Winter tire dilemma: Why all‑wheel replacement is crucial
7:04 AM EDT, October 8, 2024
Winter is slowly approaching, and drivers face tough choices. Some will put on old winter tires. Others will buy just one pair because one is still good, and others will risk putting winter tires on only one axle. So, which option should you choose?
We often can't afford to replace the entire set of tires, which would be 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 occurs because the front of the car is more loaded, both at rest and while driving. In addition to the vehicle's weight, the front axle has to handle driving, steering, and braking. Even when the drive is transferred to the rear, there are still demands related to steering and braking so that the front may wear out more in such a car.
In most cases, the front axle is more heavily loaded, regardless of the road situation. 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. This way, the front wheels temporarily gain better traction due to the vehicle's weight distribution.
The rear axle has a more difficult task
It is less loaded and cannot often be additionally loaded 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 on the rear axle.
The smaller mass 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. Taking your foot 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. On wet surfaces, the rear axle's wheels will have less tendency to oversteer. Certainly, newer tires will be better if the difference in usage time is a few years. And winter ones? You should always use a complete set of winter tires. If you intend to put them only on one axle, maybe it's better to refrain from driving altogether. Or buy cheaper tires for all four wheels?
