When only two tires of a car need to be replaced, many drivers tend to place them on the front axle, considering that the front wheels are what steer the vehicle. However, tire manufacturers and specialized workshops, such as Euromaster, recommend that new tires or tires with greater tread depth be installed on the rear axle.
The main reason is related to the stability of the car. Placing the tires with better traction at the back helps keep the vehicle stable, especially on wet roads or in unexpected situations. When the road is wet, the grooves of new tires have a greater capacity to evacuate water between the rubber and the pavement, reducing the risk of loss of traction on the rear axle.
This recommendation applies even to front-wheel drive cars, where the front tires may wear out more quickly. Michelin also recommends mounting new tires on the rear axle when only two are replaced. However, in all-wheel drive vehicles, it is important to consult the vehicle manual, as some systems impose specific limits on wear or size differences between the four tires.
In Portugal, the minimum tread depth for passenger vehicles is 1.6 millimeters, but specialists warn that you should not wait for the legal limit to replace tires. Uneven wear, cuts, cracks, or deformations are also signs that justify replacement. The ideal remains to have four equivalent tires, but replacing only two is not dangerous if the remaining ones are in safe condition.
