Winter/Summer Tyres - Front/Back

arcon5

Okay so in an ideal world you'd fit 4 brand new winter tyres. And yes winter tyres are cheaper than a new car. The car in question doesn't even have ABS.

But we don't live in an ideal world, we have budgets and financial restraints. So in the real world, which would you choose:

to keep the 7mm summer tyres on or swap them with the 4mm winter tyres in storage? I'm thinking even a 3mm winter would be better than a newish summer..?
And would you choose 2x 7+mm winters or 4x 4mm winters?

and would you put the two winters on the front or back (talking FWD only)? I've read rear is actually better contrary to believe, but most commonly though to be the front drive wheels. I suppose there pros and cons for both, but which would you choose?

forgotmyname

In the current weather 3 or 4mm winter tyres maybe worth it. When we get snow then there probably wont be much in it.

Some situations one will be better than the other, But you wont know until it happens.

Bit like saying do i stick all my life savings on black or red.

sh0597

Logically the fronts as those are the driven wheels and under the most load in a FWD car.

fred246

You put your best tyres on the rear otherwise you spin under heavy braking. A few years ago that was a news story. For a couple of years tyre fitters insisted on putting the best on the rear and then they sort of forgot about it and don't seem bothered anymore.

JustinR1979

For snow/ice I would want the steered wheels to have the best grip available. I would think the front would wash out long before the rears would slide out. Front also does majority or braking, and has the weight transfer to contend with - considering the lack of abs cadence braking may be required. If fwd you'll want to be able to get moving, so best tyres to rear will be no use if you can't get going.

redux

I'd have 4 winter tyres rather than mess about getting only 2 then try to guess whether back or front.

JustinR1979

redux wrote: »

I'd have 4 winter tyres rather than mess about getting only 2 then try to guess whether back or front.

He's not messing about, he's working to a budget.

fred246

The AA,Michelin,Tyresafe,Blackcircles all recommend putting your best tyres on the rear. Can't find any organisation that doesn't

JustinR1979

fred246 wrote: »

The AA,Michelin,Tyresafe,Blackcircles all recommend putting your best tyres on the rear. Can't find any organisation that doesn't

Don't doubt it.
A blowout on the front is safer, as is understeer.
Neither are an issue if you can't move off however.
For snow/ice you wouldn't put chains on the rear on a fwd car though.
You need as much grip as possible in snow/ice on your steered wheels.

sh0597

The only advantage of having them on the rear I can think of is less chance of oversteer.


Everything else would be better with them on the front.

forgotmyname

The fronts do most of the braking so thats where i would put them.

Having the back stay inline is no help when your braking distance is extended or the front end doesnt have enough grip anyway.