When fitting new car tyres, which gives safer handling – putting the newer tyres to the rear or front?
I’ve always had my new tyres fitted to the front wheels of my front wheel drive car (if it was the rear tyres I was replacing, I’d put the front wheels to the rear and the new tyres on the front) as it seemed logical to place the newer tyres on the front where most wear takes place. However, I have heard lately from more than one source that putting the newer tyres to the rear each time gives better handling leading to better performance and (more importantly to me) more safety when braking and/or swerving sharply – even if the vehicle is front wheel drive – apparently this is something about reducing ‘oversteer’ which means little to me. Could anyone who has a good knowledge of this area please enlighten me? Which is safer? Thanks!
If the other 2 tires are is good condition, it will not make much difference, and will switch after the 1st rotation anyway. If the other 2 are NOT in good condition, then you need 4 new tires.
Much ado about nothing.
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