Car tire ?

[Jim Becker]

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I also recall a Consumer Reports article about Costco selling older tires, but I don't think that's the case these days.

That's bunk. They only carry the latest versions of what they sell from Michelin, Bridgestone, BFG and a few Firestone. I mostly buy Michelin but had good experience with the BFG Advantage T/A Sport on my last vehicle, too.

[Michael Schuch]

If it is a front wheel drive car put the new tires on the front, they will wear quicker on the front.

I don't think you need to replace all 4 tires but I wouldn't fault you if you did (or didn't).

I always buy tires with high mileage ratings. I have studs for winter driving so the winter traction of my summer tires isn't relevant.

The best tires I have ever owned are Toyo M55's on my 3500 Duramax. They were recommended by a friend who is a fleet manager for a local logging company. I actually own 2 sets of the M55's. They are identical except one set has studs the other set doesn't.

[Bill Howatt]

If it is a front wheel drive car put the new tires on the front, they will wear quicker on the front.

...

You will find the experts tell you for safety/controllability that new tires should go on the back. Not only on FWD cars but any.
When my dad had his garage back in the late 50s, we sold tires and the conventional wisdom back then was to put new ones on the front. This was based on the reducing the chance of a old-tire blow-out affecting steering. Compared to then and what I see now, is that tires have vastly improved and blow-outs and tires with broken casings from rock-like damage are much, much rarer. Also, drivers these days, appear to be much more aware of using worn tires because of issues such as hydroplaning.

[Pat Germain]

That's bunk. They only carry the latest versions of what they sell from Michelin, Bridgestone, BFG and a few Firestone. I mostly buy Michelin but had good experience with the BFG Advantage T/A Sport on my last vehicle, too.

It wasn't bunk. It was a long time ago, but Consumer Reports was simply reporting what customers at Costco had experienced. I as understand it, Costco's current policy is to sell tires up to two years old. That doesn't mean we will always get old tires at Costco, but I would not be happy getting 2 year old tires at a new price. Costco moves a lot of tires, so I would expect they are typically pretty fresh.

[Bill Howatt]

This is a problem across the board, you need to determine what the vendor's stock retention policy is or if they even have one, i.e. they sell anything regardless of age, or check the codes on the tires if you can.

[Jim Becker]

It wasn't bunk. It was a long time ago, but Consumer Reports was simply reporting what customers at Costco had experienced. I as understand it, Costco's current policy is to sell tires up to two years old. That doesn't mean we will always get old tires at Costco, but I would not be happy getting 2 year old tires at a new price. Costco moves a lot of tires, so I would expect they are typically pretty fresh.

Yes, maybe long ago. I apologize for not putting it that way. With the volume that Costco does in tires (because of their pricing combined with free installations, free balancing/rotation for life and free five years road hazard) along with carrying a pretty succinct selection of tires from Michelin, BFG, Bridgestone and now Firestone, rather than full lines, I suspect most folks are getting nearly new stock. You can do a walk in and if you are lucky, they might have something there, but in many cases, one orders the tires online and then schedules for installation when they arrive at the store. That's pretty much the same way most tire purveyors are these days. Some shops get same day delivery within an hour or three from a regional distributor. Some are in the TireRack network (which is part of Discount Tire) so installation is after the tires arrive. The whole distribution thing is "yuge" these days and there is great variability on sizing across vehicles, making 'keeping in-house stock' not the best thing.

[Jason Roehl]

You will find the experts tell you for safety/controllability that new tires should go on the back. Not only on FWD cars but any.
When my dad had his garage back in the late 50s, we sold tires and the conventional wisdom back then was to put new ones on the front. This was based on the reducing the chance of a old-tire blow-out affecting steering. Compared to then and what I see now, is that tires have vastly improved and blow-outs and tires with broken casings from rock-like damage are much, much rarer. Also, drivers these days, appear to be much more aware of using worn tires because of issues such as hydroplaning.

In a front wheel drive car (I’ve had several over the years), I’ll take oversteer from worn back tires over understeer from worn front tires any day of the week. With slicks on front drive tires, you can’t change direction very well—you turn the wheel, hit the gas, and nothing happens, you just keep going the direction you were. No thanks. Oversteer is easily corrected by turning into the rotation and applying some throttle.

[Bill Howatt]

In a front wheel drive car (I’ve had several over the years), I’ll take oversteer from worn back tires over understeer from worn front tires any day of the week. With slicks on front drive tires, you can’t change direction very well—you turn the wheel, hit the gas, and nothing happens, you just keep going the direction you were. No thanks. Oversteer is easily corrected by turning into the rotation and applying some throttle.

I'm just posting what numerous tire experts say. OTOH, while you may be knowledgeable driver, the vast majority of people encountering oversteer from the back end coming around will take their foot off the gas, not apply more as they should.

[Doug Garson]

Oversteer is easily corrected by turning into the rotation and applying some throttle.

Except for those of us who grew up driving rear wheel drive cars, then the automatic response is to back off the throttle. I almost put a rented minivan in the ditch on a straight icy road until one of my passengers yelled "it's front wheel drive punch it!", I did and it straightened right out. Your advice is right on for front wheel drive vehicles but with the mix of front wheel drive, all wheel drive and rear wheel drive vehicles and different driving experience (and not always knowing what drivetrain a rented or borrowed car is) it can get hairy out there.
I too was surprised the experts recommend the newer tires on the rear, my gut instinct response would be the same as yours.

[Bill George]

It's the only part of your car that touches the road - every bit of braking and cornering comes from your tires.

They are wear items, meant to be replaced. You are going to replace them eventually, unless you sell the car.

Saving a couple of bucks now could cost you down the road.

I'd replace all 4 and rest easier at night.

Ditto, we do a lot of road miles from time to time your life depends on those tires. If you never leave town and don't mind low traction in snow or ice leave the old tires on. The last new tires (all Four) I put on my Toyota Tacoma pickup were from Discount Tire and Cooper brand and with a readable date code and Made in USA label.

[Jason Roehl]

I'm just posting what numerous tire experts say. OTOH, while you may be knowledgeable driver, the vast majority of people encountering oversteer from the back end coming around will take their foot off the gas, not apply more as they should.

That's only half the equation, though. Front wheel drive with good tires on back and worn tires on front mean it will quickly understeer under hard braking, and even if you have ABS, at that point, you're probably not changing direction, even if you know to get off the brakes and give it some gas. You'll be sliding with the wheels turned to one side.