It's generally been poopood on forums like whirlpool also.
The long and short of it is that, these days, industry experts (read tyre manufacturers) have done a complete about face on their recommendations from 10 or so years ago.
Which they are entirely entitled to do. However, in general, the people who's daily lives depend on their cars don't acknowledge the change.
I disagree Surferdude,
For the recommendations to do a 180, means that the original advice must have been BS, based on some incorrect assumptions. The unknowing general public are entitled to better advice than this IMO.
I'm with Gonz, I treat the tyres as two pairs. With ESP available, the different coefficient of grip in an emergency is handled by the vehicle, more than the driver.
I see your point Phil. I think though, that the "new tyres on the front" advice has been around since the advent of the motor car. Over the nearly 40 years I have been involved in the industry there has been a lot (and I mean a LOT) of testing - by tyre manufacturers and by vehicle manufacturers and by both in conjunction with one another. A range of testers and testing is (are?) used. IIRC, about 15 years ago, some testing suggested the "new tyres to the rear" philosophy.
More testing was (and still is being) done. With the greater impact of FWD cars on the market, an approach was developed, in conjunction now with corporate lawyers and particularly the American legal system in mind, which advocated putting the new ones on the rear and the advice that underteer was more desirable than oversteer.
I think the motoring public is being offered the best advice based on current thinking and research, which it also was 10/20 or 50 years ago.
Cars have changed and developed. Roads have changed and developed. And drivers expectations have changed and developed. Note nowhere have I used the word "improved".
Hence motoring advice must change and develop.
As I said elsewhere in support of (IIRC), The Reaper, the best option is four new tyres. Heck, if we were really serious, it'd be five so we weren't carrying around a tyre which might be 7 or 8 years old and past it's safe use by date.
But if it's two only, I also am with the Gonz and you. Like the Gonz, I'd put them on the front, but the final choice must lie with the car's driver, given the information on both options.
