Tyre change tactics

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

Personally, I think all season tyres should be the default tyre in the UK. I'd change all 4 anyway.

Robisere

It's a good idea to have a steering geometry check at tyre changes, if you are experiencing what you consider to be excess front tyre wear. Check the wear patterns: equal wear on the inner tread of both front tyres, means the wheels are "toe-ing out". Same equal wear on the outer tread, wheels are "toe-ing in."

Uneven wear on front tyres fitted as new at the same time (eg at factory) means there is a problem with a worn steering component, that should be investigated.

It is good practice to check front tyre wear every month, by putting the steering to full lock, checking the tread and repeating the process with the wheels at opposite lock. As most cars now have power steering, this should be done on level ground with engine running.

Ebe_Scrooge

motorguy wrote: »

Oh i'm with you on this. Exactly my driving perference too.


Was just curious because it does seem at odds with general thinking.

As per my original post, there is no single right or wrong answer. I think it's just that, if you're asked to make a generalisation, then the best ones go on the back, for the simple reason that a rear-wheel skid is potentially a whole lot more serious than a front-wheel skid - for the majority of "ordinary" drivers. If you're confident that you can recognise and control the different types of skid then I agree whole-heartedly that the best tyres go on the driven wheels, whether that's the front or the back.


( As a slight aside, if anyone has ever thought of going on a skid-training course, I can thoroughly recommend it. The fact that you learn valuable techniques is almost a secondary consideration - it's a whole heap of fun . So next time someone asks you for ideas for your birthday or Christmas present .... )

Iceweasel

IanMSpencer wrote: »

Personally, I think all season tyres should be the default tyre in the UK.

How is that going to work?

Manufacturers and/or dealers supply them on the car from new?

I sincerely hope not.

arcon5

Lesson to be learnt here is start checking your tyres. Don't leave it to the garage once a year

facade

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

As per my original post, there is no single right or wrong answer. I think it's just that, if you're asked to make a generalisation, then the best ones go on the back, for the simple reason that a rear-wheel skid is potentially a whole lot more serious than a front-wheel skid - for the majority of "ordinary" drivers.

I always used to agree with that- it is much better to go straight on into something sitting behind an airbag and crumple zone than spin round and swipe it sideways and hope the doors are strong enough :eek:

But now I have a FWD car with a dashboard full of lights for the various TLA's that stop pretty much everything bad happening, I stick the ditchfinders on the back, and decent tyres on the fronts, as the TLAs will limit the braking force and stop the wheels locking. With ditchfinders on the front, there won't be any brakes!

The back tyres don't do much anyway under braking as the weight transfers to the front, their job is to stop the back end overtaking the front by resisting sideways forces.

Gloomendoom

IanMSpencer wrote: »

Personally, I think all season tyres should be the default tyre in the UK. I'd change all 4 anyway.

Iceweasel wrote: »

How is that going to work?

Manufacturers and/or dealers supply them on the car from new?

I sincerely hope not.

Mine came with them fitted from new. I've since replaced that set with more of the same.

My wife's car came with all-seasons fitted from new too.

Iceweasel

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Mine came with them fitted from new. I've since replaced that set with more of the same.

My wife's car came with all-seasons fitted from new too.

That's fine - but the suggestion was that they be the default tyre in the UK - which I take to mean that the poster wanted them fitted to ALL vehicles in the UK.

Gloomendoom

Iceweasel wrote: »

That's fine - but the suggestion was that they be the default tyre in the UK - which I take to mean that the poster wanted them fitted to ALL vehicles in the UK.

High performance vehicles excepted, I certainly wouldn't have a problem with that.

laidbackgjr

Gloomendoom wrote: »

High performance vehicles excepted, I certainly wouldn't have a problem with that.

Why - all seasons are a compromise - not as good as a summer tyre on warm / dry roads and not as good as a winter tyre on cold / wet roads, i.e. you are always on the wrong tyre with an all season tyre.