winter and all season tires, can they go together?

I have a question regarding tires. I have a 1998 Ford Escort and I'm from Canada so I have winter and all-season tires which I rotate through. All 4 of my "all-season" tires are worn out so they will be retired once I switch. One of my winter tires has a hole so I'm wondering if I can buy 2 brand new "all-season" tires put them in the front and save 2 of my best winter tires and put them in the back?

The reasoning behind this question is that I dont know how much more time I will get out of this car so I dont know if its economically feasible to buy 4 new all-season tires as well as 2 new winter tires.

Back to my question. Is this safe? I had a feeling that this might not be a great idea for the car, is this true? Would I be better off just getting 4 brand new all-season tires? I dont want to do anything unsafe or that will harm my car.

I would greatly appreciate your advice.
Thank you

 

It shouldn't be a problem on 2 wheel drive although it would be better to put the snow tires on the front - assuming it's front wheel drive.

Years ago my wife had a 86 oldsmobile which I put snow tires on just the front, every winter. Worked well, especially for going up our driveway when it was wet.

 

I'm sure plenty of people have done it successfully, but....., every tire maker, tire seller and article I've ever read says you should not mix the types of tires.
The reasoning is sound. By mixing the type of tires, you will have different grip and handling qualities, which could cause the car to not be controllable in some sort of emergency.

 

This is worth a look, some really good info here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P03wqClnq-0

All about winter tires from our friends up north.

 

Most tire dealers wont mix snow and all season tires, If its a front wheel drive.

 

A FWD car needs 4 snow tires. If you just put 2 tires up front you can create an exaggerated oversteer problem. Oversteer is much harder to drive out of than understeer, which is why cars from the factory generally tend to understeer (or 'push', meaning the front wheels slide)

 

very good point. The oversteer problem you speak of will also tend to cause the car to spin completely out of control much easier. That back end, once sliding in a turn, will take you completely around faster than many folks can react.

there is also a problem with braking as well. Whichever end the less tractive tire is on will also tend to lock up sooner on braking.

the tires on all 4 corners should match.