Not the normal tire question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
Not the normal tire question
I went to get a pair of new tires for my C5 and then next payday I will get another pair. Well I'm at the shop and the guy comes out to tell me that since I want the new tires on the front he has to read me a warning from the tire manufactures. Basically he read a warning that says the manufacturer recommends the newest(tire with most tread) tires go on the rear of the car. New to me anyone heard of this? If so why? I thought you stood less chance of hydroplaning with new front tires.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,562
Likes: 1
From: (Temporarily) Colorado Springs Colorado
When I sold tires back in the 70's it was just the opposite. You wanted to have the best tires on the front because they are the steering tires. Always made sense to me.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: Gadsden Alabama
the one and only time that i ever hydroplaned and lost control was in a nissan xterra suv and it was the rear tires that broke loose from the road first.......not sure if that has anything to do with the warning or not though.....
atilla...
atilla...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 763
Likes: 1
From: Oceanside Ca
Nanny Lawyers
Sounds to me like everyone is so paranoid over lawsuits. Seems to me if you want new tires on the front, you should be able to get them. As far as hyrdoplaning, your front set of tires will be hitting the water first, of course and the rear tires are riding in the area first cleared by the front tires. With that being said, if conditions are such that you are in that much water, slow down, and you should have good tires at all four corners. I regret that our society has regressed to the point of some tire guy having to tell "YOU" about what he and his company "think" is best and safest for "YOU"? 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,101
Likes: 44
From: ABQ NM
Cruise-In II Veteran
The tire industry's current CW is that a pair of new tires should go in the back. Since they regard that as safer, it's not surprising that you were given the warning lecture, given our litigious society.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 3
From: Dallas Texas
I went to get a pair of new tires for my C5 and then next payday I will get another pair. Well I'm at the shop and the guy comes out to tell me that since I want the new tires on the front he has to read me a warning from the tire manufactures. Basically he read a warning that says the manufacturer recommends the newest(tire with most tread) tires go on the rear of the car. New to me anyone heard of this? If so why? I thought you stood less chance of hydroplaning with new front tires.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 529
Likes: 1
From: Princeton Texas
When I was young we always put the new tires on front in case of a blowout. But the man was covering his a$$ and he is correct. If you are driving and hit the brakes and the front wheels lock up and the back ones don't the car will remain headlights first. If you are driving and lock the rear wheels up and not the front, the taillights will lead the way as the car will swap ends. You can prove this with a toy car. Tape the front wheels so they won't turn and give it a push across the floor and it will go straight. Now tape only the rear wheels and do it again and watch it swap ends and go backwards. The tires on the axle that lock will lead the way, always. His reasons had nothing to do with hydroplaning. If you hydroplan new tractor tires all the way around won't help.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
The bottom line is that you have more control of the car in the event of a blowout if the blowout occurs to a front tire. But because our cars have different front and rear tires, there will be times when you will need new front tires, only. It would be crazy to replace half-worn rear tires, just because the fronts will be newer.
Get the front tires now and replace the rears when they are worn out.
Get the front tires now and replace the rears when they are worn out.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 30,897
Likes: 45
From: Picking on the weakest kid in the yard.
But the man was covering his a$$ and he is correct. If you are driving and hit the brakes and the front wheels lock up and the back ones don't the car will remain headlights first. If you are driving and lock the rear wheels up and not the front, the taillights will lead the way as the car will swap ends.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I think that one rasied the 
flag. He cant say that without being specific to your car.
It would depend on front or rear wheel drive and tread depth on the remaining tires.
On a rear wheel drive Vette you might find a handling difference for a while.
One thing I wouldn't do is mix runflats and non runflats.
flag. He cant say that without being specific to your car.It would depend on front or rear wheel drive and tread depth on the remaining tires.
On a rear wheel drive Vette you might find a handling difference for a while.
One thing I wouldn't do is mix runflats and non runflats.