Before diving into the answer directly, let’s start with a basic understanding of  Front-wheel drive and Rear-wheel drive. 

In front-wheel drive, the power is transmitted to the front wheels, and the rear wheels roll along. Whereas in rear-wheel drive, the power is transmitted to the rear wheels, while the front wheels only steer and roll.

The Front pair tyres wear out first in comparison to rear wear tyres if tyre rotation is not done properly. This is due to the below factors-

1. Steering Forces

As we all know, the front tyres are responsible for turning the vehicle in any direction, so all the steer forces act on the front side of the vehicle, whereas rear tyres follow the path. 

2. Engine Load 

Engine load is always on the front axle in all front-mounted engine vehicles apart from vehicles like Tata Nano.

3. Traction

Front tyres generate more traction in front-wheel drive vehicles, whereas the rear tyres are free rolling, and hence it causes uneven wear out. Rear-wheel drive vehicles generate traction from the rear wheels, and front tyres are free rolling.

4. Braking Forces

When we apply the brakes, more force is transferred to the front tyres as the car's weight gets transferred to the front. This results in more friction and hence faster wear-out of the front tyres.

5. Alignment  

Alignment-related issues affect front tyres more than rear tyres due to steering geometry.

In rear-wheel drive vehicles and SUVs, the difference between front and rear wear is not so prominent if compared to front-wheel drive cars. In front-wheel drive cars, the front tyres wear out up to two times faster than the rear tyres. 

It is important to understand that the type of wear also varies between the front and rear wheels due to different forces acting in different positions. Any irregular wear results in pulling and discomfort in driving and handling the vehicle. So, it is better to rotate the tyre not just for even wear but for better ride and handling qualities. Follow the proper rotation pattern recommended by OEMs for even wearing out of tyres and optimum utilization.

Equal and even wear will result in changing all four car tyres at the same time, increasing tyre life and a smoother car ride. Remember, with proper rotation and timely alignment as recommended by OEMs and tyre manufacturers, you can equalize the tyre wear and eventually expect uniform tyre wear. It will help in getting the optimum life from the tyre and a chance to change the complete set in one go. 

We hope the preceding article has answered your questions about which pair of car tyres wear out first. The above guide also explains how there are different types of drivetrains and the factors that determine the wearing out of tyres.

To know more, contact the Bridgestone India dealership near you or talk to the customer care team on toll-free no. (1800-266-8055) to help you figure out the best tyres in India for your car and evaluate them accordingly.