Many drivers ask us if they should change their front or rear tyres first. While this seems logical, the answer is actually quite different than what most people believe and it has important safety implications for all drivers.
A vehicle’s front and rear tyres wear out at different rates. This is largely due to the driver type, driving style and the amount of stress placed on them by the driver.
Are New Tyres Best on Front Or Rear?
Generally speaking, the tyres on the front axle of a vehicle are subject to more stress than those in the rear as they are driven harder and more often by Tyres Bangor. This concentration of load on the front axle means that they can wear out quicker than those in the rear – so it makes sense to replace the front tyres before the rear tyres.
Over time, the more worn-out tyres on the front will start to lose traction (a process known as aquaplaning). This can be extremely dangerous, as it can lead to oversteering or fishtailing which can result in serious and potentially fatal accidents.
New tyres on the rear help keep the car stable and controllable during rain. This is because the deeper tread of a new tyre allows it to evacuate water faster which delays the onset of hydroplaning and reduces the risk of oversteering and fishtailing.
In addition, new tyres are usually fitted with better-wet grip than your half-worn tyres, which will provide even more support for the rear of the car to maintain stability. As a result, drivers will be able to react quickly and correct their mistakes more easily when the rear tyres lose grip in wet conditions.