Any car mechanics here? car tyre question.

Now then. I wanted to swap the tyres on my car. Front wheel drive car so the front is getting thin a bit and both tyres have maybe 3k miles left in them. Both of the back ones are more or less untouched with plenty of life left in them. So I suggested to swap the front ones with the back ones. However was told at the garage not to do so. The argument used were:

You need more traction at the back so better tyres need to stay in the back.

Any of you work in the garage and can confirm that for me? I have never heard that argument before and remember swapping tyres from back to front before.

[fizzwheel]

I used to that all the time to get maximum life out the tyres.

Personally being a front wheel drive car you're going to want your better tyres on the front as the drive and also steer the car.

I'm not a mechnic just my opinion though...

load of ****e.. (read different opinion)

Usually means you have to replace the full set at once, but its irrelevant really

[Bluepete]

Leave 'em where they are, then get a new set when needed. Swapping them usually means you'll need four at a time = lots of cash in one go!

my car wheels are diff? the front rims seem fatter than the rear? i think they used to be on the back and someone swapped them round? i think the wider rim should be on the rears as its rear wheel drive.

Originally Posted by Dave The Rave

You need more traction at the back so better tyres need to stay in the back.

Never heard so much garbage. On a front wheel drive car, all the drive (obviously), steering and most of the braking are done through the front so that's where you want the most traction.

I take it this garage sells tyres? Last time I went to Kwik Fit for a puncture repair, they tried to tell me that the other three tyres needed replacing as there was ONLY 5mm of tread left. "Err, legal limit is 1.6mm pal so don't give me that" to which he had no reply. They are just brainwashed into obtaining the most sales possible even if it means ripping off those who may not know any different.

He's talking sense!
http://www.michelin.co.uk/uk/auto/au...b_pqr_neuf.jsp

Originally Posted by southy1978

He's talking sense!
http://www.michelin.co.uk/uk/auto/au...b_pqr_neuf.jsp

Michelin have nothing to lose (can't be sued for saying you should have new tyres) and only sales to gain from that argument.

I don't subscribe

[timwilky]

Have you ever lost the back end?. I have and it wasn't pleasant. Far worse than trying to recover a front.

Originally Posted by timwilky

Have you ever lost the back end?. I have and it wasn't pleasant. Far worse than trying to recover a front.

Quite a lot, but my car has the engine in the right place (the middle) and the right wheels driving it (the rear).

Agreed though, FWD is much harder to catch the rear as it tends to snap. Depends how hard you drive though...