Costco tyres - odd policy on installing 2 to rear only
Discussion
Have never come across this before but I'm sure you all have.
Basically my fronts need replacing. Nothing urgent but under 3mm and I figure I'll get them swapped before winter as it's the family motor. Rears have plenty of meat which is to be expected with FWD.
Anyway, looking at Costco who seem to have good deals on tyres. Weird thing is they refuse to allow fronts to be replaced on their own!
I sort of get the logic (full annoying blurb below) but do they really not just rotate the fronts to the rears gratis? I don't mind that and see the logic, but replacing just the rears directly is no use to me.
Has anyone else run into this? Seems relatively well known but odd as I'm not replacing those rears nor am I taking time out to pay £15 a corner (what it is these days) to have stuff rotated before I go to Costco so my rears are magically the worn set.
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.
Basically my fronts need replacing. Nothing urgent but under 3mm and I figure I'll get them swapped before winter as it's the family motor. Rears have plenty of meat which is to be expected with FWD.
Anyway, looking at Costco who seem to have good deals on tyres. Weird thing is they refuse to allow fronts to be replaced on their own!
I sort of get the logic (full annoying blurb below) but do they really not just rotate the fronts to the rears gratis? I don't mind that and see the logic, but replacing just the rears directly is no use to me.
Has anyone else run into this? Seems relatively well known but odd as I'm not replacing those rears nor am I taking time out to pay £15 a corner (what it is these days) to have stuff rotated before I go to Costco so my rears are magically the worn set.
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.
Is that what it looks like when someone waffles in their second language?
Hard work reading that.
I presume they'll only sell you top of the line Cup 2's and Trofeo R's then too? Because fitting ditch finders to the front when there's a pair half worn decent tyres on the back isn't going to turn your car into a fishtailing oversteering monster.
Hard work reading that.
I presume they'll only sell you top of the line Cup 2's and Trofeo R's then too? Because fitting ditch finders to the front when there's a pair half worn decent tyres on the back isn't going to turn your car into a fishtailing oversteering monster.
Sort of exactly my point. It's not a big deal but 225/45/R17 are basically £75 a corner for Goodyear Eagle F1s if you have a membership, so not bad right.
Would have rather had them than Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2s at around the same price through ATS.
Cripes, tyres crept up didn't they?
Would have rather had them than Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2s at around the same price through ATS.
Cripes, tyres crept up didn't they?
Shocking arrogance from who ever wrote that policy.
They acknowledge that some manufacturers recommend best tyres on the front for some of their vehicles, and they are willing to over rule them based on thier interpretation of generic industry guidance.
I actually couldn't believe this was real but it is absolutely there
https://www.costco.co.uk/tyre-disclaimer
They acknowledge that some manufacturers recommend best tyres on the front for some of their vehicles, and they are willing to over rule them based on thier interpretation of generic industry guidance.
I actually couldn't believe this was real but it is absolutely there
https://www.costco.co.uk/tyre-disclaimer
I've always made sure the least worn are on the rear of a fwd car. It's what the tyre manufacturers and motoring associations recommend. I thought it was common knowledge.
Costco have probably been sued at some point so now they won't sell you a pair of tyres unless they put the new ones on the back.
Costco have probably been sued at some point so now they won't sell you a pair of tyres unless they put the new ones on the back.
Silvanus said:
I've always made sure the least worn are on the rear of a fwd car. It's what the tyre manufacturers and motoring associations recommend. I thought it was common knowledge.
Costco have probably been sued at some point so now they won't sell you a pair of tyres unless they put the new ones on the back.
You think a policy where the vehicle manufacturer recommends fitting them to the front, and the driver wants them on the front and they will say no they are going on the back is a policy that will make them less likely to get sued if someone has an accident?Costco have probably been sued at some point so now they won't sell you a pair of tyres unless they put the new ones on the back.
soxboy said:
So if I need just fronts from Costco (which I do, and was looking at), then I’ve got to put the worn fronts on the rear axle, take them down there to get replaced, and then swap them back when I get home?
Deranged Rover said:
silentbrown said:
Where does it say they won't swap rears to the front for you?
I've never had a problem with fitters doing that FOC.
This. When I needed new front tyres they replaced them then swapped fronts and rears. I've never had a problem with fitters doing that FOC.
Billy_Rosewood said:
As good as Costco are, I massively avoid them for anything tyre related.
I've had the mess around by then and their policies before, just not worth the time and hassle when other deals and fitters are closer.
Just for balance, I've used them exclusively for the last 4-5 years, across 3 branches and probably 30 tyres or so. Always found them consistently cheaper for the brands I use, and never had a single problem.I've had the mess around by then and their policies before, just not worth the time and hassle when other deals and fitters are closer.
Deranged Rover said:
silentbrown said:
Where does it say they won't swap rears to the front for you?
I've never had a problem with fitters doing that FOC.
This. When I needed new front tyres they replaced them then swapped fronts and rears. I've never had a problem with fitters doing that FOC.
Fascinated to know what car manufacturer says new tyres should go on the front.
It’s literally the advice of the tyre industry, so Costco are correct.
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/364252/half-dri...
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/364252/half-dri...
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