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Can you fit winter tyres only to the two driven wheels or should they be fitted all round?

For a 2-wheel front or 2-wheel rear drive car, do you recommend that only the driven wheels require to be fitted with winter tyres?

Asked on 24 December 2010 by TW, via email

Answered by Honest John
Absolutely not. All four wheels MUST be fitted with the same winter tyres or severe instability will result. Winter compound tyres are not just for snow. They are for temperatures below eight degrees centigrade and perform far better than summer tyres throughout the winter. If you just put a pair on the driven wheels, this would destabilise the car under heavy wet braking, or when descending a snow-covered or icy hill.
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