Got my car inspected for an upcoming track day and found a big screw in the middle on my right front tire (yoko 100es). Got it plugged but one of the inspectors said it wouldn't be too smart to run with that tire. OK, so I bought a couple new ones. My question is, should I put the new ones up front or in back. The other two are about half gone (10K and a couple track days). Last track day they were pretty new and I noticed the fronts got fairly thrashed. My thought is the big new tread blocks get pushed around pretty hard in the corners leading to heat build up which mulches the tires faster than if they have slightly worn tread blocks. But I'm sure some of yo guys know better from experience. Need a concensus by tomorrow as they're going on the car tomorrow afternoon.
Thanks

 

On a front drive car the newest tires should go on the front. On a rear wheel drive car, the go on the back.

At least that's what I was told back in the days when tires were white and we had to chase the mastodons out of the parking lots so we could autocross.

That's the policy I've followed and it's never given me a reason to doubt it.

FWIW, I like to change tires in pairs when possible so that both tires on the front/back have about the same mileage. That's probably less critical, but I'm a picky old fart about tires.

 

There was a study done that shows that you should always put new tires on the rear for safety purposes, even on FWD cars. There was a post or 3 on it.

 

I think it depends on how you drive and how well you know how to
control the car. I would put the new tires up front, but most recommend
putting them on the back.

If it was my wife's car, i would just put the new ones on the back.

Actually, if you get the tire patched correctly it's not unsafe. Just
looses the original speed rating.

 

I'll agree and disagree.

If you are headed to the track with the car I'd put the new tires on the back end. Keeping the half tread tires up front for performance reasons.

If you are headed to the mall I'd put the new tires on the front for possible wet weather need.

 

Sigh... I feel a link to the rain spin video coming on...


Personally, I'd put the new ones in the front going to the track so I could even them out. Yes, performance would be better with the new ones in the back, and yes, it would be safer on the street with the new ones in the back. I don't care.

 

After discussing this topic with Alex@tirerack in the past.

New tires go on the back (reduced risk of hydroplaning).

For the track, your worn tires will do better on the front.

New full tread tires will tend to chunk when pressed with track use (use them on the rear).

 

"Do you want this to happen to you?!?!"
[car oversteers and spins out of control off the road...]
"so put your new tires on the BACK!!! a message from your friendly tire company"

There... you just watched the video. Anyone that has been driving for more than a month would probably be able to handle a little oversteer, at least if you've played even one racing game in your entire life. As far as for track reasons, I'd listen to Minihune. But whenever possible try to get a full set of tires. And rotate... and make an equal number of left and right turns... and floss daily... and stop and smell the flowers...

 

Just call Alex, have him send you four shaved performance tires and say "to hell with it".

 

Michelin says new tires at the rear. Yeah, and this is the link to the video

http://www.michelinman.com/care/tip6.html