Need to replace front two tyres....

Rony

Hi,

So I had my MOT + Service done a few months ago in March and I had my rear tyres replaced as they were worn. 

They also suggested my front tyres be replaced as soon as possible as they were nearing the limit, but they didn't have anymore in stock, so I left it.

I am now wanting to replace the front two tyres, and was about to buy some online, however I read the T+C's which says that if I am replacing less than the full 4 tyres, that the back two tyres will take priority, due to oversteer/understeer mechanics.

I understand the logic, however I am not sure it applies to me though, as my back two tyres are pretty much new? Do you think they will accept this explanation, and do you think it is safe given my circumstances?

Thanks

GrumpyDil

Sorry I'm not sure what this means. You order two tyres and you tell the fitter you want the front two replaced.

Job done! 

Rony

Here is the policy:

"INSTALLATION OF LESS THAN A FULL SET OF TYRES

When a member does not replace tyres in full sets, Costco's tyre fitting policy is to position the new tyres on the rear of a vehicle. This policy is consistent with the direction given from all the major tyre manufacturers and tyre industry associations. Safe vehicle operation is the driving force behind this policy. A few vehicle manufacturers have wording in their owner's manual stating that new tyres should be fitted to the front of a vehicle. Mechanical issues are the driving force through this direction. This direction conflicts with the Industry & Costco’s safety policy of when only 2 tyres are replaced, that the new tyres must be fitted to the rear of the vehicle. The conflict here is safety versus mechanical. When replacing 2 new tyres only on the front of a vehicle, this makes the vehicle unstable and susceptible to sudden lack of stability and over steer. This creates a safety hazard not only for the passengers and driver in the vehicle but it also creates a safety hazard for others who may be harmed by an overturned or fish-tailing vehicle. A members request to sign a waiver of liability for the installation of replacement tyres only on the front axle will be denied by Costco."

https://www.goodyear.com/en-US/learn/choosing-your-tires/replacing-only-two-tires#:~:text=When tires are replaced in,be moved to the front.

I just read this article. So I can move the back two to the front, didn't even think of that!

I'll call them tomorrow to double-check this is good before ordering.

GrumpyDil

Fair enough. Then yes you would switch the existing rears to the front.

Not something that I have ever been asked/advised to do when having new tyres fitted. 

NSG666

I wonder how that works with cars that have different sized front and rear tyres?

Anyway, I've just had a pair fitted to the front of my rear wheel drive car and the rears are quite well worn. The tyre garage never even checked let alone question it. That said in your case I doubt whether they would query it unless you have driven lots of miles and worn the rears since fitted. Worse case scenario they fit new tyres and swap wheels front to back.

Having had some tyres that were absolutely terrible in the wet (I didn't believe my wife until I experienced it) I tend to look for tyres with a good wet grip rating as priority over anything else. 

The recommendation to have the best tyres on the rear is still good but we're not talking crossply and radial!

Do I think they will accept your explanation - yes
Do I think it's safe - yes unless you have some cheap crappy or worn tyres on the back and want to fit some decent ones on the front.

BOWFER

I can tell you from recent experience, the following tyre suppliers/fitters do not insist new tyres go on the back.
Kwikfit, Halfords, ATS Euromaster, Black Circles.
The only company I've seen insist they do is Costco, so I waited until i went home to rotate the wheels myself and they'll never get tyre business from me again.

Ebe_Scrooge

I've never come across any company insisting that new tyres go on the back - yes, it's generally accepted to be a good idea, but I've never had anyone refuse to do otherwise.

If Costco have it as a company policy then so be it - as long as they don't charge you any extra for swapping the existing rears to the front, then I don't see what the problem is.

BOWFER

Ebe_Scrooge said:

If Costco have it as a company policy then so be it - as long as they don't charge you any extra for swapping the existing rears to the front, then I don't see what the problem is.

Problem, for most including myself. is that if I've paid for nice new tyres I want them on the front, where they do all the work.
I don't want them on the back where all they do is keep the backside off the ground.

Robbo66

Rony said:

Here is the policy:

"INSTALLATION OF LESS THAN A FULL SET OF TYRES

When a member does not replace tyres in full sets, Costco's tyre fitting policy is to position the new tyres on the rear of a vehicle. This policy is consistent with the direction given from all the major tyre manufacturers and tyre industry associations. Safe vehicle operation is the driving force behind this policy. A few vehicle manufacturers have wording in their owner's manual stating that new tyres should be fitted to the front of a vehicle. Mechanical issues are the driving force through this direction. This direction conflicts with the Industry & Costco’s safety policy of when only 2 tyres are replaced, that the new tyres must be fitted to the rear of the vehicle. The conflict here is safety versus mechanical. When replacing 2 new tyres only on the front of a vehicle, this makes the vehicle unstable and susceptible to sudden lack of stability and over steer. This creates a safety hazard not only for the passengers and driver in the vehicle but it also creates a safety hazard for others who may be harmed by an overturned or fish-tailing vehicle. A members request to sign a waiver of liability for the installation of replacement tyres only on the front axle will be denied by Costco."

https://www.goodyear.com/en-US/learn/choosing-your-tires/replacing-only-two-tires#:~:text=When tires are replaced in,be moved to the front.

I just read this article. So I can move the back two to the front, didn't even think of that!

I'll call them tomorrow to double-check this is good before ordering.

Sorry but that is codswallop, on a front drive car the front wears out quicker so you replace those tyres, you do not have to swap with the rears. A general rule is that for every 2 x set of front tyres that need replacing you replace the rears and with rear wheel drive the opposite apply. Have done this for as long as I have been driving, 30 years or so now and have never has an issue.

Ebe_Scrooge

BOWFER said:

Ebe_Scrooge said:

If Costco have it as a company policy then so be it - as long as they don't charge you any extra for swapping the existing rears to the front, then I don't see what the problem is.

Problem, for most including myself. is that if I've paid for nice new tyres I want them on the front, where they do all the work.
I don't want them on the back where all they do is keep the backside off the ground.

Trouble is, "keeping the backside off the ground" - or actually, "keeping the backside on the ground" - is rather important.  A few years ago I had a day out at a local racetrack doing a skid-control course.  Brilliant fun !  But believe me, understeer is a doddle to control compared with oversteer.  Even with an instructor sat beside me, and a whole track to myself, oversteer was bloody frightening.  Great fun when I finally got the hang of controlling it, mind - not that I'd ever want to experience it on the M6.

Yes, it does sound counter-intuitive - surely you want the best tyres on the wheels that are doing both the driving and the steering?  But there's a very good reason that it's recommended you have the best tyres on the back.

homersimpson246

Sounds like they must sell some rubbish tyres if they aren't safe enough to be put on the front until they have proved themselves not to be defective.

The recommendation to rotate tyres went out years ago.    My advice would be go somewhere else where they know what they are doing.