Why use snow tires on all 4 wheels on 2-wheel-drive cars?
In a car without four-wheel drive—if the car provides drive power on only two wheels—why put snow tires on all four wheels when the freeze sets in? Would it not be sufficient to change just the drive wheels? Is it just a question of use of the wheels and the extra use of two wheels for 12 months, while the other two pairs are being used nine months and three months would complicate things like wheel rotation?
Related: need for matching tires on 4-wheel drive cars
Edit:
About braking: In this question we're more concerned about avoiding to get stuck. It's reasonably clear that having four winter tires offers better braking, but we are in this instant comparing four non-winter tires with two winter and two non-winter. Regardless, after you read Paulster's answer, it will be easy to extrapolate what would happen if your car was not oriented in the direction of motion and you attempted to brake, but someone who brakes during turns over snow or ice, with any kind of tires, is probably in a very bad position anyway.
tires winter
edited 4 hours ago
studog
1031
asked yesterday
CalafCalaf
79631225
|
show 1 more comment
In a car without four-wheel drive—if the car provides drive power on only two wheels—why put snow tires on all four wheels when the freeze sets in? Would it not be sufficient to change just the drive wheels? Is it just a question of use of the wheels and the extra use of two wheels for 12 months, while the other two pairs are being used nine months and three months would complicate things like wheel rotation?
Related: need for matching tires on 4-wheel drive cars
Edit:
About braking: In this question we're more concerned about avoiding to get stuck. It's reasonably clear that having four winter tires offers better braking, but we are in this instant comparing four non-winter tires with two winter and two non-winter. Regardless, after you read Paulster's answer, it will be easy to extrapolate what would happen if your car was not oriented in the direction of motion and you attempted to brake, but someone who brakes during turns over snow or ice, with any kind of tires, is probably in a very bad position anyway.
tires winter
edited 4 hours ago
studog
1031
asked yesterday
CalafCalaf
79631225
2
That's a really good question and unfairly under-voted: You can't imagine how many times I've heard that:You only need winter tires on the driving axle.
– Stelios Adamantidis
yesterday
1
I only had a pair of snow chains, and the advise was to put them on the steering axle (ie the front) in preference to the rear/driven axle. Absolutely 4 chains would have been better but chaining the front made the best use of what I had. Steering and stopping is more important than getting going, cos if you can't go you don't need to stop.
– Criggie
19 hours ago
2
You're confusing "traction" with "drive". You get winter tires for the explicit purpose of ensuring traction on the wheels, whether you put them on drive wheels or not. To have traction means for the wheels to have sufficient friction against the ground to be able to affect the vehicle's handling. If your front wheels don't have traction you won't be able to steer. If your drive wheels don't have traction you won't be able to accelerate. Any wheel without traction will be unable to contribute to breaking.
– Kapten-N
14 hours ago
@Kapten-N Hence my title was inaccurate, is what you're saying; right? Good point. Fixing.
– Calaf
14 hours ago
3
@Criggie - I grew up in the mountains of Montana (USA). In Montana, chains are a way of life in the winter. I never saw anyone put chains on the non-drive axles. Chains are for traction to get you going, not for turning. Also, while you are using chains, you aren't supposed to go over a certain speed (IIRC it's 30-35mph). Going faster causes instability and the chains will beat your car to death. Due to this, stopping/turning is a lot less hazardous. If you doubt what I'm saying, read this article.
– Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2♦
12 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
In a car without four-wheel drive—if the car provides drive power on only two wheels—why put snow tires on all four wheels when the freeze sets in? Would it not be sufficient to change just the drive wheels? Is it just a question of use of the wheels and the extra use of two wheels for 12 months, while the other two pairs are being used nine months and three months would complicate things like wheel rotation?
Related: need for matching tires on 4-wheel drive cars
Edit:
About braking: In this question we're more concerned about avoiding to get stuck. It's reasonably clear that having four winter tires offers better braking, but we are in this instant comparing four non-winter tires with two winter and two non-winter. Regardless, after you read Paulster's answer, it will be easy to extrapolate what would happen if your car was not oriented in the direction of motion and you attempted to brake, but someone who brakes during turns over snow or ice, with any kind of tires, is probably in a very bad position anyway.
tires winter
edited 4 hours ago
studog
1031
asked yesterday
CalafCalaf
79631225
In a car without four-wheel drive—if the car provides drive power on only two wheels—why put snow tires on all four wheels when the freeze sets in? Would it not be sufficient to change just the drive wheels? Is it just a question of use of the wheels and the extra use of two wheels for 12 months, while the other two pairs are being used nine months and three months would complicate things like wheel rotation?
