Our lunchtime under-the-tree session isn’t always boring. The other day, Japie said that, when a customer bought only two new tyres, we always fitted them to the rear wheels. He wondered why. Before I could reply, Hennie said that he grew up with the idea that new tyres should be in front because it imparts a lovely feel to the steering and therefore he always insists on having the new rubber in front.
I laughed and said that, for many years I tended to have the same idea, but I’ve recently changed my mind. Most cars are set up to understeer if you go too fast through a corner. This is done because most people’s natural reaction would be to brake and this would often restore some grip to the front wheels. New tyres at the front and old ones at the rear tend to promote oversteer, but old tyres at the front, as advised by tyre manufacturers, will further promote understeer. I used to think that this was important only if you normally indulged in fast cornering, but I recently read an article that claims the understeer tendency is very necessary on a wet road. Without it, you may see your car’s tail come round to surprise you.
