Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Attention Forum Users: On the 28th of December 2023 at 9:00am Central Time, we will be taking the forums down for maintenance while we prepare the new forums for your use. Please click here for more information.

Tool Talk Discussion Forum

2 VS 4 snow tires on front wheel drive

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
diggerdave

11-12-2004 09:03:36




Report to Moderator

for front wheel drive cars all the tire places Ive been to recommend 4 snow tires as opposed to puttting them ONLY on the front. Since most of your braking comes from the front it would seem that 4 is not needed. I also understand that the rear does break and would think that if the rears dont have snows on you might begin to fish tail?? For that reason I am thinking of going with 4 to be safe. Any thoughts on this are appreciated.

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
Ken S.

11-12-2004 19:41:18




Report to Moderator
 Re: 2 VS 4 snow tires on front wheel drive in reply to diggerdave, 11-12-2004 09:03:36  
If ya don't put snows on all four keep them on the rear of a front drive and front on a rear drive.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
toolman

11-12-2004 19:37:51




Report to Moderator
 Re: 2 VS 4 snow tires on front wheel drive in reply to diggerdave, 11-12-2004 09:03:36  
i live in snow country here in the canadian rockies and you got good advice already so i,ll only add you can get by with on the front, but you,ll get by alot better with them all round,think safetly especially for your wife an kids, i did without them for a while eventually put them on all fours glad i did.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Dave2N

11-12-2004 17:06:01




Report to Moderator
 Re: 2 VS 4 snow tires on front wheel drive in reply to diggerdave, 11-12-2004 09:03:36  
I'll just say "Ditto" to what BrianNY said below. I live on the NY/PA border and we do a fair amount of driving in snow and on slippery roads from Nov.-March (and sometimes April). We've run winter tires on all four wheels of our Caravans/Voyagers since 1995 after I was convicned by a tire shop down the road. The stability with these tires on all four wheels is amazing and the traction is even more amazing. On normal winter hard road (not off-road) use, we can go right along with the 4x4's and SUV's. My son has them on all four wheels of his Jetta. Yes, putting these tires on all four wheels makes a big difference from a safety and traction stand point.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Leroy

11-12-2004 16:29:38




Report to Moderator
 Re: 2 VS 4 snow tires on front wheel drive in reply to diggerdave, 11-12-2004 09:03:36  
I run snow tires on just the front wheels on a front wheel drive or just on rear on a rear wheel drive. I do most of my driving with front wheel drives anymore and my driving is tough as I do a rual newspaper delievery route, 1000 mile a week and I have used chains on the snow tires on front wheel drive, one year I wore out a set of chains in 2 weeks on snow and ice, I like the studded tires but last ones didn't get the studs. Used Dodge Caravans for quite a while, 3 different ones and the front brakes will last 2-3000 mile only, have used a few cars as well and get maby 12-15,000 on brakes on those as you can see my driving is not normal but I see no reason to put snow tires on a non driving axle and here in Ohio some years without much snow but then again loades of the stuff, one season about all the tires will last

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[email protected]

11-12-2004 13:12:35




Report to Moderator
 Re: 2 VS 4 snow tires on front wheel drive in reply to diggerdave, 11-12-2004 09:03:36  
I shall relate a story which happened to me.In Nov 1970 I took my Car to a local Country Garage and left it there instructing Bob to put a pair of Snow tire on it and Service it. He called later for us to come and get it and which we did and it was not until March that it was pointed out to me that the tires were on the wrong end. It was a 1968 Olds Toronado. LOL



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
John *.?-!.* cub owner

11-12-2004 10:21:10




Report to Moderator
 Re: 2 VS 4 snow tires on front wheel drive in reply to diggerdave, 11-12-2004 09:03:36  
I think a lot of it depends on your locationa and driving style. Snow tires on rear of a front wheel drive will aid in braking, but don't give as much lateral stability for cornering on dry pavement as highway or all season types.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Brian in NY

