Tire Rack Tire Test - Winter Tires: Mixed vs. Matched Tires

http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=HP5&url=/index.jsp
While it was a common practice to install a pair of winter tires on the rear axle of a rear-wheel drive vehicle decades ago, the advances in winter tire technology and traction that have occurred since then have made that practice unacceptable. Watch as we learn what happens on our snowy test track when driving with only two winter tires installed vs. four.

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[locke6984]

It's called understeer. not being able to grip the front of the car to the road does this. You can't just drive with the rear wheels, you have to use all four.

[rtsoccerplayer]

compare the angle of the wheel of the black car to the angle of the wheel of the red car, its the same. its just that near the exit of the turn, the driver turned the wheel to the max cause the understeer was that bad

[spangleandmarmite]

Surely you'd put them on the front; if you only have two winter tyres. Especially if you have stability control.

[EliotQuebec]

do no buy bmw ,nissan or mitsubishi 4wd

[bythedog]

"All Season" indeed! The driver makes the difference!

[deezomaxima]

If u over or understeer during driving in snow, throw the car into neutral.

[moondog203]

1:04 was the car stuck? I've seen winter tires do better than that.

[Milehighsnake98]

@Technoboy1000 In a rear wheel drive car, I'd rather have throttle oversteer than LIFT throttle oversteer. Throttle oversteer is much more controllable. With snows on the rear, I can combat understeer with throttle oversteer. How do you combat lift throttle oversteer in a RWD car? Add throttle just increases oversteer.

[Milehighsnake98]

A person shouldn't be driving if they don't know how to counter understeer, especially in a RWD car. I practice the utmost in car control, which means I take every turn sideways that I can safely (IE no traffic), because it gives me a better sense of the traction available, and I know how to counter it. Plus, I can keep more momentum when you don't have to slow down as much to fight understeer.

[kristjano123]

what if you put all season tyres to back and winter tires to front :D

[marky2112]

Nice try, tire company.

[320bit]

You guys have to ask yourselves. What good would it be to have grip in the front wheels if the drive wheels cant grip so you wont even move at all? Best just to get a set of 4 winter tyres anyway.