Question: If hydroplaning isn't going to be an issue (summer time in SoCal), should the new tires still go in the back??

 

Nice stories but I guess I'll continue to put my new ones on the front. Years of road course motor racing experience (including racing in the rain) has shown me that yes indeed the tires with less tread depth are more prone to aquaplaning but that it was a far greater hazard not being able to STEER, especially when you consider the dynamics of a race car (or any sports car including the RX) that has a near to 'ideal' weight distrbution. Also, worn tires are the ones typically more prone to road hazard punctures and I would sooner lose a drive tire at 80 mph than a steering one, wet OR dry.

 

If you have near "bald" tires on any part of the car you can get hydroplaning,
a lot depends on your country and a balance on how much wet weather you have....in this country all tyre retailers I have ever been to and in my 34 years of driving, the best tyres (tires) are always on the front.

If it is wet with poor front tyres...you won't stop as you should in an emercency..let alone steer.

Much will of course depends on how much tread is on the "old" tire.

I don't think America or Germany or anywhere is immune to owners who Never rotate, or tyres that wear past their use by date.
Here it is very common.

Overall still do not agree with C&D or Michelin.

 

Could not agree more..

 

How many FWD cars have "ideal" weight distribution? Or how many race cars do you see with FWD for that matter.

This thread was about where to put the 2 newer tries on a FWD daily driver, not a race car. If a member of your family who had no performance driving inclination/experience asked you where to put the tires on their Camry, what would you tell them? Safety would be the key factor in my advice. I bet there are a lot of people on this forum that couldn't even safely pilot a car during a hydroplane/blowout-induced fishtail.

I would still trust Tire Rack when giving advice to non-enthusiast friends. They are one of the world's biggest tire retailers and they even have their own onsite wet/dry racetrack that they do regular testing on. Making these kinds of tire mounting decisions truly is part of their business. And well, Michelin makes tires!

 

^ Correct, it was meant to get advice for a possible "blowout" scenario for a FWD daily driver for an 18 year old teenage women.