Ask an expert
I have recently attended a presentation given by the Tyre Industry where we were told that the best tyres (tread depth) should be put on the rear of the car, irrespective of it being front wheel drive or not.
This is contrary to the thinking in the 1980's where the best tyres were though to on the front. Can you give me your thoughts on this and if the advice is correct then pass this message onto other readers for their information.
Kevin
From the "Ask Jack" archives - 8 September 2008
The tech team wrote an article for the Directions magazine last year on this subject which supported the best tyres to rear theory and we still stand by that recommendation.
I must say we hit a real nerve with some motorists, as a reasonable amount of time was spent after that article was published replying to those who held the opposite view on the subject.
The best to rear recommendation comes from the fear of a vehicle loosing control by 'breaking away' in the back end. Imagine a blow-out or an under inflated tyre (due to a slow leak) on the rear and a vehicle cornering at high speed. The risk of the car spinning out of control is very high. Once the car has started to loose control the direction the steering is turned or amount of engine power applied can very quickly worsen the situation with disastrous results.
Having the best tread depth to rear reduces the risk of a puncture and in wet conditions the water can be dispersed more efficiently.
A blow-out or having an under inflated front tyre would be no fun either however, the driver stands a better chance of controlling the vehicle. Also an under inflated front tyre can cause the car to drift one way or the other and the steering characteristics can change, giving the driver some warning of a problem. The same cannot be said for the rear.
Much research has gone into this by the tyre companies on both front and rear wheel drive vehicles.
One of the problems the tyre manufactures face, is getting their front line staff to all sing from the same sheet. There are those in the tyre shops who still recommend best to front.
I'll now wait for the emails telling me I'm talking a lot of you know what!!