2 winter tyres only

mcwhirter

I have 2 winter tyres only. My car is FWD, Should I put them on front or rear?

There seems to be arguments for both.
Put on the front for better traction when starting off.
Put on the rear for better handling and braking.

What do you recommend.?

Tea 1000

Most of your braking force goes to the front wheels. Put them on the front. You'll be able to drive, steer and brake better.

Zubeneschamali

Put them in the shed until you can afford 2 more.

Stevie Dakota

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cBSWEhimdA

mcwhirter

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cBSWEhimdA

Sorry, I can't get that to play. What does it conclude?

Stevie Dakota

Can a mod fix, what is the deal with posting youtube vids, that is working for me?

Anyway, it shows a car loosing control with only 2 winters fitted, quite easily I'm afraid.

mcwhirter

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

Can a mod fix, what is the deal with posting youtube vids, that is working for me?

Anyway, it shows a car loosing control with only 2 winters fitted, quite easily I'm afraid.

Are the winters on the back or front?

Idleater

mcwhirter wrote: »

Sorry, I can't get that to play. What does it conclude?

1:25 in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdtAm7RsTmE

Stevie Dakota

mcwhirter wrote: »

Are the winters on the back or front?

Test shows front and back, both ends loose control quite easily.

Biglad

You need 4, period. Google it, easy. Just back from a return journey in to Letterkenny, lot's of people with these snow socks on their motors, even on cleared tarmac, they are ready for the bin tonight, don't get it...

mcwhirter

Biglad wrote: »

You need 4, period. Google it, easy. Just back from a return journey in to Letterkenny, lot's of people with these snow socks on their motors, even on cleared tarmac, they are ready for the bin tonight, don't get it...

Thanks, for advice, I have cancelled my order. Originally I had 4 ordered but the company only had 3 available. I then decided on 2 but after doing research it seems putting 2 on the front of a FWD car can make it very unstable under braking and putting them on the back doesn't cure the traction from standstill.

Need 4 or none at all.

Biglad

mcwhirter wrote: »

Thanks, for advice, I have cancelled my order. Originally I had 4 ordered but the company only had 3 available. I then decided on 2 but after doing research it seems putting 2 on the front of a FWD car can make it very unstable under braking and putting them on the back doesn't cure the traction from standstill.

Need 4 or none at all.

Right and only decision imo, although there are many "experts" on here who would "chance" a two tyre set up.;)

kirving

I'd inclined to think that having 2 would give you false confidence up to the point where the back really does go, while having 2 would force you to slow down to cope with the reduced grip overall.

4, or none would be more stable IMO.


Still, unscientific tests from Michelin should be taken with a grain of salt. I'm not disputing what they're trying to convey, but they obviously want to sell the four tires rather than just 2!

Captain Commie

I have 2 on front of nissan almera, got them in middle of all the crap the other week and have to say it works fine, loads more grip than what had with the others, suppose it could be somewhat better with 4 winters, but working just fine with 2

macnab

That video explains a lot to me. I have Winters on the front of my wife's corolla and all-seasons on the rear. I have noticed that its a bit tail happy in icy conditions. While my 200bhp RWD is very stable with 4 winter tyres fitted.

Biglad

Kevin Irving wrote: »

I'd inclined to think that having 2 would give you false confidence up to the point where the back really does go, while having 2 would force you to slow down to cope with the reduced grip overall.

4, or none would be more stable IMO.


Still, unscientific tests from Michelin should be taken with a grain of salt. I'm not disputing what they're trying to convey, but they obviously want to sell the four tires rather than just 2!

It's not just Michelin advocating this, if you do some research you'll find that most other manufacturers and consumer organizations will state the same.

Casati

The video does a good job of stating the obvious- winter tyres are better than all season, and 4 is better than 2.

But it doesnt test if 4 summer tyres are better than 2 summers on the rear and 2 winters/ all season's on the front so it doesnt really answer the question

I am awaiting the snow to test this latter setup, I expect it will be tail happy but no more so that with summer's all round- but the front should help get you up that hill or out of snow a bit better - see the autocar video for the BMW example

Idleater

Casati wrote: »

I am awaiting the snow to test this latter setup, I expect it will be tail happy but no more so that with summer's all round-

The video I linked to shows that
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=69608817&postcount=8

Biglad

Casati wrote: »

The video does a good job of stating the obvious- winter tyres are better than all season, and 4 is better than 2.

But it doesnt test if 4 summer tyres are better than 2 summers on the rear and 2 winters/ all season's on the front so it doesnt really answer the question

I am awaiting the snow to test this latter setup, I expect it will be tail happy but no more so that with summer's all round- but the front should help get you up that hill or out of snow a bit better - see the autocar video for the BMW example

You serious?