[Deity]

Alright, I was thinking about this and couldn't really make any sense of it, I asked my dad, and he couldn't really give me an explanation.

So to save money, when I buy winter tires next year for my 8th gen FWD, why do I need 4 winter tires, couldn't I get by with just 2 front winter tires? Seeing as all the power is in the front end? So couldn't I just have 2 winter tires at the front, and my regular OEM tires at the back?

 

[reframmellator]

The official version is that the traction and handling characteristics of winter tires differ so dramatically from what you're running now that you must install four to have a safe setup.

Bottom line is these aren't your dad's (and by extension, my) winter tires. I don't even know if you can buy old-fashioned "snow" tires. Perhaps a conventional Firestone, but the new winter tires are so much better it's not even funny. Go to Tire Rack's web site and you are bound to find a good, definitive explanation. If not, call their order line and talk with a rep.

Reminds me of the days when the market was switching from bias-ply to radial tires. The handling characteristics were so different that the word was not to put one type on one axle and the other kind on the other. Most of us took this to mean four of one kind. The engineering manager at the plant where I worked ran two radials on the left side of his Karmann Ghia and two bias-plies on the right side. I wouldn't recommend that, but he never had a handling problem.

 

[tommypenguin]

Alright, I was thinking about this and couldn't really make any sense of it, I asked my dad, and he couldn't really give me an explanation.

So to save money, when I buy winter tires next year for my 8th gen FWD, why do I need 4 winter tires, couldn't I get by with just 2 front winter tires? Seeing as all the power is in the front end? So couldn't I just have 2 winter tires at the front, and my regular OEM tires at the back?

Not a good idea. Having snows on all 4 tires will give you drastically more control on the turns and also will help you stop faster. Obviously having the 2 snows in the front will get you off the line in snow and help you come to a stop but snow tires are of much more use for other driving conditions besides getting off the line . The main concern with having the crap stock tires on in the rear is you will be much more susceptible to lose control of your back end in a variety of circumstances given snow driving.

Aside from that you will have unevenly worn the two stock tires you used in winter versus the two stock tires you had sitting to use in the summer. Again this will create scenarios in rain or even in the dry with all 4 stockers on where you are more likely to lose the rear end of your car handling given certain driving conditions. If you’re going to put snows on, do it right and don’t be cheap and diminish your handling across the board for year around driving. Put on a set of 4 on. My .02.

 

[Accordguy04]

Having just two snow tires on the front would be like having two bald tires in the back with two normal tires in the front. With that setup first turn you hit in the rain, you better believe your ass is comin around.

 

[Deity]

I guess I'll end up putting 4 on, was just a thought. Now in regards to losing control of your back end, I have the stock OEM tires now, never lost control (however, I have all 4), but I don't really drive fast or mess around in the winter, how does have 2 stock tires in the back make me more susceptible to losing control on the back end?

 

[reframmellator]

I guess I'll end up putting 4 on, was just a thought. Now in regards to losing control of your back end, I have the stock OEM tires now, never lost control (however, I have all 4), but I don't really drive fast or mess around in the winter, how does have 2 stock tires in the back make me more susceptible to losing control on the back end?

YMMV, but most people use the feedback from the car to tell them how much in control they are. If you're going in a straight line, you'll be feeling good because the winters in front will be pulling you along, and you'll probably go faster because it will feel comfortable. When you go around a corner, the rears will lose traction first and rapidly, which will cause your rear bumper to pass your front - if you're lucky.

One reason you see so many AWD vehicles in the ditch (especially from states in which snow is a rarity) is that AWD helps a lot more with going than turning or stopping.

 

[MatmanVT]

I agree with the others. If you are going to do it, do it right and put 4 snows on so you have 4 consistant contact points with the road on your car. The last thing you want in the snow is 2 different set of handling from your front end to back end.

Don't even get me started on AWD and SUV cars off the road. It often amuses me that somehow they became convinced that their setup suddenly made them immune to the laws of physics.

 

[Deity]

I think I'll end up getting 4 winter tires next winter, was just a thought, with the OEM tires, it's like having bald tires in the back, and front already, so I was just curious as to what you guys thought. So thanks for all the feedback! i appreciate it!

And in regards to AWD, I agree with you guys, I see more AWD vehicles in the ditch then RWD, or FWD. It's a false sense of security, I've driven an AWD vehicles, they're fun to drive, but not what my friends make them out to be.