Related: need for matching tires on 4-wheel drive cars
Edit:
About braking: In this question we're more concerned about avoiding to get stuck. It's reasonably clear that having four winter tires offers better braking, but we are in this instant comparing four non-winter tires with two winter and two non-winter. Regardless, after you read Paulster's answer, it will be easy to extrapolate what would happen if your car was not oriented in the direction of motion and you attempted to brake, but someone who brakes during turns over snow or ice, with any kind of tires, is probably in a very bad position anyway.
tires winter
tires winter
edited 4 hours ago
studog
1031
asked yesterday
CalafCalaf
79631225
edited 4 hours ago
studog
1031
asked yesterday
CalafCalaf
79631225
edited 4 hours ago
studog
1031
edited 4 hours ago
studog
1031
edited 4 hours ago
studog
1031
1031
asked yesterday
CalafCalaf
79631225
asked yesterday
CalafCalaf
79631225
asked yesterday
CalafCalaf
79631225
79631225
2
That's a really good question and unfairly under-voted: You can't imagine how many times I've heard that:You only need winter tires on the driving axle.
– Stelios Adamantidis
yesterday
1
I only had a pair of snow chains, and the advise was to put them on the steering axle (ie the front) in preference to the rear/driven axle. Absolutely 4 chains would have been better but chaining the front made the best use of what I had. Steering and stopping is more important than getting going, cos if you can't go you don't need to stop.
– Criggie
19 hours ago
2
You're confusing "traction" with "drive". You get winter tires for the explicit purpose of ensuring traction on the wheels, whether you put them on drive wheels or not. To have traction means for the wheels to have sufficient friction against the ground to be able to affect the vehicle's handling. If your front wheels don't have traction you won't be able to steer. If your drive wheels don't have traction you won't be able to accelerate. Any wheel without traction will be unable to contribute to breaking.
– Kapten-N
14 hours ago
@Kapten-N Hence my title was inaccurate, is what you're saying; right? Good point. Fixing.
– Calaf
14 hours ago
3
@Criggie - I grew up in the mountains of Montana (USA). In Montana, chains are a way of life in the winter. I never saw anyone put chains on the non-drive axles. Chains are for traction to get you going, not for turning. Also, while you are using chains, you aren't supposed to go over a certain speed (IIRC it's 30-35mph). Going faster causes instability and the chains will beat your car to death. Due to this, stopping/turning is a lot less hazardous. If you doubt what I'm saying, read this article.
– Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2♦
12 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
2
That's a really good question and unfairly under-voted: You can't imagine how many times I've heard that:You only need winter tires on the driving axle.
– Stelios Adamantidis
yesterday
1
I only had a pair of snow chains, and the advise was to put them on the steering axle (ie the front) in preference to the rear/driven axle. Absolutely 4 chains would have been better but chaining the front made the best use of what I had. Steering and stopping is more important than getting going, cos if you can't go you don't need to stop.
– Criggie
19 hours ago
2
You're confusing "traction" with "drive". You get winter tires for the explicit purpose of ensuring traction on the wheels, whether you put them on drive wheels or not. To have traction means for the wheels to have sufficient friction against the ground to be able to affect the vehicle's handling. If your front wheels don't have traction you won't be able to steer. If your drive wheels don't have traction you won't be able to accelerate. Any wheel without traction will be unable to contribute to breaking.
– Kapten-N
14 hours ago
@Kapten-N Hence my title was inaccurate, is what you're saying; right? Good point. Fixing.
– Calaf
14 hours ago
3
@Criggie - I grew up in the mountains of Montana (USA). In Montana, chains are a way of life in the winter. I never saw anyone put chains on the non-drive axles. Chains are for traction to get you going, not for turning. Also, while you are using chains, you aren't supposed to go over a certain speed (IIRC it's 30-35mph). Going faster causes instability and the chains will beat your car to death. Due to this, stopping/turning is a lot less hazardous. If you doubt what I'm saying, read this article.
– Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2♦
12 hours ago
2
2
That's a really good question and unfairly under-voted: You can't imagine how many times I've heard that:
You only need winter tires on the driving axle.– Stelios Adamantidis
yesterday
That's a really good question and unfairly under-voted: You can't imagine how many times I've heard that:
You only need winter tires on the driving axle.– Stelios Adamantidis
yesterday
1
1
I only had a pair of snow chains, and the advise was to put them on the steering axle (ie the front) in preference to the rear/driven axle. Absolutely 4 chains would have been better but chaining the front made the best use of what I had. Steering and stopping is more important than getting going, cos if you can't go you don't need to stop.
