Discount Tire

[Whaler27]

I've used Discount Tire since I was a kid. I lived close to the first DT location. I think it's fantastic that they don't stick it to people who don't know that their TPMS light is on because it has cooled outside. I went to a DT to get a flat fixed and they had a huge plate of cookies they were sharing with customers. I asked if someone from the store had made them and was told that an elderly lady came in with a tire light, they aired it up and checked all of her tires, and told her that it was no charge. She brought the cookies because she wanted to say thanks and wouldn't take without giving.

Great story. We have all gotten so used to crappy service, that when we get great service, it’s a jolt that really moves us.

When I was a kid, pretty much every gas station was attended, and the attendant would pump your gas, check your oil, and wash your windshield. Back then, air and water were free too… I was probably 18 or 20 years old before I saw the first gas station where you had to pay to air up your tires. I was surprised. Almost offended, really, and I was sure nobody would ever pay for it. Now you’re expected to pay almost everywhere. It’s amazing how our world has changed.

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[Whaler27]

Do you know if you have to take it back to them to get it retorqued at 50 or can it be done at home? Because I’ve gotten tires from them and never gone back for retorque one time I got tires and went home and took them off and did my brakes. Then reinstalled the wheels and torqued them down. Then checked them a few days later no change. I periodically retorque my wheels if I’m outside and the garage is open. Or after I’ve come back from wheeling. I’ll torque them as soon as I get home and the jeep sits until I go to work again. I don’t want to void my warranty if they need to be the ones to retorque at 50 miles. And if that’s the case I’m screwed.

I don’t know. It would be great if folks could take others at their word, but that’s also rare these days.

Where we live, 50 miles goes on a vehicle in a blink, so it’s easy to just whip back to DT for a quick retorque. It only takes them about two minutes, so that’s what I usually do.

I run studded tires in the winter, and yarding all the tires back and forth from the store is more work than it’s worth, so I swap the tires in my driveway at the beginning and end of winter. I always torque them all myself — but when I get new wheels, my first fifty miles are done in/near town in time to for them to do it.

 

[Mudduck]

In general, I love DT. good service, and price matching.

However, the location at 2649 28th ST SE, in Grand Rapids, MI is an abomination to the DT name.

I have several cars. 2020 forester 21K miles, new tires and wheels, had to go back 3 times. 1 for missing center caps, 1 for high road force (why send a passenger car out with a tire that has 35+ road force)? And then again because the tech didn't balance them right. Madness.

2022 Crosstrek 23K miles: New tires 2 weeks ago. I went back 2 times because the car was shaking. Tires weren't balance correctly. Went to the dealer the 3rd time and all tires were off by .50 to .75OZ! This is all you do, tires, wheels and a few that do alignments. How do you keep screwing this up?

21 Wrangler, Same issue.... They don't know how to balance tires here. Went to the dealer, perfect on the 1st try.

@Discount Tire is generally pretty hard to beat, but this location sucks. The manager needs replaced or retrained, as well as the techs. Will continue to use DT, but this location is absolute trash.... Recommend not going here for anything. I went here once for air in my wife's car, missing valve stem cap... Go figure.

 

[TrailMax]

That explains things! I'm always forgetting to retorque the cap of my bourbon

Every dang time I forget to torque that cap, at least half of it leaks out by morning!

 

[Sparty]

Do you know if you have to take it back to them to get it retorqued at 50 or can it be done at home? Because I’ve gotten tires from them and never gone back for retorque one time I got tires and went home and took them off and did my brakes. Then reinstalled the wheels and torqued them down. Then checked them a few days later no change. I periodically retorque my wheels if I’m outside and the garage is open. Or after I’ve come back from wheeling. I’ll torque them as soon as I get home and the jeep sits until I go to work again. I don’t want to void my warranty if they need to be the ones to retorque at 50 miles. And if that’s the case I’m screwed.

It's one of those "general rules" that everyone should know. It's especially true with aluminum rims.

I usually take the lug wrench and just make sure they're "tight". This doesn't need to be overcomplicated.

 

[UniqueUserName]

Don‘t know if this is THR right place to post this or not? But a few years ago I bought my tires at DT. They described the warranty and stuff. I usually decline warranties because honestly I won’t keep up with them. But DT offered a free 5-way rotation when I got my tires. I just had my third or fourth balance and rotation...for free…just as DT said.

We have a lot of great vendors to pick from. And based on my experience, I’d put Discount Tire at the top of the list.

I've been using DT for years and will stick with them. they regularly go above and beyond to accommodate my family and own every mistake, even when not entirely theirs. Some first hand-accounts:

About 8 years ago, I had recently had four Pirelli tires installed on a vehicle. Not long after, while my wife and adult son were driving between Texas and Colorado, they hit a piece of debris in Amarillo and destroyed one tire (no road hazard coverage). They drove on the doughnut to the nearest DT shop to buy a replacement. They had a Pirelli in the right size but not the exact model. DT did not want them to drive several hundred miles on the doughnut, so they "gave" them that new tire to drive on to get to their destination and get the matching tire. When I later went to buy the proper replacement, they offered to sell me road hazard insurance and replace the tire for less than the cost of the tire. I knew that was responsible for the tire replacement and I never would have asked for such an accommodation, but they did it of their own accord.

I took my F250 with 35" Nitto tires in to have one patched due to a nail penetration. While grinding the interior to get a good bond for the patch, the tech slipped and cut a little too deep. They replaced the tire at their cost.

