How effective is changing only the front two tires to winter tires?

[ken]

I was wondering if anyone has compared changing only the front two tires VS changing all four tires to winter tires (on a front wheel drive vehicle). Any info is appreciated.

[RedRaptor]

If you were to use only two winter tires, you would put them in the rear and not the front.

[CelestSpeed3]

If you are trying to save money than just use your stock tires. Winter tires should only be used in sets of 4.

If they are only on the front than they back end tends to loose traction going through turns and the car will spin.

If they are only on the back than your car will have terrible understeer in the snow as well as the front tires will not be able to compensate and you will loose braking performance, since the back tires will have more grip then the front. But if you must get two then put them on the back.

[majic]

^^^^ what they said.. go 4 or go home.. all about the safety

[awhoy]

Agree with what they said. Even some reputable tire dealers will NOT sell you only two snow tires. This was the case with Tiretrend last year when I ordered two snows online for my previous car. They called me back and asked what tires will I be using with the two snow. When I told I will be using the stocks, they refused to sell me only two tires because it is too dangerous. I ended up buying 4 snows from them and I am glad that I did with especially with the rough winter we had last year.

[Shogun]

Always put on 4. CBC had a great show on snow tires last year and the highway safety guy recommended 4 is the best way to go. He also recommended tire studs like they use in Sweden, but Ontario\'s laws are still archaic and ban their use.

If you were to only put on two snows, they always go on the drive wheels. In this case of a front wheel drive car, they would go on the front, not the back.

I\'ve used 4 on both my vehicles for the past 5 years and will never not use them.

[ThePartsStore]

If you want snow tires it is preferable to change all 4 tires not 2, if you can only afford 2 tires put them on the end which drives the car, if your car is front wheel drive put them on the front if its rear wheel drive put them on the back.....
If you can afford 4 snow tires change all four it will be alot better

[Whos ur dadd]

Originally posted by Shogun

If you were to only put on two snows, they always go on the drive wheels. In this case of a front wheel drive car, they would go on the front, not the back.




I don\'t think that\'s the case. I recall reading that they do not go on the drive wheels as they will provide a false sense of traction.

[majic]

put them on the rears (http://torontomazda3.com/forum/read.php?TID=2008&page=1#48314) if you only buy 2... no matter what car you have (FWD/AWD/RWD)

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Originally posted by majic


put them on the rears (http://torontomazda3.com/forum/read.php?TID=2008&page=1#48314) if you only buy 2... no matter what car you have (FWD/AWD/RWD)

I\'m gonna put em both on the left side... I think that would be fun.. :D

[Whos ur dadd]

Originally posted by TheBiz



Originally posted by majic


put them on the rears (http://torontomazda3.com/forum/read.php?TID=2008&page=1#48314) if you only buy 2... no matter what car you have (FWD/AWD/RWD)

I\'m gonna put em both on the left side... I think that would be fun.. :D

LOL!

[Shogun]

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put them on the rears if you only buy 2... no matter what car you have (FWD/AWD/RWD)



Have to disagree with you Majic. Every site I\'ve looked at clearly indicates that two snow tires should be put on the drive wheels, that\'s what moves your car and that\'r where the traction should be.

Either way the best advice is 4\'s all the way. The price of snows is a lot less than the price of my wife and three kids.

[RedRaptor]

Originally posted by Shogun
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put them on the rears if you only buy 2... no matter what car you have (FWD/AWD/RWD)
Have to disagree with you Majic. Every site I\'ve looked at clearly indicates that two snow tires should be put on the drive wheels, that\'s what moves your car and that\'r where the traction should be.

Either way the best advice is 4\'s all the way. The price of snows is a lot less than the price of my wife and three kids.

Again they should go on rear no matter what drive the car is. Majoogle is right on this one.

[MajesticBlueNTO]

Originally posted by Shogun



Have to disagree with you Majic. Every site I\'ve looked at clearly indicates that two snow tires should be put on the drive wheels, that\'s what moves your car and that\'r where the traction should be.

WRONG on a FWD car. RIGHT on a RWD car.

if you were going to put 2 tires only on a FWD car, you want them on the rear since, like previously mentioned, the tendency to oversteer (spin out) is reduced with the rear having better traction.


Originally posted by Shogun

Either way the best advice is 4\'s all the way. The price of snows is a lot less than the price of my wife and three kids.

couldn\'t agree with you more :)

[majic]

Originally posted by Shogun

Have to disagree with you Majic. Every site I\'ve looked at clearly indicates that two snow tires should be put on the drive wheels, that\'s what moves your car and that\'r where the traction should be.


just think about it, where do you want more traction/control? while BRAKING or while ACCELERATING?

a similar misconception can be found when ppl purchase AWD b/c \"it\'s better in the snow\" once again, wrong.. ok you will beat me off the line but due to the weight of AWD you will actually take longer to stop since braking is still applied the same 4 wheels.

and as that guy in the article says.. if your deductible is $500 or so, the tires pay for themselves (not to mention the wife and kids ;) oh and your own life)

[ahhh]

look at it this way...


the front of the car is quite heavy ( engine + tranny ). the back of the car is quite light ( hockey bag maybe ).

the front is already well planted. combine the better traction up there, and you\'re set...AS LONG AS YOU\'RE ALWAYS DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE.

seeing as that\'s not the case, if you absolutely must, put the snows ON THE REAR.

you wanna give the car\'s ass end as much of an advantage as you can.

PLUS...if your front wheels spin, it\'s easier to correct ( take your foot off the damn gas pedal )

...if your rear wheels lose traction around a bend....say WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE !


ALWAYS USE 4 Snow tires on a FWD car ( or any car for that matter ).

okay, im going to sleep now

goodnight