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Replacing Tires? Four Is Better Than Two, Goodyear Says

29 September 1999

Replacing Tires? Four Is Better Than Two, Goodyear Says

    AKRON, Ohio, Sept. 29 -- Motorists could save money this
season by buying two winter tires rather than four, but the results could be
more costly at the body shop.
    According to marketers from The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, driving on
just two new winter tires could be nerve-wracking, particularly in an
emergency maneuver.  Company officials recommend that if winter tires are
used, they should be fitted to four positions.
    If winter tires are installed on the front, they also must be fitted on
the rear, said Bob Toth, marketing manager for Goodyear auto tires.  The use
of studded winter tires also must include all four wheel positions.
    "To optimize handling, stability and traction, four is definitely better
than two," Toth said.  "Winter tire tread designs, regardless of construction,
produce different handling characteristics than all-season tread patterns.
Those differences can affect the handling and traction of the vehicle."
    Winter tire buyers often purchase only two tires and install them on the
drive-wheel position to get the most traction; however, on a front-wheel-drive
vehicle, they transfer most of their traction capabilities from the rear to
the front and make the vehicle susceptible to oversteer, Toth said.
    In such cases, the vehicle's rear could fishtail and swing out in fast
cornering or emergency maneuvers, he added.
    The only thing worse than depending on two winter tires is relying on four
all-season tires when the snow flies.  Leading manufacturers like
DaimlerChrysler, BMW, Honda and Toyota recommend that four winter tires be
used for winter driving.
    "Tires play the single largest role in determining how your vehicle will
handle in an emergency situation," Toth said.  "It doesn't matter how many
electronic systems you have on your vehicle, such as traction control and
anti-lock braking, if you only depend on all-season tires in the snow and
ice."
    Goodyear is introducing a new line of Ultra Grip winter tires this season
for the family car, performance cars and SUVs and pickup trucks.