I was wondering how folks felt about putting different brand tires on the front than the back. I don't have $1000 to put into tires right now. My rear tires are still in good shape but the fronts are getting kinda thin. I was thinking of putting on some Michelin LT2 E rated tires on the front of the Excursion. I have some Kelly Safari tires all 4 right now and they seem to be good tires but the fronts are almost gone.

It hurts to spend over $200 on one tire especially when you know they will probably dry rot before getting anywhere near worn out.

Perry

 

It won't hurt a thing......but I would put the new on the rear and move the rears forward.

 

Why because the rears have more load on them when towing?

Perry

 

Tire shops now post notices (at least here in Central Florida)
REQUIRING that if you buy 2 new tires they MUST be put on the rear.
The explanation states that with new tires on the front, you would
tend to take turns too fast since the fronts have more grip/tread
and that would cause the rear to break-loose and cause a wreck.

I would put new on the rear, that will give them 5k miles to break-in
w/o being impacted by alignment/shock issues.

Then, when you buy the next 2 (again, on the rear) the
older tires get moved to the front (rotation) and the process repeats.

 

Sounds theoretically plausible but I doubt if it makes much difference. The surface area is still there and there are a number of variables that could occur while driving. I would just put them where you want them and drive. Regarding that Florida rule; How about the reduction in quality due to age etc, in the old tires that they want in the front where most of the handling comes from when there is a blowout? All hoopla, just put them on.

 

Misky:

I have to disagree with you about placing the new on the rear. From my truck driving days, we always placed the new tires on the front (steer axle). The best on the front for the reason, if the old are on the front and there is a blow out, you could have a serious crash. ( I have not purchased tires in the last 4 years so I will not comment on the sign you reference).

Place the new on the front and a rear blow out, you can control the blowout.

Just my two cents.

 

And not to mention the front tires take most of the braking force and more/better tread would be beneficial, especially in winter conditions.

 

Jim, EXv10,

It's not my opinion, I'm just saying what the sign says @ the tire shops.

I agree with you both.

Only Replacing 2 Tires? - Discount Tire


Here is the sign they post.

 

We always recommend putting the new pair on the front. The sign sounds like a scare tactic to get you to buy 4 tires instead. On the original question - no issues at all with running different types of tires on front/rear as long as they are the correct size and similar specs to the other pair.

 

My daddy always told me to put the new ones on the front. He also told me to never get an ARM mortgage and to save for a rainy day. I always put the 2 new on the front.

Control and braking happen most with the front. The car will go where you tell it to go, if it has traction to make it.

Two different, pair them on the same axle and call it good.

Just my $0.02

 

I agree with jasonodsky. Well put!

 

I did a bit of google research and learned some new things....though I drive to the capabilities of my poorest quality tire and listen/feel for a rear end kick out. To the unknowing/unaware driver, it may make sense to put the new on the rear, assuming the fronts are at a serviceable depth.

Tire Replacement Guidelines | Firestone Complete Auto Care

 

All my previous vehicles have been front-wheel drive. If I only bought two, I always put the freshest on the front. I figured that was the advice because 1) the front were usually the most worn of the set and 2) those were the drive wheels so you'd have the best traction.

I haven't really given it much thought since buying the Ex, but I guess I figured if only 2 were worn they would be the rear and I'd just replace them for the same reasons as listed above.

 

This is one of those things you were always told....but is wrong.........your best tread should always be on the rear! please do some research if you do not believe me. I too believed front was best once. Until I spent 3 days at Michelins test track in SC. They will tell you....and can show you.

 

To clarify to everyone... this has nothing to do with the fact that the Excursion is a (predominately) rear wheel drive vehicle... Think about it.... you get cut off, crank the steering wheel to avoid a collision...

new tires on the front... front end grips, rear slips... you spin out and broadside whatever it was you were trying to avoid anyway
new tires on the rear... front end plows/understeers when its traction limit is exceeded and the rear stays put... you DON'T spin out!