Which Tires Go Where?

[TJR178]

Confused? Thought so.

Sorry for this newb post, but I have a set of summr tires that I'm putting on this week with their mated wheels. Two of the tires are at 60-70% treadlife and the other two are at 40-50% treadlife. Question is, where should the newer tires go, front or rear? I know my car's power is split 50-50 (pretty sure anyway), and I'm guessing the newer tires go on the rear, but I thought I would ask.

Thanks!

[Doc@tirerack]

I'd recommend putting the "newer" tires on the rear, and here's why; With the newer tires on the front, they will grip at least a little better (especially in wet) than the rears. Let's say you were doing 80 MPH on the highway in the rain, and had to change lanes quickly to avoid something in the road. The better fronts will get you pointed in the right direction, but the rears may not be able to keep the car in line and slide out from underneath you (inducing a spin). If the fronts are a little more worn, you would experience understeer in the same situation and would need to turn the wheel more to get pointed where you need to, but at least the rear will follow.

[TJR178]

I'd recommend putting the "newer" tires on the rear, and here's why; With the newer tires on the front, they will grip at least a little better (especially in wet) than the rears. Let's say you were doing 80 MPH on the highway in the rain, and had to change lanes quickly to avoid something in the road. The better fronts will get you pointed in the right direction, but the rears may not be able to keep the car in line and slide out from underneath you (inducing a spin). If the fronts are a little more worn, you would experience understeer in the same situation and would need to turn the wheel more to get pointed where you need to, but at least the rear will follow.

Interesting. Thanks for the answer Doc.