I needed to replace my front tires so I took my car into DT yesterday to have them replaced. I told the guy I wanted the new tires on the front, but he said their policy is to put the new tires on the rear. I told him I understand the handling characteristics and that putting the new tires on the rear is TECHNICALLY the correct location, but I told him I prefer to have the additional traction on the drive wheels rather than having better lateral stability with the new tires on the rear. He said there was nothing he could do and the tires had to go on the rear. Have we really come to the point where the tire shops are telling us what to do with our tires? I can certainly understand them refusing to do obviously dangerous things, but I can't even choose where my new pair of tires will be located on the vehicle? This big brothering garbage is getting ridiculous!
Big brothering by Discount Tires
- Thread starter grampi
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Maybe it was just that store, or that employee that was giving you a hard time. I've gone to tire stores with specific requests before and they always oblige.
At that point I walk.
Wayne
Wayne
Thank the lawyers. DT is only covering their hinds (to which I don't blame them) because if you walk out and wreck, it's your word against theirs. Everybody in this country is lawsuit happy because there is no personal responsibility for anything anymore, hence you have dumb policies like this.
thats their policy. have them installed then rotated next week.or do it yourself
My guess is that they do this not because they think they know better than you, but because they are worried about being blamed (and maybe sued) for accidents. Worn front tires will compromise the ability to turn or stop -- but if someone fails to swerve or stop, police and insurance will just blame the driver. Given that most people are colossally ignorant about cars (let alone handling dynamics), they would probably find it easier to blame someone other than the driver if the car loses grip at the rear and spins.
I'm with you, though -- I hate this policy. New tires should go on the FRONT on all but the most tail-happy RWD cars. If people are so utterly incompetent that they can't manage a bit of oversteer, the solution isn't to trade braking ability for rear grip; it's to learn to #($*&#ing drive.
I'm with you, though -- I hate this policy. New tires should go on the FRONT on all but the most tail-happy RWD cars. If people are so utterly incompetent that they can't manage a bit of oversteer, the solution isn't to trade braking ability for rear grip; it's to learn to #($*&#ing drive.
Quote:
on the rear is TECHNICALLY the correct location,
nuff said.
on the rear is TECHNICALLY the correct location,
nuff said.
+1 to all above comments.
Most FWD cars have a significant understeer margin, so, to a point, better tires up front would actually neutralize things.
Of course this can go too far... my dad had snows on the front of his 93 escort and half worn all seasons on the back. No driving ability could counter the tail happiness-- it was like getting PIT'd on the rear fender when it got loose.
Too bad you're so far from mexico-- they should set up border tire shops that break all the rules.
Most FWD cars have a significant understeer margin, so, to a point, better tires up front would actually neutralize things.
Of course this can go too far... my dad had snows on the front of his 93 escort and half worn all seasons on the back. No driving ability could counter the tail happiness-- it was like getting PIT'd on the rear fender when it got loose.
Too bad you're so far from mexico-- they should set up border tire shops that break all the rules.
Normal policy at ever tire shop i know of. I buy at Costco and that's there policy. I would go home and rotate them myself. It is all about covering there arse.
Originally Posted By: Chris142
thats their policy. have them installed then rotated next week.or do it yourself
+1
thats their policy. have them installed then rotated next week.or do it yourself
+1
People are stupid. Its not for you, its for the people with 4 bbald tires. Replace the front 2 then next time it rains they fishtail and sue you.
The ambulance chasers are salivating to sue a big chain like discount tire. They have to to cover their rears.
I suggest having the tires installed and then rotate them yourself when you get home. Yes, for most cases, having the new tires on the rear is the safest configuration, it's the one that is promulgated by every major tire manufacturer, and it's the only one that most chain tire stores will do in order to shield themselves from lawsuits. If you're comfortable with a different configuration, you'll need to do that yourself.
Ideally, you'd put four new tires on anyway (yes, I've already seen you other thread about your new tire buying strategy), and keep them rotated so that you don't get into the situation where you have two "good" tires and two "bad" tires. You can likely sell your two existing good tires and make up most of the price delta between four new tires and two new tires.
Ideally, you'd put four new tires on anyway (yes, I've already seen you other thread about your new tire buying strategy), and keep them rotated so that you don't get into the situation where you have two "good" tires and two "bad" tires. You can likely sell your two existing good tires and make up most of the price delta between four new tires and two new tires.
It isn't big brothering, I agree with them.
I personally prefer to have the better tires up front simply to have the wear on the new ones catch up and not kill the old ones off that rotation simply because I'm cheap;
But if they had everyone off the street tell them what to do they would be sued to oblivion within one year.
In Canada it is getting to be like that too, but not as bad.
LSludger, what is with all the funny comments today??? You're killing me.
BITOG needs a voting system!
I personally prefer to have the better tires up front simply to have the wear on the new ones catch up and not kill the old ones off that rotation simply because I'm cheap;
But if they had everyone off the street tell them what to do they would be sued to oblivion within one year.
In Canada it is getting to be like that too, but not as bad.
LSludger, what is with all the funny comments today??? You're killing me.
BITOG needs a voting system!
Glad they gave you the correct answer and service. New tires belong in the rear. Enough said.
Don't like it? Take your business elsewhere. There is a reason DT can offer low prices, and covering themselves legally is part of that.
Don't like it? Take your business elsewhere. There is a reason DT can offer low prices, and covering themselves legally is part of that.
Here there is no problem getting the tires installed where you want them.
If they don't want your business then others will.
If they don't want your business then others will.
This topic comes up every month in this forum, search "new tires on rear". You'll see the same "outrage" and the same explanations, the same good reasons for putting them on the rear...
Seriously, every month....
Seriously, every month....
What isn't fun is working in a garage and having to deal with an irate client because you don't want to plug and patch close to his sidewall.
They only think you want to rip them off and sell them 2 new tires.
I always said the shop up the street might agree with them, and that my "hands are tied".
They only think you want to rip them off and sell them 2 new tires.
I always said the shop up the street might agree with them, and that my "hands are tied".
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