– Criggie
19 hours ago
I only had a pair of snow chains, and the advise was to put them on the steering axle (ie the front) in preference to the rear/driven axle. Absolutely 4 chains would have been better but chaining the front made the best use of what I had. Steering and stopping is more important than getting going, cos if you can't go you don't need to stop.
– Criggie
19 hours ago
2
2
You're confusing "traction" with "drive". You get winter tires for the explicit purpose of ensuring traction on the wheels, whether you put them on drive wheels or not. To have traction means for the wheels to have sufficient friction against the ground to be able to affect the vehicle's handling. If your front wheels don't have traction you won't be able to steer. If your drive wheels don't have traction you won't be able to accelerate. Any wheel without traction will be unable to contribute to breaking.
– Kapten-N
14 hours ago
You're confusing "traction" with "drive". You get winter tires for the explicit purpose of ensuring traction on the wheels, whether you put them on drive wheels or not. To have traction means for the wheels to have sufficient friction against the ground to be able to affect the vehicle's handling. If your front wheels don't have traction you won't be able to steer. If your drive wheels don't have traction you won't be able to accelerate. Any wheel without traction will be unable to contribute to breaking.
– Kapten-N
14 hours ago
@Kapten-N Hence my title was inaccurate, is what you're saying; right? Good point. Fixing.
– Calaf
14 hours ago
@Kapten-N Hence my title was inaccurate, is what you're saying; right? Good point. Fixing.
– Calaf
14 hours ago
3
3
@Criggie - I grew up in the mountains of Montana (USA). In Montana, chains are a way of life in the winter. I never saw anyone put chains on the non-drive axles. Chains are for traction to get you going, not for turning. Also, while you are using chains, you aren't supposed to go over a certain speed (IIRC it's 30-35mph). Going faster causes instability and the chains will beat your car to death. Due to this, stopping/turning is a lot less hazardous. If you doubt what I'm saying, read this article.
– Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2♦
12 hours ago
@Criggie - I grew up in the mountains of Montana (USA). In Montana, chains are a way of life in the winter. I never saw anyone put chains on the non-drive axles. Chains are for traction to get you going, not for turning. Also, while you are using chains, you aren't supposed to go over a certain speed (IIRC it's 30-35mph). Going faster causes instability and the chains will beat your car to death. Due to this, stopping/turning is a lot less hazardous. If you doubt what I'm saying, read this article.
– Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2♦
12 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
What you are failing to realize is the non-drive axle provides stability. Yes, the two tires with power going to the ground needs traction to motivate the vehicle down the road, however, you still need to be able to control the vehicle. Regardless of whether your drive axle is up front or in the rear, the opposite axle provides the means to keep the vehicle on the road.
Front Wheel Drive - Without traction on the rear end, it will tend to slip out from under the vehicle as you go around corners, causing you to spin out.
Rear Wheel Drive - Without traction in the front end, you'll not have the same steering ability. Your car will tend to keep driving straight as you are trying to turn.
In either case, if you need traction to go, you also need the traction to stop. Not having the traction on both axles severely limits your ability to get a moving vehicle slowed and stopped.
If you need snow tires on one end of your vehicle, you need them on the other.
EDIT:
Special thanks to Kitsunemimi and Bob Cross for finding this video which directly talks to what I've said.
answered yesterday
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2♦Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
110k18171365
2
I can vouch for the behaviour of a car with winter tires on the front drive wheels and summer tires on the rear... You have to be VERY quick with the opposite lock to catch the back end ... A good exercise to practice your skills when no-one else is around... :)
– Solar Mike
yesterday
3
@SolarMike Relevant: youtu.be/A5aMnmekA38 . There's just something hilarious about seeing this from a FWD car!
– Kitsunemimi
yesterday
7
I would explicitly call out the fact that all four wheels have brakes. The sort of people who don't implicitly understand the value of non drive wheel snow tires probably won't realize that either.
– wedstrom
yesterday
2
Having mismatched tires can be dangerous under any circumstances. I once had winter tires only on the rear of my RWD car, which had a tendency to follow road grooves more than the front. On a long highway trip in dry weather, I found that truck ruts would make whole car oscillate as the rear pulled to one side, making the car point the opposite direction, back and forth. At 60 MPH it was sometimes hard to stay in my lane, and I could have lost control if I needed to stop hard or swerve to avoid something. The constant attention took also focus away from my surroundings and was fatiguing.
– mbmcavoy
yesterday
1
Another interesting reference video is what in Dutch is called "ice driving". They take a FWD car and put its rear axle on swing wheels to mimic what it's like to have no sideways traction on your non-drive axle. It's really hard to steer this (I did this exact thing in Zandvoort - it was fun but hard).