11-12-2004 10:18:52




Report to Moderator
 Re: 2 VS 4 snow tires on front wheel drive in reply to diggerdave, 11-12-2004 09:03:36  
I live in NY and where we are we get a lot of snow. Snow tires are essential, and lots of folks even run snow tires on their 4wds.
Here is the logic for running 4 snows on a front wheel drive. A specialized snow tire has different handling characteristics than a normal all season radial. If you only have snows on the front you are going to have a car that wants to take two different lines through corners. The softer tread compound on winter tires wants to grab on slippery surface where the harder compound on a all season tire wants to slide, especially at low temperatures.
A skilled driver can compensate for this, utilizing counter steering and braking, but for the average driver this very well could mean a trip to the ditch.
I have run FWD cars both ways, and after having all 4 snows on a FWD I will never go back. Just a huge confidence booster when cornering. You can drive a little faster because you know you can stop better and avoid hazards better. As far as traction to get going, they don't help but they do help with braking and cornering.
The other benefit is buying a set of four tires and four rims. Then you don't have to pay the mount/balance every year and you save wear on your original tires/rims. Both sets end up lasting several years. Around here it is about $8-10 per tire to mount & balance. Doesn't take long to pay for another set of rims at $80 per year to change tires back and forth.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Brian in NY

11-12-2004 11:41:23




Report to Moderator
 Re: 2 VS 4 snow tires on front wheel drive in reply to Brian in NY, 11-12-2004 10:18:52  
Also hit the link below to tirerack.com they explain in detail why it is better to get a set of 4.

Of course they are the tire dealer so it makes sense for them.

I have heard that shops in some states refuse to put just two snow tires on the front of a FWD car because of there being many lawsuits brought against tire dealers and shops when crappy drivers wreck and get killed. They need someone to blame.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
buickanddeere

11-12-2004 10:16:08




Report to Moderator
 Re: 2 VS 4 snow tires on front wheel drive in reply to diggerdave, 11-12-2004 09:03:36  
Tires vary widely but look similar among the same manufacture for all season, mud, snow, ice, rian and even some performance tires. Around here I put four Michelin Artic Alpine Pilots on cars and light trucks. Stops the best on ice and is decent in snow. You have to choose for yournarea and driving style. I'll go without a 24 of beer for a couple few weeks just to purchase premium tires for all four corners instead of just two so so quaity tires.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Red Dave

11-12-2004 09:17:32




Report to Moderator
 Re: 2 VS 4 snow tires on front wheel drive in reply to diggerdave, 11-12-2004 09:03:36  
This could be like asking whether red or green is a better color, there is likely to be a lot of differing opinions, But here goes anyway.

I have always put snow tires on drive wheels only. Front or rear wheel drive, whichever it is, that's where I put them. I've had front wheel drives, rear wheel drives, all wheel drives, you name it, I've probably had one at some time or another. I've never had much trouble getting around in snow.

Now remember, I'm in PA. Some years we get a lot of snow, some years we get very little. Where you live conditions could be radically different from where I live.

For the past 20 years I've run all-season tires on everything I have, 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive. When the snow gets bad, I park the 2 wheel and run the Jeep. It doesn't seem to care about snow.

BTW, I like red ;)

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Pitch

11-13-2004 02:52:41




Report to Moderator
 Re: 2 VS 4 snow tires on front wheel drive in reply to Red Dave, 11-12-2004 09:17:32  
My wife has a 98 Lumina first year we ran the all season. Car sucked always torque steered for the right hand ditch when it was slippery. Second year ran studded snow on the front much better. You just had to be careful braking cause the back end was squirilly. Third year went to four studded what a car I routinely drive by four wheelers in the ditch. As stable and surefooted as anything I've ever driven. Folks claim that all season are ok and they are but 4 snows are head and shoulders above.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Mark - IN.

11-13-2004 03:15:21




Report to Moderator
 Re: 2 VS 4 snow tires on front wheel drive in reply to Pitch, 11-13-2004 02:52:41  
You know Pitch, never having had a front wheel drive car, I always wondered about the need for snow tires on the rear. Always figured since was dragged around, didn't need. But, makes sense that the additional deeper grooves would make for better handling.

As far as "all season" tires go, is no comparison to snow tires on snow. Have two Dodge 4x4 Rams and neither is worth a squat with all season Michelins in the snow. The 2500 gets snows front and back for the winter, but leave all seasons on the 150 since use is toll road back and forth between IL and IN every week, and toll road is usually clean. But that don't mean I drive either fast - never can tell about that black ice - I do 50 (in winter), get passed by some doing 70+, then pass them down the toll road in the backwards in a ditch.

Front and rear snows on a front wheel drive? Probably not a bad idea to go out a few extra $$$ to make sure the wife and kids are safer.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy