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- Aug 26, 2008
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I'll preface this by saying yes I know the reasons for correct tire placement.
Went to look into get a set of 2 tires for the wifes VW Beetle. The back tires are pretty bald (at wear bars) and the front tires are still at about 85%+ of tread left.
So putting those tires on the back axle wouldn't create any issues, they are still quite 'new' at about a year old.
While I know the 'myth' about front tires/back tires...... With the large amount of snow we get, I've always put the new tires on the drive axle to avoid getting stuck. Plus with all the serviceable tread left? Shouldn't be any issue with hydroplaning or other such skidding out. Now if the tires where in really worn out shape, I would consider getting all 4 at the same time.
*Case in point with front wheel drive and snow* Neighbor had a front wheel drive caddie. A lot of weight on the front end and new tires on the rear. Front tires about 1/2 worn.. Zero workable traction and this thing got stuck almost daily in the parking lot. I'll admit to being old school when it comes to where to put the new tires.
However when I mentioned to the guy "We'll be putting them on the rear wheels that are at the wear bars....and moving the front tires to the rear". (As both fronts and backs would have almost equal tread wear.)
The clerk stated they wouldn't do it and proceeded to start to argue with me. When I pointed out "The current front tires have more then 85%+ of the tread of the new tire, so that shouldn't be much of an issue for hydro planeing" He stated they will ONLY mount the new tires on the rear axle!
I mentioned that I can see a hydroplane issue if the tires on the front where severely worn down, but they are still fairly 'new' and pretty deep tread!
He then got rather huffy with me (and I'll admit, start arguing with me as a customer and I'll get extremely pi&&ed off. As a retail manager myself for over 20 years? One NEVER starts to argue with a customer.) The correct answer should have been "Well, that's where we would like to install the new tires. But if you want them on the fronts? We can do that as well." To my understanding it's NOT a WalMart policy to only install the tires on the rear axle. They can suggest or urge, but the customer has the final say.
The next part really was a head slapper. He asked again what the car is. They use a "H" rated performance tire. No big deal, just about every 205/55/16 is either "T" or "H" rated. We have a set of "T" rated on the front currently, as it had more "Biting" tread for snow and such. "H" rated in our area are great in summer, but blow chunks in the winter time. He tells me "The only tire we carry in that rating you won't like in the snow. It's not made for cold weather". So he suggests to look in the catalog to see what other tires could be used.
I glance over to the wife, and she's talking to another guy about the tire issue. At this point the tire monkey decides to flat out ignore me and ring out a few customers...and continues to not even bother opening the catalog.
Again, I get (so don't bother going over the physics) why to use new tires on the rear to prevent spin outs. But it's my choice to where the tires get mounted. The tire is only one part of preventing an accident. Driver ability has a great deal more to do with preventing an accident, and if the tread depth is all about the same? It won't have much-if any effect.
There ends my rant.... I'll look into other tire dealers tomorrow.. Or see if I can talk with a different clerk later in the week.
S-
Went to look into get a set of 2 tires for the wifes VW Beetle. The back tires are pretty bald (at wear bars) and the front tires are still at about 85%+ of tread left.
So putting those tires on the back axle wouldn't create any issues, they are still quite 'new' at about a year old.
While I know the 'myth' about front tires/back tires...... With the large amount of snow we get, I've always put the new tires on the drive axle to avoid getting stuck. Plus with all the serviceable tread left? Shouldn't be any issue with hydroplaning or other such skidding out. Now if the tires where in really worn out shape, I would consider getting all 4 at the same time.
*Case in point with front wheel drive and snow* Neighbor had a front wheel drive caddie. A lot of weight on the front end and new tires on the rear. Front tires about 1/2 worn.. Zero workable traction and this thing got stuck almost daily in the parking lot. I'll admit to being old school when it comes to where to put the new tires.
However when I mentioned to the guy "We'll be putting them on the rear wheels that are at the wear bars....and moving the front tires to the rear". (As both fronts and backs would have almost equal tread wear.)
The clerk stated they wouldn't do it and proceeded to start to argue with me. When I pointed out "The current front tires have more then 85%+ of the tread of the new tire, so that shouldn't be much of an issue for hydro planeing" He stated they will ONLY mount the new tires on the rear axle!
I mentioned that I can see a hydroplane issue if the tires on the front where severely worn down, but they are still fairly 'new' and pretty deep tread!
He then got rather huffy with me (and I'll admit, start arguing with me as a customer and I'll get extremely pi&&ed off. As a retail manager myself for over 20 years? One NEVER starts to argue with a customer.) The correct answer should have been "Well, that's where we would like to install the new tires. But if you want them on the fronts? We can do that as well." To my understanding it's NOT a WalMart policy to only install the tires on the rear axle. They can suggest or urge, but the customer has the final say.
The next part really was a head slapper. He asked again what the car is. They use a "H" rated performance tire. No big deal, just about every 205/55/16 is either "T" or "H" rated. We have a set of "T" rated on the front currently, as it had more "Biting" tread for snow and such. "H" rated in our area are great in summer, but blow chunks in the winter time. He tells me "The only tire we carry in that rating you won't like in the snow. It's not made for cold weather". So he suggests to look in the catalog to see what other tires could be used.
I glance over to the wife, and she's talking to another guy about the tire issue. At this point the tire monkey decides to flat out ignore me and ring out a few customers...and continues to not even bother opening the catalog.
Again, I get (so don't bother going over the physics) why to use new tires on the rear to prevent spin outs. But it's my choice to where the tires get mounted. The tire is only one part of preventing an accident. Driver ability has a great deal more to do with preventing an accident, and if the tread depth is all about the same? It won't have much-if any effect.
There ends my rant.... I'll look into other tire dealers tomorrow.. Or see if I can talk with a different clerk later in the week.
S-
from me!