– Flater
17 hours ago
|
show 4 more comments
Because the need for traction for movement in the winter is just a small part of the need for traction for BRAKING in the winter.
Also, four winter tires help when cornering.
answered yesterday
Calin CeterasCalin Ceteras
411
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1
Paulster's answer already says all of this.
– David Richerby
yesterday
add a comment |
Apart from the aspect of controlling the car and braking mentioned, it's also worth to mention that summer tyre's rubber gets very hard during winter and will be much more prone to wear because of usage in conditions they were not designed for.
On the other hand, winter tyres get very soft in summer conditions, also leading to high wear and reduced grip.
However, while winter tyres in summer will usually degrade more evenly (similar to a soft summer tyre, like a semi-slick or rain-grip oriented one), the summer tyre's rubber in winter will behave more like an old rubber and start losing small fragments, usually on the edges of tyre tread pattern.
answered 16 hours ago
RacheyRachey
212
New contributor
Rachey is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Then you should also mention that the rubber used for winter tires degrades very rapidly in summer and they are not designed for use in the summer temperatures...
– Solar Mike
16 hours ago
@SolarMike They of course do, as the rubber gets very soft, however the question was regarding using summer tyres in winter, which is why I didn't mention the summer. I will edit the answer though.
– Rachey
16 hours ago
I thought the question was about having 2 or 4 winter tires....
– Solar Mike
16 hours ago
And if you have two winter tires on, it follows that you have two all seasons or summers on as well. It's relevant to the question, imo.
– Adonalsium
8 hours ago
add a comment |
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
What you are failing to realize is the non-drive axle provides stability. Yes, the two tires with power going to the ground needs traction to motivate the vehicle down the road, however, you still need to be able to control the vehicle. Regardless of whether your drive axle is up front or in the rear, the opposite axle provides the means to keep the vehicle on the road.
Front Wheel Drive - Without traction on the rear end, it will tend to slip out from under the vehicle as you go around corners, causing you to spin out.
Rear Wheel Drive - Without traction in the front end, you'll not have the same steering ability. Your car will tend to keep driving straight as you are trying to turn.
In either case, if you need traction to go, you also need the traction to stop. Not having the traction on both axles severely limits your ability to get a moving vehicle slowed and stopped.
If you need snow tires on one end of your vehicle, you need them on the other.
EDIT:
Special thanks to Kitsunemimi and Bob Cross for finding this video which directly talks to what I've said.
answered yesterday
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2♦Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
110k18171365
2
I can vouch for the behaviour of a car with winter tires on the front drive wheels and summer tires on the rear... You have to be VERY quick with the opposite lock to catch the back end ... A good exercise to practice your skills when no-one else is around... :)
– Solar Mike
yesterday
3
@SolarMike Relevant: youtu.be/A5aMnmekA38 . There's just something hilarious about seeing this from a FWD car!
– Kitsunemimi
yesterday
7
I would explicitly call out the fact that all four wheels have brakes. The sort of people who don't implicitly understand the value of non drive wheel snow tires probably won't realize that either.
– wedstrom
yesterday
2
Having mismatched tires can be dangerous under any circumstances. I once had winter tires only on the rear of my RWD car, which had a tendency to follow road grooves more than the front. On a long highway trip in dry weather, I found that truck ruts would make whole car oscillate as the rear pulled to one side, making the car point the opposite direction, back and forth. At 60 MPH it was sometimes hard to stay in my lane, and I could have lost control if I needed to stop hard or swerve to avoid something. The constant attention took also focus away from my surroundings and was fatiguing.
– mbmcavoy
yesterday
1
Another interesting reference video is what in Dutch is called "ice driving". They take a FWD car and put its rear axle on swing wheels to mimic what it's like to have no sideways traction on your non-drive axle. It's really hard to steer this (I did this exact thing in Zandvoort - it was fun but hard).
– Flater
17 hours ago
|
show 4 more comments
What you are failing to realize is the non-drive axle provides stability. Yes, the two tires with power going to the ground needs traction to motivate the vehicle down the road, however, you still need to be able to control the vehicle. Regardless of whether your drive axle is up front or in the rear, the opposite axle provides the means to keep the vehicle on the road.
Front Wheel Drive - Without traction on the rear end, it will tend to slip out from under the vehicle as you go around corners, causing you to spin out.
Rear Wheel Drive - Without traction in the front end, you'll not have the same steering ability. Your car will tend to keep driving straight as you are trying to turn.
In either case, if you need traction to go, you also need the traction to stop. Not having the traction on both axles severely limits your ability to get a moving vehicle slowed and stopped.
If you need snow tires on one end of your vehicle, you need them on the other.
