Changing 2 front tires instead of all 4? Also where to go?

[VinylxScratches]

So winter is coming up. My two front tires are bald. I COULD NOT Rotate them because back in college, one of my tires was slashed so I got a used tire on the back. I would like to get two new tires on the front. Is that ok? Where is the best place to go? I think wal-mart only charge 7.50 for alignment and I saw pep boys and other places charge 70+. But I may have read it wrong.

My car is front wheel drive btw.

 

[jlee]

If you're getting snow tires, put them on all four ends unless you want your car to swap ends. How much snow are you dealing with?

 

[Jumpem]

I would put snows on all four corners. But my parents and sister always put them only on the front.

 

[Fenixgoon]

I would put snows on all four corners. But my parents and sister always put them only on the front.

that is a terrible idea. you want your tires to be the same types on all four corners, otherwise you will have different handling/grip characteristics, which will cause unstable handling when you need it the most.

 

[Vette73]

that is a terrible idea. you want your tires to be the same types on all four corners, otherwise you will have different handling/grip characteristics, which will cause unstable handling when you need it the most.

Faclepalm.


Tires should match per axle. You can have different on the front and rear.

 

[jlee]

Faclepalm.


Tires should match per axle. You can have different on the front and rear.

You can, yes...but you're talking drastically different grip levels front and rear. Not something I'd want to deal with on my car. RWD, you'll be compromising braking and steering. FWD, you'll likely be risking drastic oversteer (assuming snow tires on drive wheels and all seasons on the others).

 

[Vette73]

You can, yes...but you're talking drastically different grip levels front and rear. Not something I'd want to deal with on my car. RWD, you'll be compromising braking and steering. FWD, you'll likely be risking drastic oversteer (assuming snow tires on drive wheels and all seasons on the others).

I've got different on my car now and have none of those issues. I have had different many times.

I'm talking about street cars, not race cars. It will make very little differance for the majority of street cars.

 

[Fenixgoon]

I've got different on my car now and have none of those issues. I have had different many times.

I'm talking about street cars, not race cars. It will make very little differance for the majority of street cars.

so you're saying having a set of summers on the front but winters on the rear wouldn't be a bad idea? (or vice versa)

 

[jlee]

I've got different on my car now and have none of those issues. I have had different many times.

I'm talking about street cars, not race cars. It will make very little differance for the majority of street cars.

Are you driving in snow?

 

[Jumpem]

that is a terrible idea. you want your tires to be the same types on all four corners, otherwise you will have different handling/grip characteristics, which will cause unstable handling when you need it the most.

I'm not disagreeing. People without much means cut corners where they can.

 

[Jumpem]

I've got different on my car now and have none of those issues. I have had different many times.

I'm talking about street cars, not race cars. It will make very little differance for the majority of street cars.

You will get alot of oversteer in snow leaving all seasons on the back of a FWD car.

 

[VinylxScratches]

I'd get all season tires. Not interested in just snow tires.

 

[MJinZ]

You can, yes...but you're talking drastically different grip levels front and rear. Not something I'd want to deal with on my car. RWD, you'll be compromising braking and steering. FWD, you'll likely be risking drastic oversteer (assuming snow tires on drive wheels and all seasons on the others).

probably not... unless you are driving around in like 6 inch snow.

 

[MJinZ]

I'd get all season tires. Not interested in just snow tires.

Yea it's fine. Put new tires up front. Your car could use a little oversteer anyway.

 

[VinylxScratches]

Is that sarcasm?

 

[RU482]

that is a terrible idea. you want your tires to be the same types on all four corners, otherwise you will have different handling/grip characteristics, which will cause unstable handling when you need it the most.

I generally agree with the logic, but wouldn't two tires with better traction on the drive wheels be better than no improvement with the old tires?

 

[Arkaign]

I live in Texas, so I often just buy a set of front tires for my FF vehicles. It would seem altogether less practical I suppose if there is the need for consistent traction on ice/snow though.

 

[jlee]

Is that sarcasm?

No, it's just MJinZ.

 

[Vette73]

Are you driving in snow?

Yes I did last year. We had a 100year snow storm in N.VA/DC. i.e. several feet of snow. My RWD CTS was going by a pile of FWD cars that kept getting stuck.

I have some basic kuhmo all seasons on the front and DWS all season (with snow pattern) on the rear. Its one of the reasons I like DWS a lot.

My SiLs Audi A4 has the DWS on the front and some basic tires on the rear. Here car also did well in the snow.

 

[jlee]

Yes I did last year. We had a 100year snow storm in N.VA/DC. i.e. several feet of snow. My RWD CTS was going by a pile of FWD cars that kept getting stuck.

I have some basic kuhmo all seasons on the front and DWS all season (with snow pattern) on the rear. Its one of the reasons I like DWS a lot.

My SiLs Audi A4 has the DWS on the front and some basic tires on the rear. Here car also did well in the snow.

You're not going to have the braking or turning capability you could have if you ran snow tires all around, but I'm sure you know that already.

 

[desy]

snow tires all the way around is best
What happens if you put tires with the most traction on FWD vehicles, the back end is light and does 'come around' as suggested. People put the best tires on front so it pullls better but they should go on the back to keep you from spinning during braking.
Yes it does matter even with daily drivers.

 

[MikeMike]

Always put the newer tires on the rear!!!

Always

always
always

 

[VinylxScratches]

I can't, my two back tires are different age and wear! Can I get by winter with changing two front? Why can't I??

 

[alexruiz]

I can't, my two back tires are different age and wear! Can I get by winter with changing two front? Why can't I??

Of course, you can. You shouldn't do it however as properly explained here by desy.
Sears had a very good video about this scenario. Let me find it and I'll link.

snow tires all the way around is best
What happens if you put tires with the most traction on FWD vehicles, the back end is light and does 'come around' as suggested. People put the best tires on front so it pullls better but they should go on the back to keep you from spinning during braking.
Yes it does matter even with daily drivers.

 

[sdifox]

This is what I tell people.

Tires are cheaper than collision upset claim.