Agreed! DOT, UTQG, and NHTSA are all there to regulate a safety standard for the industry to abide by, but that does not give the dealers the right to intentionally use those guidlines to deceive the consumer in order to make an extra buck. Unfortunately tires are neccesary. I urge everyone; do your homework before purchasing tires. Michelin and Goodyear both have great information on their websites to help the consumer with their decision.
I'm done!

 

You always, always want the tires with the most grip in the back of the vehicle, RWD or FWD. Simple physics. And no, it's not to get going faster; it's to stop safely. I've done a couple of "sliding through backwards" at an intersection, back in the '70s when FWD started to appear and my father didn't know better.
Now, I agree that only 2 winter tires in the back of a FWD is pretty useless; that's why 4 are mandated (by law, from Dec 15 to March 15) around here.

Yves

 

This is a video that was put together by Michelin. I actually had a chance to perform the same tests at Goodyear's proving grounds in San Angelo TX.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/536225...wers_you_to_m/

 

The OP is buying to winter tires in the hell would he not put these on the front where he needs traction to pull in the snow?

 

This true, that is why they reccomend four snow tires. Keep in mind, these tests are run in rain not on snow. Snow tires work on the same premace as mud tires. You want them on the drive axle since the speeds are reduced more than in the rain. I dont know about your area but here people tend to drive faster in the rain. If it ever snows enough here to stick and effect road conditions, people forget how to drive.

 

I agree (or maybe I just wanted to read and see my posts in this thread ).

This is a message/discussion board - share opinions, give ideas, help each other out, and even educate, etc...
But to post something like "I'm Mr. Always Right, and mine is the only opinion that matters", well there are plenty of other boards for that BS, lets keep this one friendly.

 

Some of you folks need to learn how to distinguish between opinion and fact.

There are some bad opinions in this thread.

There are some good facts.

 

That video was pretty neat, and was exactly what the article I read said....but it was MUCH easier to understand in the video.

Chad, if someone has four new tires in the snow, great. However, if I have two bad ones and two good, even in the snow I'd rather have the bad ones on the front in a front driver. I'd rather not "go", than go and end up looping all around the streets. It is sort of like when I asked my son the most important part of a car, and he said, "the motor". I replied "Well, I think it is the brakes, because if your engine doesn't work, you don't go, but you're safe. If your brakes don't work, you can go but not stop. Ooops." With the bad tires on the front of a front driver, it regulates when you go and helps prevent you from having an accident. Actually, it's a moot point as well all need great tires all around if we are snow driving. Just my opinion, and many are much much smarter than I am.

God Bless, Marc

 

This is more just a case that proves we need tort reform.

The simple fact is 4 winter tires have always been the best thing to do. But the fact is you will not die or get stuck if you only have two tires in normal winter conditions.

It has just gotten to the point Lawyers have taken things anymore to the point it is hard to do buisness with out as a Ford Engineer told me once Idiot proofing something.

The sad part companies also are not blaimeless and did open the door to this with some bad choices in the past.

Along the way someone threw out common sense and now we have these deals we have to live with.

Untill the goverment passes tort reform we will have things like this but the problem is most of the people in the House and Senate are lawyers so the odds of it changing are very poor.

I saw where a guy crashed a Blazer into a tree and 90 MPH and burned to death. GM was taken to court and not permited to use the evidence he was very DUI. THey settled out of court for a large sum as it was cheaper than fighting.

I would shop around as I never have had this issue. Also you can buy your tires at the Tirerack. Take them off get them mounted and put them on the car yourself. You would save money this way any how.

Too bad no one take the people with the bald tires to court. They are the real issue.

 

Well, today I purchased two new Cooper snow tires for the front of my daughter's car and had the two new (this summer) summer tires installed in the rear by my local dealer. I have more rubber on the road than someone with two year old winter tires all around.

I will sleep well and know my daughter is safe, with no regrets.

PS - I posted this so I could see what my posts look like in front of all of you!