EDIT:
Special thanks to Kitsunemimi and Bob Cross for finding this video which directly talks to what I've said.
answered yesterday
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2♦Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
110k18171365
2
I can vouch for the behaviour of a car with winter tires on the front drive wheels and summer tires on the rear... You have to be VERY quick with the opposite lock to catch the back end ... A good exercise to practice your skills when no-one else is around... :)
– Solar Mike
yesterday
3
@SolarMike Relevant: youtu.be/A5aMnmekA38 . There's just something hilarious about seeing this from a FWD car!
– Kitsunemimi
yesterday
7
I would explicitly call out the fact that all four wheels have brakes. The sort of people who don't implicitly understand the value of non drive wheel snow tires probably won't realize that either.
– wedstrom
yesterday
2
Having mismatched tires can be dangerous under any circumstances. I once had winter tires only on the rear of my RWD car, which had a tendency to follow road grooves more than the front. On a long highway trip in dry weather, I found that truck ruts would make whole car oscillate as the rear pulled to one side, making the car point the opposite direction, back and forth. At 60 MPH it was sometimes hard to stay in my lane, and I could have lost control if I needed to stop hard or swerve to avoid something. The constant attention took also focus away from my surroundings and was fatiguing.
– mbmcavoy
yesterday
1
Another interesting reference video is what in Dutch is called "ice driving". They take a FWD car and put its rear axle on swing wheels to mimic what it's like to have no sideways traction on your non-drive axle. It's really hard to steer this (I did this exact thing in Zandvoort - it was fun but hard).
– Flater
17 hours ago
|
show 4 more comments
What you are failing to realize is the non-drive axle provides stability. Yes, the two tires with power going to the ground needs traction to motivate the vehicle down the road, however, you still need to be able to control the vehicle. Regardless of whether your drive axle is up front or in the rear, the opposite axle provides the means to keep the vehicle on the road.
Front Wheel Drive - Without traction on the rear end, it will tend to slip out from under the vehicle as you go around corners, causing you to spin out.
Rear Wheel Drive - Without traction in the front end, you'll not have the same steering ability. Your car will tend to keep driving straight as you are trying to turn.
In either case, if you need traction to go, you also need the traction to stop. Not having the traction on both axles severely limits your ability to get a moving vehicle slowed and stopped.
If you need snow tires on one end of your vehicle, you need them on the other.
EDIT:
Special thanks to Kitsunemimi and Bob Cross for finding this video which directly talks to what I've said.
answered yesterday
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2♦Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
110k18171365
What you are failing to realize is the non-drive axle provides stability. Yes, the two tires with power going to the ground needs traction to motivate the vehicle down the road, however, you still need to be able to control the vehicle. Regardless of whether your drive axle is up front or in the rear, the opposite axle provides the means to keep the vehicle on the road.
Front Wheel Drive - Without traction on the rear end, it will tend to slip out from under the vehicle as you go around corners, causing you to spin out.
Rear Wheel Drive - Without traction in the front end, you'll not have the same steering ability. Your car will tend to keep driving straight as you are trying to turn.
In either case, if you need traction to go, you also need the traction to stop. Not having the traction on both axles severely limits your ability to get a moving vehicle slowed and stopped.
If you need snow tires on one end of your vehicle, you need them on the other.
EDIT:
Special thanks to Kitsunemimi and Bob Cross for finding this video which directly talks to what I've said.
answered yesterday
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2♦Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
110k18171365
edited yesterday
answered yesterday
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2♦Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
110k18171365
answered yesterday
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2♦Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
110k18171365
answered yesterday
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2♦Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
110k18171365
110k18171365
2
I can vouch for the behaviour of a car with winter tires on the front drive wheels and summer tires on the rear... You have to be VERY quick with the opposite lock to catch the back end ... A good exercise to practice your skills when no-one else is around... :)
– Solar Mike
yesterday
3
@SolarMike Relevant: youtu.be/A5aMnmekA38 . There's just something hilarious about seeing this from a FWD car!
– Kitsunemimi
yesterday
7
I would explicitly call out the fact that all four wheels have brakes. The sort of people who don't implicitly understand the value of non drive wheel snow tires probably won't realize that either.
– wedstrom
yesterday
2
Having mismatched tires can be dangerous under any circumstances. I once had winter tires only on the rear of my RWD car, which had a tendency to follow road grooves more than the front. On a long highway trip in dry weather, I found that truck ruts would make whole car oscillate as the rear pulled to one side, making the car point the opposite direction, back and forth. At 60 MPH it was sometimes hard to stay in my lane, and I could have lost control if I needed to stop hard or swerve to avoid something. The constant attention took also focus away from my surroundings and was fatiguing.
