Siskuwihane wrote:
> On Oct 6, 3:20�pm, dgk <d...@somewhere.com> wrote:
>> I was going to get two new tires for my 91 Accord at Costco. They will
>> only mount new tires on the rear if you only get two. Apparently a
>> study tells them that the better tires should be on the rear to
>> prevent fishtailing. Odd, I would think that the front would be
>> better, having the steering, power, and brakes. So which is better?
>
>
> New on the rear and here's why...
>
> From Tire Rack:
>
> http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=52
>
> Intuition suggests that since the front tires wore out first and
> because there is still about half of the tread remaining on the rear
> tires, the new tires should be installed on the front axle. This will
> provide more wet and wintry traction; and by the time the front tires
> have worn out for the second time, the rear tires will be worn out,
> too. However in this case, intuition isn't right...and following it
> can be downright dangerous.
>
> When tires are replaced in pairs in situations like these, the new
> tires should always be installed on the rear axle and the partially
> worn tires moved to the front. The reason is because new tires on the
> rear axle help the driver more easily maintain control on wet roads
> since deeper treaded tires are better at resisting hydroplaning.
>
> Members of Tire Rack team had the chance to experience this phenomenon
> at Michelin's Laurens Proving Grounds. Participants were allowed to
> drive around a large radius, wet curve in vehicles fitted with tires
> of different tread depths -- one vehicle with new tires on the rear
> and half-worn tires on the front and the other with the new tires in
> the front and half-worn tires on the rear.
>
> It didn't take long for this hands-on experience to confirm that the
> "proving grounds" name for the facility was correct. The ability to
> sense and control predictable understeer with the new tires on the
> rear and the helplessness in trying to control the surprising
> oversteer

oversteer on a honda???? obviously they're not talking about fwd vehicles.



> with the new tires on the front was emphatically proven.
>
> And even though our drivers had the advantage of knowing we were going
> to be challenged to maintain car control, spinouts became common
> during our laps in the car with the new tires on the front and the
> worn tires on the rear. Michelin advises us that almost every driver
> spins out at least once when participating in this demonstration!
>
> Experiencing this phenomenon in the safe, controlled conditions of
> Michelin's Laurens Proving Grounds rather than in traffic on an
> Interstate ramp in a rainstorm is definitely preferred!
>