I’m replacing two tyres next week, one on the front, one on the back. The other two tyres have about 4.5 mm left. All in readiness for it’s mot. Would you:- 1. Just replace the tyres as they are or 2. Put the two new ones on the front or 3. Put the two new ones on the rear? Obviously a front wheel drive car. Thanks, H.
It could also depend upon what type of tyres they are as much as the advice others have already said about FWD cars and safety in which axle to fit new tyres.
1. If the existing tyres (assuming they are all matching) are of the asymmetric type, then you can safely transfer existing (part worn) tyres (plus attached wheel) so that the new ones are on the rear axle and the existing ones are on the front.
The fitter may charge a small extra fee to change where you have to swap one fitted tyre to the other axle, but a nice one may not bother to charge you.
2. If the existing tyres are of the directional type, then what you can do depends upon where the remaining two are fitted and the costs involved to resolve any issues as a result. If the remaining tyres are fitted at opposite corners, then you're ok to move the one from the front to the rear, like in one, just like when 'rotating' tyres to keep the wear even.
If they are both fitted on the same side, then the only way to safely put that remaining rear tyre on the front axle is to remove it from the wheel and have it refitted to the other front wheel so that the direction (>>) is still forward on the tread in order to get the proper (safe) traction. That means essentially the same fitting (and balancing) cost as the two new tyres, both of which will now go on the rear axle.
You'd have to pay for 3 fittings instead of two.
At least your wasn't a 4WD Audi - you'd probably have to change out all 4 tyres to avoid issues with variances in tread depth that some systems chuck a wobbly over, which wouldn't be good for safety, reliability / driveability or likely wear of the tyres.
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