– mbmcavoy
yesterday
1
Another interesting reference video is what in Dutch is called "ice driving". They take a FWD car and put its rear axle on swing wheels to mimic what it's like to have no sideways traction on your non-drive axle. It's really hard to steer this (I did this exact thing in Zandvoort - it was fun but hard).
– Flater
17 hours ago
|
show 4 more comments
2
I can vouch for the behaviour of a car with winter tires on the front drive wheels and summer tires on the rear... You have to be VERY quick with the opposite lock to catch the back end ... A good exercise to practice your skills when no-one else is around... :)
– Solar Mike
yesterday
3
@SolarMike Relevant: youtu.be/A5aMnmekA38 . There's just something hilarious about seeing this from a FWD car!
– Kitsunemimi
yesterday
7
I would explicitly call out the fact that all four wheels have brakes. The sort of people who don't implicitly understand the value of non drive wheel snow tires probably won't realize that either.
– wedstrom
yesterday
2
Having mismatched tires can be dangerous under any circumstances. I once had winter tires only on the rear of my RWD car, which had a tendency to follow road grooves more than the front. On a long highway trip in dry weather, I found that truck ruts would make whole car oscillate as the rear pulled to one side, making the car point the opposite direction, back and forth. At 60 MPH it was sometimes hard to stay in my lane, and I could have lost control if I needed to stop hard or swerve to avoid something. The constant attention took also focus away from my surroundings and was fatiguing.
– mbmcavoy
yesterday
1
Another interesting reference video is what in Dutch is called "ice driving". They take a FWD car and put its rear axle on swing wheels to mimic what it's like to have no sideways traction on your non-drive axle. It's really hard to steer this (I did this exact thing in Zandvoort - it was fun but hard).
– Flater
17 hours ago
2
2
I can vouch for the behaviour of a car with winter tires on the front drive wheels and summer tires on the rear... You have to be VERY quick with the opposite lock to catch the back end ... A good exercise to practice your skills when no-one else is around... :)
– Solar Mike
yesterday
I can vouch for the behaviour of a car with winter tires on the front drive wheels and summer tires on the rear... You have to be VERY quick with the opposite lock to catch the back end ... A good exercise to practice your skills when no-one else is around... :)
– Solar Mike
yesterday
3
3
@SolarMike Relevant: youtu.be/A5aMnmekA38 . There's just something hilarious about seeing this from a FWD car!
– Kitsunemimi
yesterday
@SolarMike Relevant: youtu.be/A5aMnmekA38 . There's just something hilarious about seeing this from a FWD car!
– Kitsunemimi
yesterday
7
7
I would explicitly call out the fact that all four wheels have brakes. The sort of people who don't implicitly understand the value of non drive wheel snow tires probably won't realize that either.
– wedstrom
yesterday
I would explicitly call out the fact that all four wheels have brakes. The sort of people who don't implicitly understand the value of non drive wheel snow tires probably won't realize that either.
– wedstrom
yesterday
2
2
Having mismatched tires can be dangerous under any circumstances. I once had winter tires only on the rear of my RWD car, which had a tendency to follow road grooves more than the front. On a long highway trip in dry weather, I found that truck ruts would make whole car oscillate as the rear pulled to one side, making the car point the opposite direction, back and forth. At 60 MPH it was sometimes hard to stay in my lane, and I could have lost control if I needed to stop hard or swerve to avoid something. The constant attention took also focus away from my surroundings and was fatiguing.
– mbmcavoy
yesterday
Having mismatched tires can be dangerous under any circumstances. I once had winter tires only on the rear of my RWD car, which had a tendency to follow road grooves more than the front. On a long highway trip in dry weather, I found that truck ruts would make whole car oscillate as the rear pulled to one side, making the car point the opposite direction, back and forth. At 60 MPH it was sometimes hard to stay in my lane, and I could have lost control if I needed to stop hard or swerve to avoid something. The constant attention took also focus away from my surroundings and was fatiguing.
– mbmcavoy
yesterday
1
1
Another interesting reference video is what in Dutch is called "ice driving". They take a FWD car and put its rear axle on swing wheels to mimic what it's like to have no sideways traction on your non-drive axle. It's really hard to steer this (I did this exact thing in Zandvoort - it was fun but hard).
– Flater
17 hours ago
Another interesting reference video is what in Dutch is called "ice driving". They take a FWD car and put its rear axle on swing wheels to mimic what it's like to have no sideways traction on your non-drive axle. It's really hard to steer this (I did this exact thing in Zandvoort - it was fun but hard).
– Flater
17 hours ago
|
show 4 more comments
Because the need for traction for movement in the winter is just a small part of the need for traction for BRAKING in the winter.
