OEM rear wheels and tires on front

[fortow]

Originally Posted by mfoster

... Everyone has talked about either 195/50 rear and 175/55 fronts or 175/55 all the way around. I can't believe I'm the only one with this problem.

Not at all - not everyone has talked about those options. Many of us have done differently and posted about it. For example my car has 195/50-15 on all fours. There is no issue with the stability control.

On the other hand, there is only 3/10 of an inch circumference difference between the 195/50 and 175/55 size tires - and only 1/10 of an inch in diameter. That should not cause any problems.

The difference in circumference between the OEM fronts and OEM rears is 8/10 of an inch and the diameter difference is 3/10 inch. That is greater than the differences of the tires you replaced them with. Something does not make sense here.

By the way, you should not be installing snows only on the drive wheels. Perhaps that is having some effect. It's important to install 4 snow tires. The following reference is one of many that will explain why. Winter Tech - Winter Tire FAQs

[mfoster]

I'll go get two additional snows. I hope it helps. It's funny though, putting my original OEM front tires back on eliminates the problem.

[bob/cathy]

O/K,we put on ,195/50 snows on.Left the fronts on.Now it seems like the back likes to sway more than befor.We are at 7000 ft.,very windy ,but don't remember our 68 VW being like this. Went from Monticello to Dove Creek this A/M.All over,than dropped the tire psi to 35 lb.Felt better,but when I got back to 7,000,raised it to 38.Snow tonight and rest of the week,so is it better to go low psi ,and does the bigger tire make it that way or ???????????????????

[donnyonee]

where are you getting your 195 50 15s from? (to match front 175 brand)
tire rack is backordered for the contis.

[fortow]

Originally Posted by bob/cathy

O/K,we put on ,195/50 snows on.Left the fronts on.Now it seems like the back likes to sway more than befor.We are at 7000 ft.,very windy ,but don't remember our 68 VW being like this. Went from Monticello to Dove Creek this A/M.All over,than dropped the tire psi to 35 lb.Felt better,but when I got back to 7,000,raised it to 38.Snow tonight and rest of the week,so is it better to go low psi ,and does the bigger tire make it that way or ???????????????????

Do I understand you to say that you left the OEM fronts on and installed 195/50 rears snows?

That wasn't such a good idea if that is the case. You need to install 4 snow tires, not two. Also, the snow tires should be no wider and better yet, narrower, than the original tires - and that is particularly true if you are leaving the original width tires on the front. You don't get more/better traction from snow tires by making them wider - exactly the opposite is the case.

That may also be the reason for your handling problems.

[Gilbert's]

Originally Posted by bob/cathy

O/K,we put on ,195/50 snows on.Left the fronts on.Now it seems like the back likes to sway more than befor.We are at 7000 ft.,very windy ,but don't remember our 68 VW being like this. Went from Monticello to Dove Creek this A/M.All over,than dropped the tire psi to 35 lb.Felt better,but when I got back to 7,000,raised it to 38.Snow tonight and rest of the week,so is it better to go low psi ,and does the bigger tire make it that way or ???????????????????

Can you please take some pics i like to install 195/50 tire in factory rims at the back how it look like..