Tires: Where should two new tires be placed on a front wheel drive car?, wheel drive car, dear sirs

Question
Dear Sirs,
   My son recently bought two new tires for his front wheel drive car and the installers put them on the rear and moved the used slightly worn tires on the front.  Is this best or should they have put the new ones on the front?

Answer
Vic,

The best tires should go on the rear regardless of whether the vehicle is FWD or RWD.  That's because if the rear tires tires lose traction first, the rear spins around and the car is facing the wrong direction when the car slows down and the traction returns.  When the front loses traction first, when the car slows down and traction returns, the car is pointed in the right direction.