Most recently, I had a metal valve cap seize on a tire stem on my Jeep. while trying to remove it I managed to spin the valve stem, which caused a leak. I took it to my DT dealer and told them I thought I was going to need a TPMS sensor. They said, no, they could fix it at no charge. The techs wrestled with it for quite a while and finally managed to destroy the TPMS sensor, so they replaced it. When I went to pay for it, they would have no part of it and refused to charge for it. I gave the techs a $20 tip each.

These three experiences span 4 different dealers in multiple states over 8 years. The service and care is always the same in my experience.

I don't even think about getting tires anywhere else, based on my history with Discount Tire stores. They're the Chick-Fil-A of tires. Exemplary care, courtesy and service, no matter what store you go to.

 

[danba]

They'll apparently match Costco's price, including free mounting.

Unfortunately they stopped being a sponsor a while back.

They do, but one needs to be careful about them trying to add some other "fees", like disposal, valves, etc. Push back politely and they'll wave them.

 

[DWR.]

Happy with them on balance, but, they are so damn picky about their “rules”. I bought high dollar Michelins for the 4R that out lasted their time limit and they refused the free repair because they were a couple months over it and I had to go elsewhere and pay. … They also insisted on unnecessarily R&R’ing the trim rings on my Jeep, but to their credit didn’t charge extra. … but I blame this one on Jeep since they give us nothing to show the tire shops it isn’t necessary.

What needed repair? Did you pick up a nail or something? What is R&Ring the trim rings mean?

 

[Daved1999]

Don‘t know if this is THR right place to post this or not? But a few years ago I bought my tires at DT. They described the warranty and stuff. I usually decline warranties because honestly I won’t keep up with them. But DT offered a free 5-way rotation when I got my tires. I just had my third or fourth balance and rotation...for free…just as DT said.

We have a lot of great vendors to pick from. And based on my experience, I’d put Discount Tire at the top of the list.

DT is pretty good in many cases. However, you have to be careful about what you buy. If the item number is different from the manufacturer then that tire was made specifically for DT and is not the same. However, I do know that Nitto from DT is actually a true Nitto. I don't know about other brands. Also, I have a mom and pop shop close by that gives better pricing on mounting/balancing. All that aside, DT gives great customer service, free flat repair, and free TPMS programming.

 

[dragoneggs]

They'll apparently match Costco's price, including free mounting.

Unfortunately they stopped being a sponsor a while back.

I didn’t realize they dropped their sponsorship here. We all ought to put in a plug for them to re up, the next time we visit DT.

I have been a DT customer for as long as I can remember. 40+ years and swear by them. I can’t remember who I dealt with on the forum here that helped me get my Icon Rebound Pros mounted a few years ago. At the time DT didn’t know how to mount tires on them. The DT forum guy, called my local store, sent them a TSB, and had them do it for no extra charge. Everybody was cool about it.

Will use them for life.

 

[Hookr26]

Discount Tire, let me count the ways. I have a bad habbit of putting new tires on my vehicles just before I trade or sell them. BAD HABBIT.

BUT, at a min of 15-20+ (yeah really) set of tires on pretty much all our vehicles over the years since they opened in California, Arizone, New Mexico, Arizona, Washington State .

Story from JUST THE OTHER DAY TELLS WHY! (Last weekend!)

About 4 months ago, We bought a "new to us" Pavment Princess" 2021 Rubicon snazzy Gladiator Diesel with 26,000 miles and 20" fancy wheels and reasonable 35" nitro tires. With the Gladiator Mopar lift kit it looked great but bounced like a bucking Bronco! So about to pull a utility trailer to Moab in September, I pulled my 65k miles driven with 66% tread still on them from my 2021 Diesel Rubicon Wrangler I just put 35" AT4W's, I stuck them on 2024 wrangler cast off new wheels into the back of the jeep and head for Discount Tire. Yep, not only did they give me (free) the slotted lugnut socket, I didn't get from the dealership with the Gladiator, they mounted the tires on the jeep for free.

The boss said, you are a Saturday walk in and I have several customers before you, maybe 1.5-2 hour wait. Did I say he walked into his shop and came back handing me the missing slotted socket and said it was mine to keep.

About 45 min later he comes out and has me pull into a bay and changes them out for me himself.

Always! Fantastic Service!
This was the Burlington, WA Discount Tire........Im SHOUTING OUT!!!
THANK YOU!

 

[dragoneggs]

More shouting out! Stopped in to Bremerton DT and wanted to schedule a 5 tire rotation and also check one valve stem that wasn't taking air very well during air up last time on the trail.

I was on the way to get my driver's license renewed and they were close so figured I would pull in. They took it in and said it will be done in an hour or so. I walked over to get my license, got it, checked the progress app that DT sent me and I had 30min to spare so popped into a brewery next door and had a pint.

5 minutes later with beer in hand, I got a text that my service was done early. Free... and they replaced the faulty valve stem. Love these guys!

 

[Sparty]

I'll add to the pile..

I've been 100% Discount Tire since 2003. Never ONCE did I have a subpar experience.

One morning in the dead of winter, I was heading into work (6:30am) my tire had a decent leak. Filled it up at a gas station and then limped into DT at 7:00am waiting for them to open. They weren't open, but the manager was there. He said come in the shop and he went out to look at the tire. 15mins later, I had a plug in it and was off to work. No charge


These guys know how to keep their customer base happy.

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