priceless. Every thing is 4WD while stopping and turning.