I have read numerous threads on this forum about what kind of winter tire and rim combination many of you have used, but I can't find any reference as to who is using them on all 4 wheels or just the fronts. I know they recommend all 4, but am curious if anyone is running snows on the front and OEM on the rear. I did several searches but haven't found any info.
2 or 4 snow tires?
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It would be very dangerous to use winter tires in the front only.
The car will oversteer very easily, causing the rear end to slide sideways.
It's much safer to understeer and crash with your front bumper then oversteer and hit a pole sideways with your door.
Always use 4 winter tires.
If the only option was 2 winter tires it would be safer to put them in the rear so they can at least help you stop and keep you straight.
In the olden days winter tires were just aggressive mud tires. Now they use very speciallized compounds that stick to ice and cold pavement so there is a huge difference in grip between winter tires and "all season" tires.
The car will oversteer very easily, causing the rear end to slide sideways.
It's much safer to understeer and crash with your front bumper then oversteer and hit a pole sideways with your door.
Always use 4 winter tires.
If the only option was 2 winter tires it would be safer to put them in the rear so they can at least help you stop and keep you straight.
In the olden days winter tires were just aggressive mud tires. Now they use very speciallized compounds that stick to ice and cold pavement so there is a huge difference in grip between winter tires and "all season" tires.
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I expect you're aware of the "sport" of "drifting" which involves setting up your suspension for massive oversteer.
An alternative approach, used by broke high school kids, is to put a couple of cafeteria trays under your back wheels (front wheel drive car only!). Fun in the parking lot until the principal finds out...
An alternative approach, used by broke high school kids, is to put a couple of cafeteria trays under your back wheels (front wheel drive car only!). Fun in the parking lot until the principal finds out...
I am mostly interested in improving starting/stopping traction in snow and ice. I've owned 4 other Honda's, (2 accords, civic, and CRX), and Insight is the worst in snow/ice with OEM tires. I realize 4 snow tires would be much better than 2, but was thinking of saving a few$$. With just 2 snow tires on the rear, I wouldn't think stopping would improve much as the vast majority of stopping power comes from the front tires, in addition obviously to being the drive wheels. I'll probably end up buying 4 or might just leave the Insight home in bad weather and drive 16 mpg 
4runner.)
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