For years the common belief was that any time you put just two new tires on your vehicle, they should be mounted on the drive wheels. So if you had a rear wheel drive they went on the rear and a front wheel drive got them put on the front. Well this has changed. And for years now the tire industry has been trying to get the message out there that this old way of thinking is incorrect.
So where do we mount the tires with the best tread? On the rear! Always! It doesn't matter if it's front, rear, all, or four wheel drive. The new tires go on the rear and the less tread tires go on the front.
Why is this? Let's say you have a front wheel drive car. You put your two new tires on the front and leave the rears to be the more worn tires. When driving in the rain the front tires will cut through the water just fine. However, the rears will not perform at the same level and you can drive yourself into a rear tire aquaplane or hydroplane. This can get the back of the car sliding around, especially if it happens in a corner. A rear tire slide is more difficult for the average driver to control or in some cases even recognize.
If we keep the better tires on the rear, then the front tires will always be the limiting factor. If the front tires aquaplane it is easy to recognize (the steering feels light all of a sudden). And it's easier for a driver to control, simply ease off the accelerator and keep the steering wheel pointed where you want to go.
If you think I'm wrong, here's a video from 2009 that was put together by Michelin. I've driven these two seperate setups on their skid pad and I assure you, it is correct and true.
New Tires - Front vs. Rear
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