Also, four winter tires help when cornering.
answered yesterday
Calin CeterasCalin Ceteras
411
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1
Paulster's answer already says all of this.
– David Richerby
yesterday
add a comment |
Because the need for traction for movement in the winter is just a small part of the need for traction for BRAKING in the winter.
Also, four winter tires help when cornering.
answered yesterday
Calin CeterasCalin Ceteras
411
New contributor
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Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
Paulster's answer already says all of this.
– David Richerby
yesterday
add a comment |
Because the need for traction for movement in the winter is just a small part of the need for traction for BRAKING in the winter.
Also, four winter tires help when cornering.
answered yesterday
Calin CeterasCalin Ceteras
411
New contributor
Calin Ceteras is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Because the need for traction for movement in the winter is just a small part of the need for traction for BRAKING in the winter.
Also, four winter tires help when cornering.
answered yesterday
Calin CeterasCalin Ceteras
411
New contributor
Calin Ceteras is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered yesterday
Calin CeterasCalin Ceteras
411
New contributor
Calin Ceteras is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered yesterday
Calin CeterasCalin Ceteras
411
answered yesterday
Calin CeterasCalin Ceteras
411
411
New contributor
Calin Ceteras is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Calin Ceteras is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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Calin Ceteras is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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1
Paulster's answer already says all of this.
– David Richerby
yesterday
add a comment |
1
Paulster's answer already says all of this.
– David Richerby
yesterday
1
1
Paulster's answer already says all of this.
– David Richerby
yesterday
Paulster's answer already says all of this.
– David Richerby
yesterday
add a comment |
Apart from the aspect of controlling the car and braking mentioned, it's also worth to mention that summer tyre's rubber gets very hard during winter and will be much more prone to wear because of usage in conditions they were not designed for.
On the other hand, winter tyres get very soft in summer conditions, also leading to high wear and reduced grip.
However, while winter tyres in summer will usually degrade more evenly (similar to a soft summer tyre, like a semi-slick or rain-grip oriented one), the summer tyre's rubber in winter will behave more like an old rubber and start losing small fragments, usually on the edges of tyre tread pattern.
answered 16 hours ago
RacheyRachey
212
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Then you should also mention that the rubber used for winter tires degrades very rapidly in summer and they are not designed for use in the summer temperatures...
– Solar Mike
16 hours ago
@SolarMike They of course do, as the rubber gets very soft, however the question was regarding using summer tyres in winter, which is why I didn't mention the summer. I will edit the answer though.
– Rachey
16 hours ago
I thought the question was about having 2 or 4 winter tires....
– Solar Mike
16 hours ago
And if you have two winter tires on, it follows that you have two all seasons or summers on as well. It's relevant to the question, imo.
– Adonalsium
8 hours ago
add a comment |
Apart from the aspect of controlling the car and braking mentioned, it's also worth to mention that summer tyre's rubber gets very hard during winter and will be much more prone to wear because of usage in conditions they were not designed for.
On the other hand, winter tyres get very soft in summer conditions, also leading to high wear and reduced grip.
However, while winter tyres in summer will usually degrade more evenly (similar to a soft summer tyre, like a semi-slick or rain-grip oriented one), the summer tyre's rubber in winter will behave more like an old rubber and start losing small fragments, usually on the edges of tyre tread pattern.
answered 16 hours ago
RacheyRachey
212
New contributor
Rachey is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Then you should also mention that the rubber used for winter tires degrades very rapidly in summer and they are not designed for use in the summer temperatures...
– Solar Mike
16 hours ago
@SolarMike They of course do, as the rubber gets very soft, however the question was regarding using summer tyres in winter, which is why I didn't mention the summer. I will edit the answer though.
– Rachey
16 hours ago
I thought the question was about having 2 or 4 winter tires....
– Solar Mike
16 hours ago
And if you have two winter tires on, it follows that you have two all seasons or summers on as well. It's relevant to the question, imo.
– Adonalsium
8 hours ago
add a comment |
Apart from the aspect of controlling the car and braking mentioned, it's also worth to mention that summer tyre's rubber gets very hard during winter and will be much more prone to wear because of usage in conditions they were not designed for.
On the other hand, winter tyres get very soft in summer conditions, also leading to high wear and reduced grip.
However, while winter tyres in summer will usually degrade more evenly (similar to a soft summer tyre, like a semi-slick or rain-grip oriented one), the summer tyre's rubber in winter will behave more like an old rubber and start losing small fragments, usually on the edges of tyre tread pattern.
answered 16 hours ago
RacheyRachey
212
New contributor
Rachey is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Apart from the aspect of controlling the car and braking mentioned, it's also worth to mention that summer tyre's rubber gets very hard during winter and will be much more prone to wear because of usage in conditions they were not designed for.
