Where to put new tires...front or rear

AlanS · Post by **AlanS** » 16 Nov 2021, 16:14

2006 XC70. I have uneven tire wear on two tires (left rear and right front). OK...needs alignment and some parts. That aside...I will be getting two new tires tomorrow. All tires will be off and balanced...then...Should I have the new tires on the front or rear? My gut says...Front...put the new ones on the front, as they wear faster... Thoughts?

chris11211 · Post by **chris11211** » 16 Nov 2021, 17:20

Is your car AWD? If it is you know you're suppose to change all of the tires.

Otherwise, everyone in the auto industry said that the good tread must be in the front. Volvo, however, in their infinite wisdom said that the better treads should be in the back.

Post by **scot850** » 16 Nov 2021, 19:02

If you have an XC70 and the AWD is working then if you want it to stay that way you have to buy 4 tires unless the 2 old ones are virtually brand new.

Neil.

Post by **jonesg** » 17 Nov 2021, 03:15

older volvos needed the tires to be swapped in sets, the newer haldex units can accommodate uneven wear, I think after 2001.

93SCMax · Post by **93SCMax** » 17 Nov 2021, 05:21

For reference, Costco Tire Centers always put a single new set on the rears, even for front wheel drive cars.

...I always assumed you put the new ones on the front since they get the most wear.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 17 Nov 2021, 06:04

The front tires carry the weight of the drive train ... better traction. The light rear end is more prone to lose traction and fish tailing. That why the better pair of tires goes on the rear.

TisMe · Post by **TisMe** » 17 Nov 2021, 18:21

And somewhat irrelevant, if you're sporting a RWD and only swapping two tires, you'll want the fresh tread on the rear.

...but I'm not certain this is relevant to any Volvos

More relevant, Volvo switched their AWD systems from a good ol' viscous coupling to the Haldex in 2002 (as jonesg pointed out). My P2 XC70 actually has the viscous, a neat little artifact of the first year of their XCs. Had great experiences with it in several inches of snow. Less intelligent of a design however so I would never mix treads between the front and rear.

Post by **erikv11** » 18 Nov 2021, 09:39

Yeah, the 06 XC70 should be able to mix tread depth without worry.

If you put the new ones on the rear you are always chasing your tail and unable to rotate the tires poprely: fronts start more worn and wear faster means they will never be suitable to move to the rear. So you will never have all four matched tread depth and more likely to get non-uniform wear on the fronts. It's a hassle for rotating, or for buying new tires as a set (which is preferred).

I'd put the ones with most tread on the front until all four wear down to the same level. Then run a four wheel tire rotation until it's time to replace the whole set.