Navigating winter roads: Why better tires belong on the rear
Winter is slowly approaching, and drivers face tough choices. Some will use their old winter tires, others will buy just one pair because another pair is still in good condition, and others will risk putting winter tires on one axle only. Which option should you choose?
We often can't afford to replace the entire set of tires, which would be the most beneficial and resolve all doubts related to this issue. In modern cars, where front-wheel drive models dominate, the front tires wear out faster.
This happens because the front of the car is more heavily loaded, both when stationary and while driving. Apart from the vehicle's weight, the front axle has to handle driving, steering, and braking. Even when the power is transferred to the rear, there are still demands related to steering and braking, so the front may wear out more quickly in such cars.
In most cases, the front axle is more heavily loaded, regardless of the road conditions. During acceleration, the effect of this load slightly decreases, but not enough to transfer the heavier load to the back unless we're talking about exceptional cars.
The driver can further influence the load on the front axle by pressing the brake or releasing the gas pedal. This temporarily improves the traction of the front wheels due to the vehicle’s weight distribution.
The rear axle has a more difficult task
It is less heavily loaded and often lacks the ability to carry additional load while driving. Nevertheless, it stabilizes the vehicle in turns. The front axle guides and the rear stabilizes the vehicle. For this reason, manufacturers usually install more advanced suspension systems on the rear axle.
The smaller weight on the rear axle and its frequent unloading can lead to a loss of traction. For example, during sudden braking on an uneven surface, the car may lose stability precisely due to rear wheel slippage. When turning, lifting off the gas or light braking can lead to a dangerous oversteer skid.
For this reason, better tires should always be on the rear axle. What is meant by better? Certainly, less worn. The rear axle's wheels will be less prone to oversteer on wet surfaces. Newer tires will certainly be better if the difference in usage is a few years. And for winter tires? You should always use a complete set of winter tires. If you intend to put them only on one axle, it's better to refrain from driving altogether. Or buy more affordable tires for all four wheels?
