2 New Tires Installation

I've got 4 Nokian WRG3s with enough tread depth to get me through urban snow., but not enough to get me through the smaller, twistier mountain passes where traction is a must.

So I bought 2 new tires thinking I could have them installed on the front - where us Priusers really need them - and I would not be stressed, wait a few weeks and replace the back tires, save all 4 for next Summer, because, hey, it's good enough for summer and rain, but not enough for the 285 (Colorado).

So, I took them to CostCo yesterday and specifically said "install these 2 new tires on the front, and put the old tires in the back of the car."

I went back at closing time to find they put them on the back, which upset me because I specifically asked for them to be installed on the front. The Service Manager (he didn't write my order) said "I always install new tires on the rear, or else you're going to slide all over the road" to which I argued "it's a front wheel drive, that's where all my traction comes from". "You signed for it!" he said, increasingly agitated. I checked my paperwork and there was no mention that ALL new tires (2) are installed on the rear only.

Exasperated that I was not being heard, I went to my car and the old tires were not in the back. The garage doors were still open, and so I said loud enough "where are my old tires? I asked for them!" And that Service Manager raced to their disposal bin, and while two other employees stood nearby, aghast, threw those 2 tires out of the bin rather recklessly, He was angry, just lost his composure. Those 2 grabbed plastic bags, put the tires in 'em and brought them to me. I thanked them, put them in the back and drove away, steamed.

A block away I screamed in frustration. So, what I want to know is it regulation that 2 new tires go on the back on a front wheel drive?

 

2 new tires is not an option right now.

 

What's the issue then with having them rotated to the front until I can get a second set? (In two weeks).

 

True for rear wheel drive vehicle. I *still* have good enough tread depth to make it through the urban winter and major highways, but not for deep snow. First point of contact, power, and traction is the front, which is where I need it. I got stuck 10 days ago and got out of by going in reverse uphill where the car acted like a rear-wheel drive...

 

Not an option for me to wait. I make my living by being able to get into the mountains. My first winter in this particular part of Colorado. I understand putting new tires on the rear of rear wheel drive vehicles. Shouldn't that logic apply to front wheel drive?

 

Thank you for that link. I read it. It's biased towards rear-drive vehicles. I'm not arguing, just wondering if the same holds true for front wheel drive.

 

Thank you sir.