It’s best to replace tires according to a regular maintenance schedule, and having all four tires replaced at once is best. But sometimes, life gets in the way and for one reason or another, tires aren’t replaced all at once.

When buying tires two at a time, customers often ask if the new tires will perform best in the front or the back. Perhaps surprisingly, in general, the answer is that new tires perform best in the back – even on a front-wheel drive car. It may sound crazy, but it’s true!

Tires with brand new treads, mounted on the front-end, will help with starting traction in snow or other slippery conditions. But in those same types of conditions, having worn tires in the back can cause the rear-end to slide out when maneuvering or stopping. Once the rear wheels begin to slide, the car is much harder to control, increasing the chance of an accident. But since the front wheels can be steered, you have a much better chance of regaining control if the front wheels slide than if the rear wheels slide.

We recommend that you replace all four tires when it’s time to, but if you can’t, put the new tires on the back!

If you’re not sure if it’s time for a new set of tires, you might want to check out this page on tire maintenance published by Consumer Reports.  If you find that you don’t have much tread left on your current tires, swing by our store to save on a new set!

Have you observed any of these signs of trouble when inspecting your tires?

• Cracking or cuts in the sidewalls.
• Uneven tread wear. This can be caused by improper inflation, misaligned wheels, damaged tires, or by problems with suspension parts.
• Excessively worn tread. Most modern tires have tread-wear indicator bars running across the tread, which signal the minimum allowable tread depth of 1/16-inch. When the tread wears down to these bars, it’s time for new tires. Inexpensive tread-wear gauges are available at auto-parts and tire stores.
• Bulges or blisters. If you see a bulge or blister on the sidewall, replace the tire at once. These signal potential weak spots that could lead to tire failure.
• Excessive vibration. Tire vibration may be a sign a wheel is misaligned, unbalanced, or bent. It could also signify internal tire damage. Don’t ignore vibration: Have the vehicle serviced at once.

If yes, then according to Consumer Reports, your tires are exhibiting early warning signs of tire failure.  Stop by Frank’s Tire for a new set of tires to keep yourself and your family safe!