Buying tires at Costco

[pedro47]

They told me to get them rotated at 7500 miles. Does anyone actually go back after 30 mile to get the retorqued? I didn't.

Yes, I actually go back after 30 miles to have my tires retorqued.

 

[Superchief]

We get Costco tires, but don’t bother to go back to get them rotated. Just do that when you get oil changed or every other oil change. A lot of places like Midas jiffy lube etc include rotating tires for nominal charge. It’s easier and a time saver to just do it then.

The nice thing about Costco is that tire balancing is included. That can get expensive, although we usually only balance them once per year.

 

[Luanne]

The nice thing about Costco is that tire balancing is included. That can get expensive, although we usually only balance them once per year.

I haven't bought tires at Costco since they aren't really convenient. I have bought at Discount Tire, who also included balancing for free as part of their service. I never bothered to get my tires balanced or rotated as I would swap out for winter tires half way through the year.

 

[dioxide45]

I haven't bought tires at Costco since they aren't really convenient. I have bought at Discount Tire, who also included balancing for free as part of their service. I never bothered to get my tires balanced or rotated as I would swap out for winter tires half way through the year.

I beleive most of the nationwide tire places offer free lifetime balance and rotation when you purchase a full set. We have bought at Goodyear Tire Centers in the past and this was customary. It ensures you come back there for your oil change where they can do a 21 point inspection and sell more services. And when the tires wear out, you will be back to buy more.

 

[Passepartout]

Not only was/is rotation included, but they set up the electronic tire pressure sensors as well while the new tires were being installed. And yes, re-torqueing the lugnuts is a safety issue, and should be done after a couple of dozen miles. after installation of new tires.

 

[DaveNV]

If by some chance the lug nuts are not tight and work their way loose causing a wheel to come off while you are driving, you personally will be held at fault, not the tire installer. There have been many cases, especially in areas where folks get summer/winter tires changed twice a year, of tires coming off and killing people. You wouldn't believe how fast and how far a car tire can go when it comes off a car travelling at 60mph on a highway. Big truck tires go even further!


~Diane

I saw that happen on the freeway in Seattle, southbound, just past the University of Washington. We were passed by a small car going way too fast, and next thing, the passenger-side front tire came off the car and it went down the road way faster than the car was going. It diagonally crossed a few lanes of traffic, bounced against the guard rail, and went over the edge, down into Lake Union. Somehow, the car managed to get to the shoulder of the freeway and stopped without crashing. Pretty surprising.

Dave

 

[Superchief]

If by some chance the lug nuts are not tight and work their way loose causing a wheel to come off while you are driving, you personally will be held at fault, not the tire installer. There have been many cases, especially in areas where folks get summer/winter tires changed twice a year, of tires coming off and killing people. You wouldn't believe how fast and how far a car tire can go when it comes off a car travelling at 60mph on a highway. Big truck tires go even further!


~Diane

Costco is the only place to ever ask me to return to have the lug nuts retorqued. I've bought tires at other places and also have them rotated every 8k miles, but nobody else ever asked me to return. My recent visit was the first time even Costco asked. I thought it might be due to not having full mechanics on duty.

 

[PigsDad]

They told me to get them rotated at 7500 miles. Does anyone actually go back after 30 mile to get the retorqued? I didn't.

I have summer/winter wheels for my vehicle, so I just bought a decent torque wrench and do it myself. Much less hassle and I know it is done correctly.

Kurt

 

[wackymother]

I have summer/winter wheels for my vehicle, so I just bought a decent torque wrench and do it myself. Much less hassle and I know it is done correctly.

Kur

Yeah. That's not us. When it comes to car maintenance, we're the exact diametric opposite of knowing it is done correctly.

 

[HitchHiker71]

Yes, I actually go back after 30 miles to have my tires retorqued.

I do it myself at home - I'm a shade tree mechanic and it's really easy to do with a proper torque wrench.

 

[HitchHiker71]

We get Costco tires, but don’t bother to go back to get them rotated. Just do that when you get oil changed or every other oil change. A lot of places like Midas jiffy lube etc include rotating tires for nominal charge. It’s easier and a time saver to just do it then.

Word to the wise - most oil change places like Jiffy Lube that don't have lifts - cannot handle tire rotation on a full size truck like I drive (full size 1500 series pickup). This would include larger SUVs as well (Tahoe, Suburban, etc.). This is why I take advantage of the free rotations at Costco - they have the proper equipment to handle full size trucks.

 

[wackymother]

I have another question for everyone. Last week we hit a pothole HARD. The car drives okay now and everything seems okay, but it was so hard that I still remember the hit.

When they go to install the new tires, will they be able to see if there's any damage around that wheel?

 

[PigsDad]

Yeah. That's not us. When it comes to car maintenance, we're the exact diametric opposite of knowing it is done correctly.

Understand, but with a torque wrench (which can be bought for $25), it is really as simple as tightening any other bolt -- no special mechanical or car maintenance knowledge needed. Putting together an Ikea bench would be orders of magnitude harder. Sure, not for everyone, but I'd bet 90+% of the population could do it without a problem.

