Tires ...

A lot of people will tell you it does, but when I was in Driver's Ed, the teacher said, Always put your best tires on the rear. Why? You can't steer the rear!

Yup. America's Tire Store recommends the exact same thing. When they told me it was best to mount the new tires on back, I questioned it and that's what they said. You need the added stability in the rear to keep the car's rear from skidding out, since you can't control it as much as the front.

'bout time you showed up somewhere!~ Where the heck ya been?

Your idea makes sens if there is at least 2/32" tread depth remaining on the BF Goodrich tires. If not, then you need to replace all the tires.

Since the Cressida is a rear wheel drive car and is not known for stellar traction in the snow, you should put your best tires on the rear.

Most techs recommend 4 tires at a time because if the tires have been taken care of and rotated properly, all 4 tend to wear out at the same time.

How things have changed! But if you want to talk about politics, this is the place.

The local tire shop is recommending Goodyear Assurance ComforTreds for the van. Anyone out there have those? Consumer Reports rated the Goodyear Assurance TripleTreds number one and the ComforTred in the middle of the pack. But when you look at the details, they rated the CT higher on snow and ice and the TT higher on noise and ride. These are opposite what Goodyear markets them as, and opposite the customer reviews on tirerack.

I've been "lurking"...I don't read all of the threads here, but every once in a while I feel like I can contribute something to the discussion. I guess my personal commitment to quit feeding the you know whos has kept me from having a presence.

You have no idea how difficult it's been to not hit that send key a few times. The fruit was so ripe for the pickin' if'n you get what I mean! ;)

You might not be able to do this with the Cressida, but I am a firm believer in

testing theories. The ideal sitation would be to borrow tires and try the combination (economy snows on back and 3 Harmonies on front) on snow and ice cover empty parking lot. I suspect you will end up with four matching tires on all corners. This is what tirerack.com does to test tires. Go to their website and read up on their winter tires and testing. There will be someone who says it is safe to drive with mismatched tires, but they forget to add "if you drive slow enough".

Nice article on why new tires should go to the back of the class....

A belated thanks to all who replied. Following the links advice given I've managed to educate myself a wee bit. We're getting our first real snowfall here in Toronto this morning. I'll be heading out this morning to line up with all the other procrastinators to get some snow tires shortly.

Mark

BTW, If you're in the market for clever AutoCAD/Database add-on software:

snipped-for-privacy@caddproductivity.com wrote:

Most city dwellers have NO need of snow tires. Just more suckers making the tire companies rich.

"Sharx35" wrote in news:0rhhf.134345$yS6.42618@clgrps12:

What planet are you on?

MY world is a world where I do NOT waste money on bullshit like snow tires.

Ha! Nothing like a good disagreement to wade in to just before lunch. I think Sharx is on the same planet, just the sort who crosses against the light knowing that in principal it is against the law to run over pedestrians. Having said that, I agree most* city folk don't need snow tires, however most city folk don't know which boat their car is in until its in a ditch. In other words you're better with snows 'cause winter storms happen and they suck. Having said that*, I'm heading out later to get 4 Michelin Harmony on the (vaunted) Cressida. Here's hoping that as I swear at the slack jawed idiots on HWY 401 this winter, I'm not the one they've slowed down to gawk at.

Mark