On the other hand, winter tyres get very soft in summer conditions, also leading to high wear and reduced grip.
However, while winter tyres in summer will usually degrade more evenly (similar to a soft summer tyre, like a semi-slick or rain-grip oriented one), the summer tyre's rubber in winter will behave more like an old rubber and start losing small fragments, usually on the edges of tyre tread pattern.
answered 16 hours ago
RacheyRachey
212
New contributor
Rachey is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 16 hours ago
answered 16 hours ago
RacheyRachey
212
New contributor
Rachey is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 16 hours ago
RacheyRachey
212
answered 16 hours ago
RacheyRachey
212
212
New contributor
Rachey is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Rachey is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Rachey is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Then you should also mention that the rubber used for winter tires degrades very rapidly in summer and they are not designed for use in the summer temperatures...
– Solar Mike
16 hours ago
@SolarMike They of course do, as the rubber gets very soft, however the question was regarding using summer tyres in winter, which is why I didn't mention the summer. I will edit the answer though.
– Rachey
16 hours ago
I thought the question was about having 2 or 4 winter tires....
– Solar Mike
16 hours ago
And if you have two winter tires on, it follows that you have two all seasons or summers on as well. It's relevant to the question, imo.
– Adonalsium
8 hours ago
add a comment |
Then you should also mention that the rubber used for winter tires degrades very rapidly in summer and they are not designed for use in the summer temperatures...
– Solar Mike
16 hours ago
@SolarMike They of course do, as the rubber gets very soft, however the question was regarding using summer tyres in winter, which is why I didn't mention the summer. I will edit the answer though.
– Rachey
16 hours ago
I thought the question was about having 2 or 4 winter tires....
– Solar Mike
16 hours ago
And if you have two winter tires on, it follows that you have two all seasons or summers on as well. It's relevant to the question, imo.
– Adonalsium
8 hours ago
Then you should also mention that the rubber used for winter tires degrades very rapidly in summer and they are not designed for use in the summer temperatures...
– Solar Mike
16 hours ago
Then you should also mention that the rubber used for winter tires degrades very rapidly in summer and they are not designed for use in the summer temperatures...
– Solar Mike
16 hours ago
@SolarMike They of course do, as the rubber gets very soft, however the question was regarding using summer tyres in winter, which is why I didn't mention the summer. I will edit the answer though.
– Rachey
16 hours ago
@SolarMike They of course do, as the rubber gets very soft, however the question was regarding using summer tyres in winter, which is why I didn't mention the summer. I will edit the answer though.
– Rachey
16 hours ago
I thought the question was about having 2 or 4 winter tires....
– Solar Mike
16 hours ago
I thought the question was about having 2 or 4 winter tires....
– Solar Mike
16 hours ago
And if you have two winter tires on, it follows that you have two all seasons or summers on as well. It's relevant to the question, imo.
– Adonalsium
8 hours ago
And if you have two winter tires on, it follows that you have two all seasons or summers on as well. It's relevant to the question, imo.
– Adonalsium
8 hours ago
add a comment |
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2
That's a really good question and unfairly under-voted: You can't imagine how many times I've heard that:
You only need winter tires on the driving axle.– Stelios Adamantidis
yesterday
1
I only had a pair of snow chains, and the advise was to put them on the steering axle (ie the front) in preference to the rear/driven axle. Absolutely 4 chains would have been better but chaining the front made the best use of what I had. Steering and stopping is more important than getting going, cos if you can't go you don't need to stop.
– Criggie
19 hours ago
2
You're confusing "traction" with "drive". You get winter tires for the explicit purpose of ensuring traction on the wheels, whether you put them on drive wheels or not. To have traction means for the wheels to have sufficient friction against the ground to be able to affect the vehicle's handling. If your front wheels don't have traction you won't be able to steer. If your drive wheels don't have traction you won't be able to accelerate. Any wheel without traction will be unable to contribute to breaking.
– Kapten-N
14 hours ago
@Kapten-N Hence my title was inaccurate, is what you're saying; right? Good point. Fixing.
– Calaf
14 hours ago
3
@Criggie - I grew up in the mountains of Montana (USA). In Montana, chains are a way of life in the winter. I never saw anyone put chains on the non-drive axles. Chains are for traction to get you going, not for turning. Also, while you are using chains, you aren't supposed to go over a certain speed (IIRC it's 30-35mph). Going faster causes instability and the chains will beat your car to death. Due to this, stopping/turning is a lot less hazardous. If you doubt what I'm saying, read this article.
– Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2♦
12 hours ago