Can I Replace Two Tyres?

CAN I REPLACE TWO TYRES ?

We strongly recommend that you try to replace all four tires at the same time. However, circumstances sometimes require that you only have to replace two tyres.

When replacing two tyres we strongly recommend mounting new units on the rear, many service providers suggest placing new tyres on the front which is sensible from an economic perspective as front tyre wear is more rapid than rear on most cars.

However maximum control of a vehicle is achieved with the best tyres on the rear irrespective of whether the car is front, rear or all-wheel drive. If the rear wheels lose grip before the front ones an oversteer condition will occur which is harder to control than the understeer that happens if a front wheel is lost. This same logic also applies in the case of a tyre blowout.

The intuitive belief that the front steering tyres need to be the best is not the case. Loss of a rear tyre will cause any vehicle to become extremely difficult to control which gets worse as speed increases. Poor rear tyre grip also greatly increases the risk of rollover due to yawing which is when the rear of the vehicle becomes perpendicular to the direction of travel. Yawing can cause a tyre to separate from the rim often resulting in a rollover.

Your car will also resist hydroplaning better on wet surfaces with new rear tyres even if the front tyres are worn. If the front tyres hydroplane the vehicle will still travel in a straight line and you can maintain control as while you steer the unworn rear tyres will help stabilize the back of the vehicle.

In summary placing your new tyres on the front of the vehicle will ALWAYS create a less manageable driving situation in adverse conditions. When rear tyres lose grip for any reason the vehicle rear end can swing out of control and if this occurs steering or braking will not stop the rear from fishtailing but providing the best possible grip on the rear can help counteract this.