 

[Accordguy04]

I was drivin out to my buddys house last year in the first big snow we got. Comin down pretty good, but just goin thru slush on the highway. I had whatever tires were on the car when I bought it, they weren't the stock Michelin tires, I forget what they were. The front two would have barely passed inspection, the back 2 were shot. Now I admit, I was excited for the night of drinking in a cabin in the middle of nowhere, so I was going a bit faster than I should have been. A couple times on the trip my back end slid out a bit but I quickly counter steered and brought it back in line, no harm. About 10 min later, my dad calls asking how the roads are, as soon as the words escape my lips "oh, nothing too bad just a little slushy" the back end whips out and I can't stop it this time. The car spins 180* (atleast thats all I really remember) I immediately looked back (which was now the front) and steered into the grass median where luckily there was nothing, no concrete barrier, or other cars. I felt terrible cause my dad was on the whole time as I was cursing and freaking out and he had no idea what happened. Car was fine and I went on my merry way, and had a great night (everyone enjoyed the story) but lookin back it could have been A LOT worse.

 

[Deity]

Whao. Thankfully you, and your car is alright.

I'll end up buying a set of winter tires for next winter, and a set of summer tires as well with the new rims.

I really do appreciate all the info everyone!

 

[Furple]

I drive an ambulance and they only put winter tires on the rear (since its RWD). On the other transport vehicles that are FWD they put it only in the front.

I haven't heard of any accidents caused by having just two winter tires. If you drive cautiously you should be OK if money is that much of an issue.

That said I run 4 winter tires on my car as I would not risk it with my personal vehicle.

 

[Deity]

I'll end up running 4 tires, I was just curious as to if anyone has done this, or does this.

 

[Aviography]

All 4 or don't bother, just two on the drive wheels will give you a false sense of security, and will bite you so quick you had no idea what hit you as post #9 above clearly demonstrate.

You are better off with no winter tires than only two since the tires are all going to behave the same rather than noticeably different.

 

[G2Nice]

I had run just the front two winter tires on my Acura Vigor (work car) for two NY winters straight. Some type of Pilot snow tires. Never had any issue with handling as it's front-wheel drive, but then I never drove like a dick in bad weather either. Having all 4 winter tires are optimal and I'd recommend it, just got an 08' Accord Sedan and I'm not even going to chance it running it on 2 winter tires.

 

[Kolia]

If someone really wants to use only two winter tires, they should go on the rear axle, whatever drive train the car has. It has nothing to do with getting moving, it is basic chassis dynamics. In order for the car to be stable cornering and braking, we need the extra traction on the rear axle. Otherwise you'll be fishtailing each time you try a maneuver (ie the axle with the summer tires will tend to go straight, ahead of the other axle. That better be the front axle!)

Yes, that makes for a super understeering car. But that is still safer.

Please get 4 winter tires.

 

[Doude]

Seriously Deity, if there's a law that says you must have all 4 winter tires on, here in Québec, starting at the mid October to end up at the beginning of May, it's maybe more safest way to drive in winter time.
Would you really try to safe money in exchange of your life?

 

[nhbouncer]

I am the general manager of a retail tire store in MA and as policy we will not install 2 snow tires on the front of car. It is actually advised by tire manufacturers and the RMA (Rubber Manufacturers Association) the use snow tires in sets of 4 on all applications. Here is a link off of Dunlop tires website about it. http://www.dunloptires.com/care/winter.html

 

[Aviography]

I am the general manager of a retail tire store in MA and as policy we will not install 2 snow tires on the front of car. It is actually advised by tire manufacturers and the RMA (Rubber Manufacturers Association) the use snow tires in sets of 4 on all applications. Here is a link off of Dunlop tires website about it. http://www.dunloptires.com/care/winter.html

Good, actually, GREAT policy! :thmsup:

Welcome to DA.

 

[Deity]

Money isn't the issue, I was just curious as to if anyone has ever done it. I won't do it, I'll end up buying a winter set next winter.

 

[Doude]

I am the general manager of a retail tire store in MA and as policy we will not install 2 snow tires on the front of car. It is actually advised by tire manufacturers and the RMA (Rubber Manufacturers Association) the use snow tires in sets of 4 on all applications. Here is a link off of Dunlop tires website about it. http://www.dunloptires.com/care/winter.html

Wow! Nice move out there! :thmsup:

Hope others shops will follow the move!

Money isn't the issue, I was just curious as to if anyone has ever done it. I won't do it, I'll end up buying a winter set next winter.

I'm happy to hear this!
It could be pretty sad to see a new thread concerning you and your wrecked ride 'cause of the icy road condition on the next chilly season, don't you think?
Saying, I won't even imagine and dare to take the road by a windy and snowy day, out there in Alberta. I'm sure it would simply be 10 times crappier than out here as well