When you think of Costco, tires may not immediately come to mind. But they should! Costco Tire Center offers great deals on new tires that beat competitor’s prices.
Why Buy Costco Tires?
As with anything the global superstore sells, Costco tires come with huge benefits. These include lifetime maintenance, tire care, and a warranty that covers mileage, road hazard and manufacturer defects.
If you don’t need new tires, you can visit Costco Tire Center for rotations and safety checks. These are only a few highlights, so read on to learn how Costco Tire Center can save you big money.
Costco Tire Pricing vs Competitors
The first question you may have is, “Are Costco tires really cheaper”? Yes, they are! In addition to everyday low pricing, you can maximize savings by taking advantage of coupons.
There are typically deals on full tire sets from leading brands like Michelin, Goodyear, BF Goodrich, and Bridgestone. (At time of publishing, buyers save $70 on four Michelin tires.) If you aren’t picky about the brand, you can save a lot of money with Costco.
To determine if Costco tires are really cheaper than the competitor, we priced four Michelin tires for a 2018 Toyota RAV4.
- Costco: New set of 4 Primacy MXM4 tires were $789.96 after $70 instant savings with current coupon. (You can save an additional $60 if you pay with Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi.)
- TireBuyer: 4 Primacy MXM4 tires were $204.99, or $819.96 for a set of 4
- Walmart: 4 MXM4 tires were $202.10, or $808.40 for a set of 4
While we chose a particular brand/tire for an unbiased comparison, Costco beats its competitors across other brands. Consumer Reports data reflects that Costco tire prices beat competitors like Tirerack.com, Les Schwab Tire Centers, Tire Barn, and Discount Tire when it comes to average tire prices.
Some online retailers, like Amazon may sell the tire itself for cheaper, but that price doesn’t include installation and balancing fees like it does with Costco.
If you compare with your local tire center, be sure to factor in things like warranty, maintenance service and installation fees.
For example, Town Fair Tire, a small chain in the Northeast, sells the Primacy MXM4 tire for $243 per tire but advertises that they will honor a lower price found elsewhere for consumers.
That said, the tires include free flat repair but not lifetime balancing and inflation pressure checks like Costco.
Costco Tire Benefits
In addition to low pricing, Costco service and lifetime perks stand out. We’ve included our favorite features below:
Nitrogen Fills
For $15 per tire, Costco will install and inflate them with Nitrogen, which retains tire pressure better than compressed air.
This may even improve the fuel economy of your vehicle. Additionally, Costco installs new rubber valve stems when servicing your vehicle.
Tip: Keep your eyes peeled for penny installation deals. Costco frequently runs a promotion for 1 cent tire installation, which can add another $60 in savings!
Hazard Warranty
Also important is the Costco 5-year road hazard warranty. This covers the tires if they are damaged during standard vehicle operation.
To qualify, be sure to keep your original receipt and stay on top of regular rotations and balances suggested by the manufacturer.
The Costco Road Hazard Warranty does not cover tire damage from accidents, vandalism, racing, off-road use, and warn mechanical components. The tires are also only covered on the original vehicle for which they were purchased.
Lifetime Service
Of course, keeping up with service is easy since it’s completely free! The Installation Package also includes lifetime services including pressure checks, tire balancing, flat repairs, and tire rotations.
Simply head into your local Costco Tire Center to take advantage of these services for the entire life of your tires.
How To Buy New Tires At Costco
If you decide to buy a new set of tires at Costco Wholesale or any tire shop, there are a few things you should be prepared to tell your dealer. Here’s how to buy tires at your local Costco:
Tire Wear Signs
Flat tires can typically be repaired if they have not been driven on when flat and the damage is only on the tread section of your tire. You also need new tires if the treads are worn down. Check this by placing a penny in your most shallow tread. See Abe? You need new tires.
Make An Appointment
Visit costcotireappointments.com and log in or create a new account. Note: your tire appointments login information is not associated with your costco.com account.
Don’t skip the appointment. Yes, Costco Tire Center takes walk-ins, but you might be hanging out for 3-4 hours on a Saturday if you don’t have an appointment.
Know Your Tire Size And Type
This will help you make an informed purchase. That information can be found in your owner’s manual and in the tire placard on the driver’s door jamb.
Do you want all-season tires, snow tires, etc.? After installation, keep your warranty booklet and original receipt handy. You’ll need that if you ever need to make a claim.
Tire Care Tips
Since maintaining your new Costco tires is completely free, there’s no excuse not to keep them in tip-top conditions! Here are the best ways to ensure your tires are properly cared for:
- Have a tire professional check your tires’ air pressure at least once a month
- Always request the air pressure is set to your vehicle manufacture’s specifications
- Don’t overload your vehicle
- Follow tire maintenance in the warranty booklet provided upon purchase
- If you need a repair, insist on an RMA approved two-piece tire repair
- Avoid products like “Fix a Flat“
Should You Buy Costco Tires?
Costco Tire Center can save you a lot of change compared to leading competitors. The savings, along with lifetime maintenance of your tire, can easily pay for your warehouse club membership on its own. If this sounds like a good deal, you should head to your local Costco today!
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