Getting 2 New Tyres This Week

[John K]

Hi All,

I need 2 new tyres - my rears are worn out. They did OK with 43,000km on them.

I'm going for Kumho KU31.

My question is about tyre noise - I will have 2 x factory Dunlop SP3000 with about 70% left and 2 new KU31.

I think the KU31 will be quieter.

I know I should put them on the front, but would that give the best reduction in road noise?

[ZAP]

New tyres should always be put on the rears, as it is better to understeer than oversteer. Before any of you people arc up and say I am wrong, HERE is just one tyre company website that says why

As for 43,000km out of a set of rears, shame on you. You do not drive your car hard enough

[Benny]

Interesting find on the Michilen site stating to put them on the rear. I'm suprised they can seriously think that's wise. The front tyres steer, do majority of breaking and cut through heavy water before the rears to prevent aquaplaning.

I would personally put them on the front.

Benny

[dule]

They recommend to put new on the rear for the same reason manufacturers set up most cars to under steer, since it's easier to deal with. Before my last tyre change my rears were pretty bad (fronts only slightly better) and unprovoked oversteer in the wet is no fun. Will not even go in to traction issues in wet...

[Tocchi]

I think its aimed at the general "avg joe" driver... not people who enjoy oversteer

[Guest XR09]

Think greasy roundabouts & 90% panic.

[John K]

When I got up to around 25,000 I didn't think they would make it to 30,000.

I think I subconsciously backed off the loud pedal from that point

I got a little surprised by the rear end letting go very easily out of a corner this morning on wet Sydney roads (with the traction control off) - I only have 0.5mm above the wear indicators left - so the Kumhos have been put on order!

Since I do drive fairly conservatively, my concerns about front or rear fitting are mainly about minimising noise. Dunlop seem to have a special talent for making excessively noisy tyres and I suspect they get noisier as they wear down. I think the rear might be the place for the new Kumhos.