New tires only on the rear axle

Often, in an attempt to reduce expenses on buying new tires, people opt for purchasing only two new tires. However, this cannot provide the proper level of traction and even with such an update, there remains a high risk of skidding, even when driving straight. This is especially relevant for vehicles with four-wheel drive. Nevertheless, the question of which axis of the vehicle to put the tires with the least wear on remains relevant.

It is essential to note that by putting new tires on the rear axle, you gain a number of advantages, especially in terms of safety. The rear axle of the vehicle provides stability and maneuverability during turns and braking. When the rear axle has good traction with the road, it allows preventing the rear of the vehicle from skidding and provides better stability during maneuvering. This is especially important when driving on wet or slippery roads, where maintaining control over the rear axle can be critical.

Another advantage of installing new tires on the rear axle is that it helps balance the traction between the front and rear axles. If the front axle of the vehicle has worn-out or inefficient tires, installing new tires on the front axle can create an imbalance and negatively affect the vehicle's maneuverability. In this case, replacing the tires on the rear axle will help maintain the proper distribution of traction force and provide more stable behavior of the vehicle on the road.

What do manufacturers say about this?
Leading tire manufacturers, such as Continental, Bridgestone, Michelin, and Goodyear, as well as a number of automakers, recommend putting tires with less wear on the rear axle.