Wider tires on the front than rear?

[Kyogie12]

So this isn't for my DSM, it's for my 90 Accord (DD) i just picked up a little while ago. So it's finally snowing in colorado and i realized i still have some old 15" rims from my 94 prelude a while back. There are winterforce snow tires on all 4 rims, however 2 of them are shot due to the idiot lowering the car before i bought it and messed up the camber. So i have 2 good winterforce tires on these rims size is 195/60/15. I also happen to have 2 good pair of all season tires but the size on those are 195/55/15, so a little smaller. I was thinking i'd put the winterforce on the front(bigger) and the all seasons on back. Since its a FWD car it needs the better traction up front. What would this do to handling or performance? Anything major?

Buying another set of winterforce to match the front 2 isn't a financial option at this point :/

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

No, That would work fine.

 

[bahamian4g63]

It will be fine, the 60 is just a little higher nothing major.

 

[Iowa99GST]

One thing I've heard (Correct me if I'm wrong) is that you want the tires that have better tread (I'm assuming for traction reasons) on the back, even if it's a FWD car, as this will help prevent your back end from sliding out while cornering. So you may want to put the WINTER tires on the back as they would give you better traction in winter conditions, and the all seasons should be fine for up front. You may spin a little, but if you don't floor it when taking off you shouldn't have an issue.

 

[Kyogie12]

One thing I've heard (Correct me if I'm wrong) is that you want the tires that have better tread (I'm assuming for traction reasons) on the back, even if it's a FWD car, as this will help prevent your back end from sliding out while cornering. So you may want to put the WINTER tires on the back as they would give you better traction in winter conditions, and the all seasons should be fine for up front. You may spin a little, but if you don't floor it when taking off you shouldn't have an issue.

Ya i was thinking about that...but it's also pretty hilly where i live and without Blizzaks on my 2g GST last year i would have been completely screwed.

 

[kspharris]

One thing I've heard (Correct me if I'm wrong) is that you want the tires that have better tread (I'm assuming for traction reasons) on the back, even if it's a FWD car, as this will help prevent your back end from sliding out while cornering. So you may want to put the WINTER tires on the back as they would give you better traction in winter conditions, and the all seasons should be fine for up front. You may spin a little, but if you don't floor it when taking off you shouldn't have an issue.

This is exactly right and you would want the "better" traction tires on the rear. However in the snow is a tad different because you would want the drive tires to have the best grip.

 

[Kev_tsi]

Yeah I was told by a wallmart employee when I perched two new tires that I needed to put them on the back rather than the front because of a chance the car fishtailing, I said no put them on the front like I asked you to .Look it has nothing to do with the need for better traction on the front but it has every thing to do with if I have a blow out at 70mph it is easier to control the car/truck if the blowout it is on the rear of the car. I say always have a good pair of tires for your steer tires.

 

[necrotopsy]

the tires wont be wider. the sidewalls will be taller.

60% of 195 vs. 55% of 195.

some difference, but not very much.

 

[1992GSX]

In the snow put them on the front. In good weather that may be the case, but you don't want to be stuck in the middle of an intersection in a blizzard because your front tires can't hook up. Not to mention most of your braking power will be up front. You don't want to have crappy tires up front where they would slide easily. Put them on the front, and the they'll fit just fine.

 

[Dhan]

When I was getting just two tires tires for my Acura, I remember I had a similar theory presented to me about having the "better" tires in the back even though the car was FWD. I gave it a shot.

Turned out to be a mistake.

Like what was stated above, the drive tires need to have the traction. On the slightest of inclines the front wheels would struggle to grip with even the tiniest bit of snow/ice on the ground. Goes without saying I switched the backs for fronts and kept it that way all winter with no problems.


There's only a few days out of the year you're driving on snow here anyway. The roads aren't white everyday

 

[Kyogie12]

Thanks guys! Hahaha yeah thankfully i'm not up north, but i'm in south boulder where it seems to snow the most along the front range :/ right up against the mountains. Part of having the great view is paying the price of snowy driving hahaha

 

[95tsiemad]

you would be fine

 

[Britell]

Winter driving conditions make having the proper kind of tires imperative. In environments where snow and ice are ever-present risks of the winter roadway, loss of traction can be fatal. Most vehicles come standard with all-season (aka all-weather) tires, but are they adequate? Exploring the winter vs. all-season tire controversy can expose the truth. Same topic here Deciding on winter versus all-season tires . Winter driving is really challenging.

 

[e85_4g63]

You always want the better tires on the steering axle. No matter what the conditions. Like everyone has already said, the difference in tire size you have there is next to nothing.