One different tread tyre - should be in front or back (with one new pair)? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Al96 · 12-09-2008, 01:57 AM

Hello all,

I just bought a pair of new tires. All old and new are same size and specification. I intend to put this new pair at the rear according to the new research. I did a bit of research and found out that it is best to put new tires at the back as the rear skid easily and its harder to control once rear skid. Also my logic says if my car carries only one person mostly so the back is lighter needing more grip.

My problem now is my old 2 tyres are different tread and brand from each other but same size/specs. If I put new pair at back like I previously thought it leaves me with 2 different tread tyres on front which does not sound right. So what should I do?

Thanks for you opinions.

Regards.

bigbird · 12-09-2008, 03:55 AM

id prolly want the new tires up front...depending on how worn the other tires are. fwd cars are pretty easy to recover from if the rear slides out. if the front looses traction then your screwed...no steering or throttle. one driver doesnt make a differance. you sit well between the 2 wheels so your weight isnt a big factor.

Al96 · 12-09-2008, 04:29 AM

Thanks. I do agree with you as well. Thats what my dad always did. however, my understanding is when the car oversteers (rear skid) the response time increases because the driver initially fails to appreciate it. this was my experience when I had a muddy road slight oversteer. it could be just me, I am not a drifter or professional race car driver.

if it understeers (front skid) ill appreciate that immediately and slow down, as long as I dont slam the breaks. as regards to one person weight, I think weight does matters as the manual recommends 29 psi on the back tyres for single driver (increasing contact surface area). if i have 4 people in car the rear tires hold grip well better and manual recommends 32 psi.

Al96 · 12-09-2008, 05:16 AM

I found this over and understeering video interesting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvOg2ydEY7Q

plbill · 12-09-2008, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al96

I found this over and understeering video interesting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvOg2ydEY7Q

Third lesson learned: do not race with a Honda Insight.

***toyomoho*** · 12-09-2008, 10:47 PM

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=52

See link above.

Shelleybeanz · 12-10-2008, 01:44 AM

You always put new tires on your drive wheels. If you have FWD put them up front. To get your car moving, it makes more sense for the wheels that pull/ push the car to have the best grip. If you're that worried about rear traction, consider replacing all tires at once.

frojoe · 12-10-2008, 01:48 PM

Actually you always put new tires on the back, which is what all manufacturers recommend. I would go with what the professionals say is this situation.

TheKevin · 12-10-2008, 05:21 PM

I'd put them up front too.

Al96 · 12-10-2008, 06:44 PM

Thanks for your comments. I put the new pair at the back but one odd tyre in front made a lot of difference in driving. It pulls to other side. So had to change the front as well.

Shelleybeanz · 12-10-2008, 09:46 PM

I was always taught that they went on the front because nice new rear tires couldn't help you out if you're stuck in a parking lot with FWD. I just read up on that and now it makes a lot more sense.

Al96 · 12-10-2008, 10:16 PM

I guess it also depends on what your usual driving conditions are. when I say old tyres they don't mean totally bald but those haveing 3-4 mm tread. In my case I am the only driver and probably never go into a prking lot that is muddy. I favour the 'new at rear' theory regardless of FWD or RWD. In ths instance had to change the front as well as my old odd tyre was pulling the car to one side.

Shelleybeanz · 12-10-2008, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al96

I guess it also depends on what your usual driving conditions are. when I say old tyres they don't mean totally bald but those haveing 3-4 mm tread. In my case I am the only driver and probably never go into a prking lot that is muddy. I favour the 'new at rear' theory regardless of FWD or RWD. In ths instance had to change the front as well as my old odd tyre was pulling the car to one side.

I'm talking snow and ice. New England is lovely.

ghettosled · 12-11-2008, 07:31 AM

i always install new tires up front on FWD cars. ive never had the back end of a FWD car get away from me no matter how thin the tread. plus front tires wear faster.

that dude in the insight needs some driving lessons about over-correcting.

Nushadow · 12-12-2008, 04:15 PM

Recently I've just gotten my tires rotated. This would be my 2nd and a half year of driving the camry. Initially I had two new tires in the front. When I messed up the one wheel when I hit a sidewalk curb after hitting black ice, I rotated that one to the back. That left my two front tires with an odd alignment. So I went to get it aligned and still nothing. About a year later, that one tire in the front lost much tread. The fact that I lost the tread caused severe understeer in rainy conditions. I later then decided to move the new tire back up front and it drives with the correct alignment. Oversteer is not a problem unless you are either moving too fast into the corner, if you shift the weight up to the front of the vehicle while turning, or if your rear tires hydroplane. I'm still running that one tire with low treadwear, Ill try to have pics up tmrw to show it. But if you are an experienced driver, I recommend having the new tires in the front. If you are not, I highly suggest putting them in the back, otherwise you WILL not know what to do because a variety of things can and probably will happen. Or just get all 4 changed like he did.