Two new tires: front or rear?
If you are replacing only two tires, fit the new ones on the rear axle, even on front-wheel-drive cars. Manufacturers such as Michelin recommend this because rear tires with shallower tread slide more easily in the wet, and a sliding rear is much harder for the driver to control than a sliding front.
Why the new tires go on the rear
On a wet road a tire with deeper tread clears water better. If the more worn tires are at the rear, the back of the car can lose grip first in a bend and the car can spin. That is much harder to control than the front running wide in a bend. This is why tire manufacturers, Michelin among them, recommend fitting new tires on the rear axle, whether the car is front- or rear-wheel drive.
When it is better to replace all four
- on all-wheel-drive vehicles, where the manufacturer often requires all tires to have similar tread;
- when the other two tires are old or close to the wear limit, see How many years tires last;
- when you fit winter tires: the law requires winter tires on all wheels, see Winter equipment in North Macedonia.
The same tires on the same axle
Both tires on an axle should be the same size, the same model and similarly worn. If you do not know your size, see How to read a tire size.
Fitting and balancing two 16-inch tires costs 700 MKD, see all prices.
Frequently asked questions
Does the rule apply to front-wheel drive too?
Yes. Even with front-wheel drive, new tires are recommended at the rear, because the rear slides more easily in the wet on more worn tires.
Can an axle have two different tires?
It is not recommended. Both tires on an axle should be the same size and model, with similar tread.
More guides
- Winter equipment in North Macedonia: when it is mandatory and what the law requires - In North Macedonia winter equipment is mandatory from 15 November to 15 March. Passenger cars up to 3.5 tonnes need winter tires on all four wheels with at least 4 mm of tread, or summer tires with at least 4 mm of tread plus chains for the drive wheels. The fine is the denar equivalent of 45 euros. This season it starts on 15 November 2026.
- All-season or winter tires: which should you choose? - All-season tires marked M+S or with the mountain snowflake count as winter equipment in North Macedonia, as long as the tread is at least 4 mm. They are a good choice for city driving and mild winters without changing tires twice a year. For mountain roads and frequent snow, true winter tires grip better.
- How much does a tire change cost in Skopje? - At Ceres, fitting and removing one 15 or 16-inch tire costs 150 MKD and balancing 200 MKD, 1,400 MKD in total for four tires. For 13 and 14-inch tires the four cost 1,000 MKD, for 17 and 18-inch 1,800 MKD. Prices are per tire, from the October 2026 price list.
- M+S or 3PMSF: winter tire markings explained - M+S (mud and snow) means the tread is designed for mud and snow, but no test is required for the marking. A tire only gets the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) if it passes a standard snow test. In North Macedonia both markings count as winter tires.