Why did they do that then?

[nickjm]

Sorry if you think this thread is more interesting than it actually is due to the title.

I recently got two new front tyres from Costco, and they put the back wheels on the front and the new tyres on the back.

I have a front wheel drive car, so why'd they do that then?

Am I being cynical thinking it's so that my front tyres will wear out quicker and I'll have to pay them to get new ones, or is there a scientific explanation?

Can I swap them over with no problems?

Ta

[pdV6]

New tyres with lots of grip on the front plus old tyres with less at the back = oversteer time.

For the average numpty on the street, having the new ones on the back is the safest option (i.e. understeer).

[nickjm]

I see, thanks for that.

Although it would be interesting to see my Civic Diesel going sideways!

[nickjm]

Oh and I didn't realise I was in this forum! D'Oh!!!!!!!

I'm sure some nice person can put it in General gassing for me...

[GreenV8S]

The best tyres should always go on the back.

[Code Monkey]

GreenV8S said:

The best tyres should always go on the back.

if it is rear wheel drive otherwise stick em on the front and have some fun......

[sadako]

I have heard that when using the bad tyres on the back of a FF car the oversteer is quite uncontrollable and more often than not leads to the car spinning without warning. You might want to keep the good tyres on the back and just use the handbrake/lift off for oversteer.

[minicity]

One of the motoring shows did a test (using a Corsa I think) and found strongly in favour of the theory.

[pentoman]

I personally put the best tyres on the front - they do 90% of the work when braking so important in an emergency.

I currently have brand new tyres on the front of my 190 and heavily worn tyres on the rear. There's a slight oversteer tendency but only if you drive like a madman and even then it's far from wild and very controllable (maybe more to do with the car than the tyres).

If it were someone else, I would put the best on the front and explain the rear tyres are more worn than the front so "don't go driving like a maniac".

Russell

[r988]

Your supposed to rotate your tyres regularly anyway (though I doubt most people do)

[CombeMarshal]

I always put the best tyres on the front to, after all, as said, that is where most of the braking force goes, and acceloration, unless your a real muppet you shouldn't get over steer any way, much more likely to get under steer if you do it the other way round

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

r988 said:

Your supposed to rotate your tyres regularly anyway (though I doubt most people do)

G/F was told this by MG main dealer about her MGF. Shame the back tyres are different to the front!

[Holst]

My friend span his fiesta after having new (decent quality pirelli) on the front and cheaps warn budget tires on the back.
This was in the wet.

Luckily he didnt hit anything.

We took the car to a big empty private carpark (my work) and it was pretty easy to spin it. Swapped the tires around and I could only get the back out with the handbrake.

Personally I swap my tires front to rear every so often, then replace the set when they all get worn out .. although the left side allways goes slightly quicker than the right.

[MJK 24]

pentoman said:

I personally put the best tyres on the front - they do 90% of the work when braking so important in an emergency. I currently have brand new tyres on the front of my 190 and heavily worn tyres on the rear. There's a slight oversteer tendency but only if you drive like a madman and even then it's far from wild and very controllable (maybe more to do with the car than the tyres). If it were someone else, I would put the best on the front and explain the rear tyres are more worn than the front so "don't go driving like a maniac". Russell

I agree. Best tyres on the front (fwd) and drive with a bit of respect and you'll be fine.