Kurt

 

[PigsDad]

I have another question for everyone. Last week we hit a pothole HARD. The car drives okay now and everything seems okay, but it was so hard that I still remember the hit.

When they go to install the new tires, will they be able to see if there's any damage around that wheel?

A tire place would be able to check for tire damage, but you might want to have a mechanic look for issues w/ the suspension, such as a bent tie rod, shock absorber / strut damage, etc. It may have thrown off the alignment, so it would be good to get that checked as well (which you may not notice driving but can cause increased tire wear).

Kurt

 

[HitchHiker71]

Understand, but with a torque wrench (which can be bought for $25), it is really as simple as tightening any other bolt -- no special mechanical or car maintenance knowledge needed. Putting together an Ikea bench would be orders of magnitude harder. Sure, not for everyone, but I'd bet 90+% of the population could do it without a problem.

Kurt

Agreed - really easy to do. Step one, go buy torque wrench. Step two, determine ft-lbs of torque for your wheel lug nuts (one Google search away). Step three, set torque wrench to required ft-lbs. Step four, check all lug nuts - if/when you hear the "click" from the torque wrench - you have ensured each lug nut has been set to the required torque. There are many Youtube videos that show anyone how to do this as well. I actually take it one step further - I untorque each lug nut and retorque each lug nut. I have often found (even at Costco) that they over-torque the lug nuts well beyond manufacturer recommendation.

 

[bogey21]

Never been in a Costco and never felt the desire to do so. I've only bought from Amazon maybe twice in my life. Must be something wrong with me...

George

 

[wackymother]

A tire place would be able to check for tire damage, but you might want to have a mechanic look for issues w/ the suspension, such as a bent tie rod, shock absorber / strut damage, etc. It may have thrown off the alignment, so it would be good to get that checked as well (which you may not notice driving but can cause increased tire wear).

Kurt

Thank you! We have a couple of things to ask the new mechanics about, will add this to the list.

 

[moonstone]

Costco is the only place to ever ask me to return to have the lug nuts retorqued. I've bought tires at other places and also have them rotated every 8k miles, but nobody else ever asked me to return. My recent visit was the first time even Costco asked. I thought it might be due to not having full mechanics on duty.

Some places, at least in Canada, don't tell the customer, but if you read the fine print where you sign giving them permission to do the tires, it will likely say you must return for a re-torque within X number of kilometers/miles. When DH used to get his tires changed at Walmart that line was highlighted in yellow. Once you sign you are releasing them of any problems that might arise from a wheel coming off or the holes in the wheel getting "oval'd" due to a loose lug nut.

~Diane

 

[isisdave]

I don't think I've ever been asked to return for retorquing (love that word). As a recent trailer buyer, they do ask that in the paperwork, but no one mentioned it when we picked up the beast and drove it 140 miles home. I have read that it's more important if you have aluminum wheels.

In the above procedure, you need to check the desired lug force BEFORE you buy the wrench, as they come in various ranges. I think Harbor Freight has three or four.

Sam's Club is as good as Costco for service, and if you're a Plus member they open two hours earlier, at which time it's easy to get in, sometimes without an appointment.

 

[Big Matt]

Costco tires come with a road hazard protection plan also.

As for rotating your tires.....if it is free or almost free get it done with every other oil change. If it is a bit more you should weigh the cost vs. the cost of tires. The rotation theory is that it will extend the life of the tires.....but for how much? Same argument holds for alignments.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Never been in a Costco and never felt the desire to do so. I've only bought from Amazon maybe twice in my life. Must be something wrong with me...

George

Too bad. You're missing out on that famous $1.50 Hot Dog and Soda (with unlimited refills). Try it out sometime.




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[Bucky]

The problem with Costco is the wait and limited availability of product when it comes to tires. Checked them out for our RX350 yesterday and they only offered two tires for the 20” wheels and both were also out of stock. Even if the do have a tire in stock you may have to wait hours to get them installed. I like using Discount Tires because they have a wide variety of tires for every size wheel. Also able to buy online shipped to store when needed and make appt and install starts as soon as you check in. Road Hazard Ins avail as an add on cost but sit still as low or lower than Costco, depending on the tire selected. The price also includes free rotations for all of our vehicles, not just the one with new tires.

 

[DaveNV]

When they go to install the new tires, will they be able to see if there's any damage around that wheel?

Yes, they can check for damage. Tell them about it, so they can specifically look. If the rim was damaged, chances are the tire would be losing air. If it's working normally, it's likely fine. But tell them about your concerns.

Dave

 

[wackymother]

Also able to buy online shipped to store when needed and make appt and install starts as soon as you check in. Road Hazard Ins avail as an add on cost but sit still as low or lower than Costco, depending on the tire selected. The price also includes free rotations for all of our vehicles, not just the one with new tires.

That's what you do at Costco, too. I ordered the tires online and used the order number to schedule an appointment when they arrive. Lots of choices for tires online for our very standard Toyota sedan.

 

[Bucky]

Good to know for sure. I just checked again and now I find four different tires at Costco but, three are temporarily out of stock! I’m sure a lot of it depends on what size tire you need. I need 20” ones for ours. One of these days supply will catch up to demand.